Visionaire rallies through fog for Gotham

Team Valor and Vision Racing's VISIONAIRE (Grand Slam) enhanced his Kentucky

Derby (G1) credentials with a victory in Saturday's $250,000

Gotham S.

(G3), rallying from last to first under Jose Lezcano for a nose decision. In

dreary, foggy conditions at Aqueduct, Visionaire advanced into contention on the

far turn and overhauled a game Texas Wildcatter (Monarchos) in the final yards

for his initial stakes victory. The Michael Matz-trained colt splashed his way

through 1 1/16 miles on the sloppy inner track in 1:44 3/5.

"We went into the TV room (to watch the race) and couldn't see a darn thing

(because of the fog)," Team Valor's Barry Irwin said. "We couldn't see anything

until the stretch. That's the way to watch a horse race: just watch the last

eighth, then you don't get nervous."

Saratoga Russell (Trippi), the 8-5 favorite, sprinted to the fore and

established early splits in :23 3/5 and :46 1/5 while under pressure. The

pacesetter began to retreat on the far turn as Texas Wildcatter advanced three

wide to the lead, and Visionaire was in full flight at this point making up

ground on the leaders from off the pace. Texas Wildcatter stormed into the

stretch with a clear lead, but the fast-finishing Visionaire would not be denied

in the end.

"I knew there was some speed in the race, and I was in no hurry to ask my horse," Lezcano said. "My plan was just to make one move and come with a strong finish.

I felt I had a lot of horse coming off the turn. I think he showed how good a

horse he was today. He handled everything."

Sent off as the 9-2 third choice, Visionaire returned $11, $5.60 and $3.80.

Texas Wildcatter was off at nearly 6-1 and gave back $5.70 and $3.50. It was 7

3/4 lengths back to 36-1 outsider Larrys Revenge (Vindication), who paid $10.80.

The exacta totaled $84.50, the trifecta $1,305, and the 10-7-8-3 superfecta,

with the near 7-1 Roman Emperor (Empire Maker) in fourth, was good for $6,599.

Ling Ling Qi (Yonaguska), Holidaze (Harlan's Holiday), Southern Terminus (More

Than Ready), Saratoga Russell and 7-2 second choice Giant Moon (Giant's

Causeway) rounded out the order of finish. Laysh Laysh Laysh (Whywhywhy) was

withdrawn.

Bred in Kentucky by Reiley McDonald, Visionaire passed through the sales ring

three times, eventually bringing $220,000 at the 2007 OBS June two-year-old

sale. He's the second foal out of the stakes-placed Scarlet Tango (French

Deputy), who is also the dam of the juvenile gelding Jean Jammin (Cape Town) and

an unnamed yearling colt by Yes It's True. This is the female family of

Grade 3 winner and 2006 Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Point Determined (Point

Given).

A maiden winner second time out in his juvenile finale, Visionaire opened

2008 with a resounding 5 1/2-length allowance score at Gulfstream Park. He

jumped to stakes company next out in the Risen Star S. (G3) at Fair Grounds and

finished third, 2 3/4 lengths back of the winning Pyro (Pulpit). With Saturday's

$150,000 payday, Visionaire has now earned $228,260 from a 5-3-1-1 line.

Visionaire will likely make his final Kentucky Derby prep in the Wood

Memorial (G1) on April 5.