Taking
advantage of a quick pace, Gallant Son rallied for the most significant win of
his career in the $100,000 Inglewood Handicap on Sunday at Hollywood Park.
The
Grade III was reduced to a field of nine after the scratches of Monterey Jazz,
who had finished second behind Bold Chieftain in the San Francisco Mile at
Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, and Compari, the 7-5 morning line favorite who
was declared Sunday morning by trainer Marty Jones due to a bruised foot.
Providing
owners Chris and Diane Randall with their first victory in a graded race,
Gallant Son made a four wide bid around the final turn to join the tiring
leaders – the half mile fractions set by longshot Rummysecret War and Red Alert
Day was 45.42 seconds, then went to win by 1 ¾ lengths under Mike Smith.
Trained
by Frank Lucarelli, the 4-year-old Malabar Gold colt out of the Exploit mare
Explicitly completed the 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf in 1:39.67. The win was
his second in three races on grass. He was second in his lone defeat on the surface.
“It
set up great,’’ said Smith, who also won the 2009 Inglewood
with Madeo. “I was going to try and cut the corner, but I knew that Acclamation
(who wound up fourth as the narrow 3-1 favorite) always gives a good kick and I
didn’t want to get myself in a pickle. I felt like he was the best horse, so I
just stayed clear and he did the rest. They were smoking up front.’’
The
3-1 second choice, Gallant Son returned $8.20, $5 and $4. Quindici Man, the
second longest shot in the lineup at 29-1, finished second, a half-length in
front of Glowing Praise, who was nearly 22-1. Quindici Man returned $17.80 and
$9.60. Glowing Praise paid $11.80 to show.
After
his first win in a stakes at Hollywood
Park,
Lucarelli indicated Gallant Son could return in the $250,000 Shoemaker Mile. A
Grade 1 on turf, the Shoemaker will be run on Memorial Day (Monday, May 31) at Hollywood
Park.
“He
can hang a little bit, but he went on with it today,’’said Lucarelli. “I was a
little worried, but around the eighth pole I looked back and I didn’t see
anybody coming.
“This
race probably confirmed that he’s a notch above on turf what he is on dirt. We
were not really considering anything, but I guess the Shoemaker is a
possibility now.’’