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Colonel John just misses course record in Wickerr

Colonel John impressed in his turf debut (Benoit Photo) WinStar Farm's homebred COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow) posted an impressive turf, and 2009, debut in Friday evening's $91,970 Wickerr S. at Del Mar, rolling to a two-length score beneath Garrett Gomez. The Eoin Harty charge, who had not raced since his rallying fourth in the December 26 Malibu S. (G1), was always traveling comfortably just off the pace before making his move turning for home. The nearly 5-2 favorite, Colonel John powered to the lead and drew away to finish the firm-turf mile in a sharp 1:32.77, within shouting distance of the course-record of 1:32.21. Becrux (Ity) (Glen Jordan), the winner of the 2006 and 2007 editions of the Wickerr, finished second, a neck ahead of Irish Group 3 victor Ferneley (Ire) (Ishiguru). Early leader Get Funky (Straight Man) wound up fourth after setting fractions of :22 2/5, :45 3/5 and 1:09.

"Geeze, it just felt good to get back in the winner's circle again," said Gomez, who was 2-for-44 at the meet prior to the Wickerr. "I worked this horse the other morning (on the grass) and I squeezed him and he didn't give me a big turn of foot.

"He's one of those colts that's a long strider with a high cruising speed and that's why I put him up in the race today early on the backside. I knew he'd do well to stay close and he did. He was all over with me out there. I was trying to ride him and he was in and out.

"I thought he was running well and then I saw that time. He was really smoking. He was trying hard and he ran good."

"I didn't give Garrett any instructions," Harty said. "I left it all in his hands, and he did fine. He said the horse was getting a little tired toward the end and I told him to look at the tote board and check the time.

"I always felt he could run on the turf. He has a terrific turn of foot in the morning."

Colonel John has now won stakes on dirt, turf, and synthetic surfaces. The Wickerr improved his record to 12-6-2-1, $1,539,012. Successful in the Real Quiet S. and runner-up in the CashCall Futurity (G1) as a juvenile, the bay added the Travers S. (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Sham S. (G3) to his resume at three. Colonel John was slated to make his four-year-old bow in the March 7 Santa Anita H. (G1), for which he was installed as the morning-line favorite, only to spike a fever and have to be scratched.

"I'm really happy he's back," Harty said. "He got sick just before the Big 'Cap and I had a hard time getting him back. In fact, there were times I wasn't sure I could get him back (to the races).

"I've been thinking about running him in the Woodward S. ([G1] on September 5 at Saratoga), but this win might make me change my mind."

The Kentucky-bred Colonel John is out of the winning Sweet Damsel (Turkoman), making him a full brother to this year's Santa Anita Derby third Mr. Hot Stuff, an unraced juvenile filly named Kayce Ace and a 2009 colt named Bills Gone Ropin. He is also a half-brother to the Grade 3-placed Caroline's Gold (Touch Gold) and an unnamed yearling colt by Speightstown.

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