|
|
Soldat returns triumphant on Gulfstream turf
Soldat, who was perfectly switched off down the backstretch, responded professionally once asked to gain on the leader approaching the far turn. Punctually closing the gap to 1 1/2 lengths at the six-furlong mark in 1:11 4/5, Soldat soon drew alongside Live in Joy and brushed him aside entering the stretch. Opening up rapidly on the field, the impressive winner turned the stretch drive into a triumphal march. The son of War Front clocked 1:35 1/5 for the mile, and threw in a final sixteenth in a dazzling :5 4/5 to complete 1 1/16 miles in 1:41. The payoffs totaled $3.60, $2.60 and $2.60. Fastest Magician got up for second by 1 1/4 lengths from Numb Lips, who caught Live in Joy by a neck. Lighthouse Sound reported home fifth, followed by Mobilizer, Final Count and Flamin' Hot. Soldat, owned by a partnership of Harvey A. Clarke, W. Craig Robertson III, Paul Braverman and Namcook Stable, sports a 10-4-4-0 mark and $617,360 in earnings. Runner-up in his first two starts on dirt, the dark bay promptly broke his maiden in his turf debut in the Grade 3 With Anticipation. He stayed on the grass for the rest of his two-year-old campaign, finishing second in both the Grade 3 Pilgrim and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. The lure of the Kentucky Derby prompted him to revert to dirt at three, with initial success at Gulfstream Park. Soldat demolished an entry-level allowance in the slop, and came back to wire the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth. But he was a lackluster fifth in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, and ran even more poorly in the Kentucky Derby. Expected to regroup on turf last summer, he was sidelined with tender feet, and ended up missing the remainder of 2011. "It's nice to have him back," McLaughlin said. "He trained very well. I didn't give Javier any specific instructions. I didn't know whether he would end up close to the pace or not, but he rode him perfectly and we're pleased to have him ride. "He'll be pointed for a campaign in major turf stakes this year. The options for his next start include the Maker's (46 Mile) at Keeneland (Grade 1 on April 13), the Woodford Reserve at Churchill Downs (Grade 1 on May 5) or the Fort Marcy (Grade 3 at Belmont May 5)." Bred by Brookfield Stud in Kentucky, Soldat was purchased for $180,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. The four-year-old is the first foal from the unraced Coronado's Quest mare Le Relais, who is a half-sister to Grade 3 victress Mulrainy. Grade 2 winner Pine Dance is another notable family member.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
