Earle Mack’s MR. LIGHT (Arg) (Numerous) took advantage of a pace duel and
flew home late to capture the $100,000
Appleton H. (G3) by a half-length at
Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Piloted by Cornelio Velasquez, the six-year-old
rated off the pace as Host (Chi) (Hussonet) and Gulch Approval (Gulch) dueled
through splits of :24 1/5, :47 4/5 and 1:10 3/5 for the initial six furlongs.
Following the turn for home, Velasquez dipped his chestnut to the outside and
closed with a rush, completing the one-mile firm turf outing in a sparkling 1:32
4/5. Conditioned by Angel Penna Jr., Mr. Light was good for $14.80, $6 and
$3.20, while keying exotics of $22.60 exacta ($1), $51.10 trifecta ($1) and
$221.10 superfecta ($1) at 6-1.
Host turned for home a clear leader and stayed that way until the latter
stages, but was caught late in a game runner-up performance. The 5-2 second
choice gave back $4.20 and $2.60 while 1 1/4 lengths clear of third.
Millennium Dragon (GB) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) was in the perfect striking
position turning for home but came up short in his comeback race. Show paid
$2.60 for the 2-1 favorite. Gulch Approval completed the superfecta at 9-2.
Settle Up (Kris S.) was next and trailed by Quest (Seeking the Gold),
Freefourinternet (Tabasco Cat) and Spruce Run (Repriced), while Remind (Deputy
Minister) was scratched.
Mr. Light was coming off a world record-setting performance in his last race
over this lawn, but was no worse for the wear in here taking his first graded
race. His career line reads 14-5-3-2 from earnings of $167,479, which includes a
Group 2 placing in his native Argentina.
The winner was bred by Firmamento and is out of the highly productive
Luminare (Forlitano), who has produced two other group/graded stakes winners
including Miss Loren (Arg) (Numerous), a leading contender for the Santa Maria
H. (G1) at Santa Anita on Sunday.