In Tune hits high note in Gulfstream allowance; Rosalind
third
What she lacks in experience, In Tune is quickly making up
for in talent.
Making just her second career start, the three-year-old Unbridled’s
Song filly stayed unbeaten with a front-running victory in the
9TH race
feature at Gulfstream Park on Thursday, an entry-level allowance at 8 1/2 furlongs on the main track.
Trained by
Todd Pletcher and ridden by Javier Castellano, In Tune turned back an early challenge from 45-1 long shot
Camille Claudel and drew off to win by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:43.
“With the way the race looked on paper, our strategy was to
let her run away from there,” Pletcher said. “She had to work a little bit the
first quarter, but she seemed to be comfortable and relaxed and kept finding
more. I’m very pleased.”
In Tune, who paid $6.20 for the win as the 2-1 second choice, led through a quarter-mile in :23
2/5 and a
half in :47 1/5, running six furlongs in 1:11 1/5 with Camille Claudel in close
pursuit. Castellano and In Tune began to edge away turning for home, while
Camille Claudel was able to hold off an even 3-2 favorite Rosalind for second by another
2 3/4 lengths.
“I liked the way she relaxed today,” Castellano said. “I
took advantage because I didn’t see much speed in the race the way I handicapped
it. The two fillies I had to beat were come-from-behind horses and I thought I
could get the jump. I love the way she did it. It’s her second time and she’s
stretching out.”
In Tune didn’t debut until breaking her maiden at
Gulfstream going 6 1/2 furlongs on January 12, beating Whomping Willow, who came back
to romp in her next start. Among the horses In Tune beat on Thursday were
Rosalind, third by just a half-length in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and
second in the Alcibiades as a juvenile, and Grade 2-placed Bird Maker, who
finished fourth.
“There was some accomplished fillies in there. To do that
in her second start is a pretty good accomplishment,” Pletcher said. “She was
just later coming in. My dad broke her and since she’s come to us, everything’s
gone according to plan. I think we’ll go to a stake next; I’ve just got to
figure out which one.”
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