Danger to Society, Free Country give McPeek sweep of
Gulfstream allowances
Trainer Kenny McPeek enjoyed an excellent afternoon at Gulfstream Park on
Thursday when sending out DANGER TO SOCIETY (Harlan’s Holiday) and FREE COUNTRY
(Big Country) to allowance victories in their three-year-old debuts. Both colts
were exiting debut wins over maiden special weight rivals at Churchill Downs,
and they’re now likely headed to stakes company, embarking on a possible path
toward the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Danger to Society completed 1 1/8 miles over the fast track in 1:51.16, and
Free Country stopped the teletimer in 1:51.19 two races earlier.
In the
8TH
race, Idol Maker (Empire Maker) showed the way from the rail after the break
with Danger to Society, who broke from post 2, in close pursuit. Idol Maker hit
the quarter in :24 with a length lead but had his advantage cut to a
half-length through a half-mile in :48 1/5. Jockey Robby Albarado, aboard Danger
to Society, was between the
pacesetter and A. P. Cardinal (A.P. Indy) leaving the backstretch and asked his
mount for run midway through the final bend. The bay colt responded with a
strong turn of foot to seize control entering the stretch, and he led by 1 1/2
lengths when passing the mile mark in 1:37 4/5. Danger to Society drew off to
win by a 3 1/2-length margin.
Favored at 6-5, Danger to Society was followed by 7-2 third choice A. P.
Cardinal under the wire. The late-running They’re Late (Mineshaft) rallied for
third, a half-length back back of the runner-up and three parts of a length
better than 5-2 second choice Idol Maker in fourth. Bruce N Autumn (Lemon Drop
Kid), D. C.’s Legacy (Mr. Livingston), Abe is Honest (Spanish Steps) and Awesome Mich (Awesome Again) rounded out the order of finish. Theregoesjojo (Brahms) was
scratched.
The Kentucky-bred winner is out of the Deputy Minister mare Elrose, who
counts 1997 Kentucky Derby winner and champion three-year-old Silver Charm
(Silver Buck) as a
half-brother. The dual classic winner fell short of the Triple Crown when
finishing second in the Belmont S. (G1). Bred by Starlight Stables and owned by
Lansdon Robbins III and Samuel Delaney, Danger to Society was purchased for $300,000 at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July sale.
In the
6TH
race, Da Gullah (More Than Ready) and Atomic Rain (Smart Strike) showed speed
from the start, with the former holding a slight edge through :23 3/5 and :47
1/5 splits as Free Country stalked the pace in fourth along the rail. Atomic
Rain looked strong as he took command on the far turn, getting six furlongs in
1:12, but Free Country found plenty of room to rally approaching the stretch and
surged to the lead, appearing momentarily like he was going to open up
by a clear margin. Atomic Rain quickly battled back as Free Country reached the
mile mark in 1:38 with a head advantage, but he never drew even as Free Country
remained in control through the stretch drive, eventually winning by a neck.
Free Country was the near 5-2 second choice, and Atomic Rain went favored at
9-5. Stately Character (Pleasant Tap) finished another 2 1/2 lengths back in
third at 44-1 and was followed by Pressure Point (Point Given), Sincero
(Repent), Stormalory (Storm Cat), Da Gullah and Bounissimo (Cherokee Run) under
the wire.
Bred in Kentucky by George Brunacini and Bona Terra Farm, Free Country sold
for $10,500 as a weanling at the 2006 Keeneland November sale. The Silver Wing
Stable colorbearer is out of Smyrna (Wild Again), who is a half-sister to Grade
3 winner Illeria (Stop the Music), the dam of Grade 1-winning millionaire and
sire Include (Broad Brush).