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Chatain scores in Hal's Hope Lazy F Ranch's CHATAIN (Forest Wildcat) took the lead in midstretch and held off a strong rally by Sir Greeley (Mr. Greeley) to annex the $100,000 Hal's Hope H. (G3) over the fast main oval at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Breaking alertly beneath Cornelio Velasquez, the Angel Penna Jr.-trained four-year-old rated in midpack early off the pace set by longshot Rexson's Rose (Suave Prospect), who set splits of :23 2/5, :45 4/5 and 1:08 4/5 for the opening six furlongs. As the field turned for home, 6-5 choice Sweetnorthernsaint (Sweetsouthernsaint) took a brief lead but could not hold off the rally by the winner, who paid $17.80, $7.40 and $4 at nearly 8-1. Chatain reached the wire in a quick 1:33 4/5, setting a new track record in the process. The winner was also present when the old track record of 1:34 was set in an allowance by Showing Up (Strategic Mission) last March, finishing 2 1/4 lengths second to that rival in that event. "I bought this horse at the Saratoga yearling sales for Mrs. (Martha) Gerry, and I've loved him from the beginning," Penna explained. "After his first two races down here last winter he had a lot of things go wrong -- quarter cracks or running a temperature -- it was one thing after another. Hopefully we're past that now." Sir Greeley, the 5-2 second choice, closed well but fell just short in here. The runner-up was worth $4.80 and $2.80 while completing the $48.30 exacta ($1). Sweetnorthernsaint retained the show spot, paying $2.40 and ending the $161.30 trifecta ($1). The late-running Rehoboth (Wagon Limit) was another four lengths in arrears and sat on the bottom of the $918 superfecta ($1) (5-9-3-8) at 16-1. Strong Contender (Maria's Mon), the 7-2 third choice, was next and trailed by Istan (Gone West), Rexson's Rose, Edenwold (Southern Halo), Carrots Only (Defrere) and Indy Wind (A.P. Indy). Big Lover (Ecton Park), Ecclesiastic (Pulpit) and Yes Yes Yes (Yes It's True) were withdrawn. Chatain upped his mark to 4-3-1-0 with earnings of $107,730 in winning his stakes debut. He was bred in Kentucky by Stonerside Stable and produced from the multiple stakes-winning Roujoleur (Red Ransom), making him a half-brother to the unraced three-year-old Battle Drum (War Chant). Chatain was purchased for $250,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling. Next up for him is the February 3 Donn H. (G1). "The goal all along has been the Donn," Penn said. "Now we'll have to see if he can bounce back well enough from this one to take that step up."
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