The Tampa Bay was eventful at both the start and finish. The 68-1
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Turning into the stretch, Yankee Injunuity put Don Cavallo away, spurted to a
1 1/2-length lead, and was on the verge of springing the upset. Then, as though
looking at the tote board and realizing his status as the longest shot in the
10-horse field, he abruptly put on the brakes. The Tampa Bay was converted into
a free-for-all, and a cavalry charge ensued in the final sixteenth.
Rahystrada, who had made a smart move into second at the head of the lane,
was the first to inherit the lead when Yankee Injunuity called a halt. But the
deep closers were already besieging Rahystrada in those final frenetic yards,
and Doubles Partner proved narrowly best in a four-way scrum at the wire.
Though robbed of the victory by Doubles Partner, Rahystrada salvaged second
by a neck from the flying Voodoo Swinge (Unbridled’s Song), who just failed in
his bid to go last to first. Bearpath (Dynaformer) checked in another neck away
in fourth. Teaks North (Northern Afleet) was beaten a total of 1 1/4 lengths in
fifth, followed by Yankee Injunuity, Don Cavallo, Vanquisher, Union Bowman and
Tannersville (West Acre). The stewards held an inquiry into the incident in the
opening stages, which involved none of the principal finishers, and accordingly
allowed the result to stand. Nicanor (Dynaformer), Leading On (Mt. Livermore) and
Dinner in Odem (Quaker Ridge) were all scratched.
“I had heard how good the turf course is here,” Leparoux said, “and Doubles
Partner just loved it. I rode him for the first time last month (in a February 2
allowance/optional claimer at Gulfstream Park) and he got away slowly, but
because the pace that day was so strong, he put in a big run at the end (for
second). That was his first start after a long layoff, so I think we both
learned something.
“Today he relaxed very nicely for me and I just let him settle behind the
lead group; then when I asked him for run nearing the stretch he responded and
was suddenly going past the leaders. There were three of us at the finish, but I
never doubted he was the winner. I am very grateful that Mr. Pletcher gave me
the mount.”
“I thought it was textbook the way it shaped up,” assistant trainer Mike
McCarthy said. “He was able to find some cover up the backside, and obviously
bided his time around the turn. He was a little late switching leads, but he
came home strong.”
Doubles Partner’s second stakes score advanced his record to 10-4-1-1,
$299,890. The $450,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase took four tries
to break his maiden, but promptly broke through as soon as he switched to the
grass in his juvenile finale. After a successful sophomore bow in a turf allowance in early 2010, he
reverted to Polytrack for the Lane’s End S. (G2) and disappointed in eighth.
Doubles Partner reiterated his preference for turf with a victory in the
American Turf S. (G2) on Kentucky Oaks Day, but suffered his first loss on the
surface when fourth in the June 19 Colonial Turf Cup (G2). Sidelined for seven
months, the bay returned with an encouraging second to Don Cavallo last time, and took a step forward here.
Bred by Arthur I. Appleton in Florida, Doubles Partner is out of the
aptly-named Serena’s Sister (Rahy), a full sister to Hall of Famer, champion and
$3.2 million earner Serena’s Song, who has achieved great success as a
broodmare. Serena’s Song has produced Coronation S. (Eng-G1) queen Sophisticat
(Storm Cat), herself a Group 1 stakes producer; Grade 2 heroes Grand Reward
(Storm Cat) and Harlington (Unbridled); current John B. Connally Turf Cup H.
(G3) scorer Schramsberg (Storm Cat); and multiple stakes heroine Serena’s Tune
(Mr. Prospector), the dam of multiple Group 3 victor Vocalised (Vindication).
Serena’s Sister is also responsible for stakes winner Stormy Venus (Stormy
Atlantic); Sister Rocks (Rock Hard Ten), a juvenile full sister to Doubles
Partner; and an unnamed yearling colt by Midnight Lute.
Another notable member of this female line is Grade 1-winning millionaire
Vacare (Lear Fan).
McCarthy added that Pletcher hopes to start Doubles Partner at Churchill
Downs over Kentucky Derby weekend, implying that the May 7 Woodford Reserve Turf
Classic (G1) is the intended spot.