It may not have been an artistic success, but Stradivinsky triumphed as the 11-10 favorite in the $58,800 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Jan. 23 in south Florida.
Ridden by Julien Leparoux, the hard-knocking 8-year-old gelding ran five furlongs over a "good" turf course in :56.69 for his 14th career win from 35 starts. Claimed for $50,000 last May at Churchill Downs, the Florida-bred son of Stravinsky out of the Apalachee mare Lubicon defeated four rivals for his fifth win in the past seven races, all on turf.
Out-sprinted for the lead by 11-1 shothot Retire to What, Stradivinsky chased the pacesetter in second before taking the lead in mid-stretch. Under pressure from Leparoux, Stradivinsky was all out to prevail over 6-5 second choice Great Attack by 1 1/4 lengths.
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