Don't Get Mad gets off the mark with first winner

Grade 2 hero DON'T GET MAD (Stephen Got Even) sent out his first runner, and

winner, on Saturday when Dontgetgladgetmad got up in time in the 3RD race at

Delaware Park. Last after a sluggish start for Anna Napravnik, the Juan Vazquez

colt uncorked a furious late run worthy of his sire to score by a half-length.

The bay juvenile, who was sent off as the co-third choice at odds of nearly 4-1,

covered five fast-track furlongs in :59 4/5.

Don't Get Mad was a smashing debut maiden winner at two himself, rallying

from far back to romp by six lengths in a six-furlong maiden at Churchill Downs.

The Paul McGee trainee then made it two-for-two in an entry-level allowance

going seven furlongs beneath the Twin Spires. Transferred to Ron Ellis on the

West Coast, he opened his sophomore campaign by placing in the 2005 San Vicente

S. (G2) and San Felipe S. (G2) at Santa Anita.

The B. Wayne Hughes colorbearer revealed that he was a Kentuckian at heart,

though, when making a triumphant return to Churchill in the Derby Trial S.

Despite a slow start, and having to check in traffic, Don't Get Mad galloped to

a seven-length victory. Wheeling back on one week's rest in the Kentucky Derby

(G1), he was hung out 10 wide turning for home, but still finished like a

freight train for fourth.

Don't Get Mad again revealed his fondness for Churchill Downs next time out

in the Northern Dancer S. (G3), where he prevailed handily by 3 1/4 lengths. He

could not make his presence felt when fourth in the Travers S. (G1) and fifth in

the Swaps S. (G2), but wrapped up the season with a rallying three-length score

in the Indiana Derby (G2). After two unplaced runs as a four-year-old, he was

retired with a record of 13-5-1-1 and $793,835 in earnings.

Don't Get Mad is out of the multiple Grade 3-placed Class on Class (Jolie's

Halo), who is a half-sister to Grade 2 heroine Class Kris (Kris S.), herself the

dam of multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Student Council (Kingmambo). Class

on Class is also a half-sister to stakes victor and Grade 1-placed Patriot Act (A.P.

Indy) as well as multiple stakes-placed Classic Approval (With Approval), who

has produced multiple Grade 3 winner Gulch Approval (Gulch) and stakes veteran

Approval Rating (Lemon Drop Kid).

The eight-year-old stallion stands at Spendthrift Farm near Lexington,

Kentucky, for $3,000, live foal.