Photo: MEC
Making his first start since a third-place finish Nov. 3 in the
Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners 3-year-old
colt
Capo Bastone raced six-wide on a ‘sloppy’ main track to win
Saturday's ninth race, a 1 1/16th mile allowance event by a head over
the longshot Offlee Fast. Capo Bastone covered the distance in 1:48.16.
Ridden by John Velazquez, Capo Bastone had finished third in the
Breeders' Cup Juvenile behind stablemate Shanghai Bobby. The son of
Street Boss began his career by breaking his maiden in Aug. 2012 at Del
Mar.
“We had a pretty wide trip, I think it was probably more impressive
than the final margin of victory, or what the final time suggested,”
said Pletcher. “He broke cleanly, which kind of put him in a difficult
position and of course at Gulfstream, you don’t want to take away what
is coming easily, and he was all of six wide all the way around the
first turn. He put in a nice run around the backside where we got into
position. He’s the kind of horse who waits on his competition a little
bit. All and all I’m very happy with the race. I think he did get a
little tired on the last part, but the track was also demanding today.
“We'll take a few days to digest everything. We talked about a race
like the Rebel, where timing wise it would work out well, so that’s
still under consideration."