Michael Dubb, Jack Mandato and Bethlehem Stables’ STRADIVINSKY (Stravinsky)
wasn’t able to cut the mustard in the November 6 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G2),
but the reformed claimer found a much easier spot in Sunday’s $58,800
Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint S. and duly obliged. In so doing, the
eight-year-old put himself forward for another chance in the international
spotlight, the March 26 Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-G2) on Dubai World Cup night.
Sent off as the slight even-money favorite, the Rick Dutrow charge stalked
the early leader Retire to What (Snow Ridge) through an initial quarter in :21
4/5, tackled him at the half-mile mark in :44 2/5, and gradually edged away.
Although 6-5 second choice Great Attack (Greatness) loomed boldly in deep
stretch, Stradivinsky kept finding more for Julien Leparoux and actually
extended his margin to 1 1/4 lengths at the wire. The winner stopped the
teletimer in :56 3/5 on the good turf and paid $4.20, $2.20 and $2.10.
“I thought I was going to go right out to the lead, but he really didn’t put
me in the race like I thought he was going to,” Leparoux said. “After that I
just sat for a little bit, and when I asked him, he ran on well.”
Dutrow expressed some concern about the fact that Stradivinsky raced on his
left lead down the stretch.
“I have mixed feelings,” Dutrow said. “I’m happy with the outcome. I’m happy
he got there first and he was able to settle, but I have mixed emotions because
I didn’t like the way he didn’t change leads.
“We’re looking for a big race, so if we get an invite to Dubai we’ll likely
go,” Dutrow said. “But, again, I have mixed emotions.”
Great Attack finished 1 1/4 lengths clear of the mare Ahvee’s Destiny (Rizzi),
who was in turn 2 1/4 lengths ahead of a fading Retire to What. Carte Blanche
(Put It Back) anchored the field for the duration, while Strike the Tiger (Tiger
Ridge) and Yankee Injunuity (Yankee Victor) were scratched.
Stradivinsky, who was claimed by his current connections for $50,000 out of a
win at Churchill Downs last May 27, sports a career mark of 35-14-2-6, $572,337.
The bay gelding had back class, as evidenced by his romp in the 2007 Jacques
Cartier S. and his thirds in the 2007 Highlander S. (Can-G3) and the 2006 Lord
Juban S. and Donthelumbetrader S. Stradivinsky was sidelined for nearly 22
months, and after his return in the spring of 2009, he descended into the
claiming ranks. By early 2010, Stradivinsky was regaining the winning habit. In
his first start off the claim for Dutrow, he captured the July 17 Jaipur S.
(G3), his fourth win in a row. The streak ended when he finished a close third
in the September 6 Turf Monster H., and he then retreated to 13th in the
Breeders’ Cup.
Bred in Florida by Live Oak Stud, Stradivinsky is out of the Apalachee mare
Lubicon, who was honored as Canada’s champion three-year-old filly in 1990
following wins in the Bison City S., Ontario Damsel S. and Star Shoot S.
Stradivinsky is a half-brother to the stakes-placed Luricon (Lure), the dam of
current John Franks Juvenile Fillies Turf S. winner Salsa Bullet (Omega Code).
This is the same female family as dual Grade 1 victor Hal’s Hope (Jolie’s Halo)
and Grade 2 heroine Mia’s Hope (Rexson’s Hope).
Gulfstream also staged a pair of notable allowance/optional claimers on
Sunday. Multiple Grade 1 veteran Presious Passion (Royal Anthem) scratched out
of the
4TH
race in favor of Saturday’s Sunshine Millions Turf, but the event may have
showcased a rising turf star in Correas Thoroughbreds’ MORYBA (Brz) (Hard Buck [Brz]).
Hero of the August 1 Grande Premio Brasil (Brz-G1) in his final start in his
homeland, the dark bay made a promising North American debut here for Bill Mott.
Moryba was well placed in fourth by Kent Desormeaux, about two lengths off
the pace established by Tannersville (West Acre) through fractions of :25, :50
2/5, 1:15 1/5 and 1:39. Smoothly gaining ground inside the final furlong, Moryba
eased past the longtime leader and drew off by two convincing lengths. The
slight second choice at 2-1, he took 1:50 4/5 to negotiate 1 1/8 grassy miles.
Rounding out the small but talented field were Never on Sunday (Fr) (Sunday
Break [Jpn]), 2-1 favorite Pinckney Hill (A.P. Indy) and Yate’s Black Cat (Black
Minnaloushe). Lethal Combination (Broken Vow) joined Presious Passion on the
sidelines.
With this successful U.S. premiere, Moryba’s scorecard stands at 12-4-2-3,
$506,290. Besides his Group 1 trophy, his resume also includes scores in the
2009 Grande Premio Conde de Herzberg (Brz-G2) and Classico Sandpit. He has
placed in the 2009 Grande Premio Joja Adhemar de Almeida Prado (Brz-G1), Grande
Premio Linneo de Paula Machado (Brz-G1) and Grande Premio Mario de Azevedo
Riberio (Brz-G3) as well as the 2010 Grande Premio Sao Paulo (Brz-G1).
Moryba, a five-year-old by Northern Hemisphere reckoning, was produced by the
Group 3-placed Valetza (Baronius), and his second dam is multiple Group 1-placed
Mayerling (Derek).
The
9TH race was supposed to be all about returning Louisiana Derby (G2) winner
Mission Impazible (Unbridled’s Song), but LMR Stables’ CAIXA ELETRONICA (Arromanches)
upstaged the 3-5 favorite. One of only two in the field entered for the $62,500
tag, the 6-1 shot prompted the pace, struck the front turning for home, opened
up an insurmountable lead, and completed the one-turn mile in 1:36 3/5 on the
fast track.
The Todd Pletcher-trained Mission Impazible, who had been right along with
Caixa Eletronica chasing the early leader, began to come under a ride nearing
the far turn. While he could not keep up with the winning move, the prohibitive
favorite gave dogged pursuit and whittled the margin down to 2 1/2 lengths.
Mission Impazible was himself 2 3/4 lengths clear of third in a useful
performance off the bench, his first since a ninth-place effort in the Kentucky
Derby (G1).