Meteor strikes in Canadian Turf

Last updated: 2/28/09 6:56 PM

Twilight Meteor would not be denied in the Canadian Turf
(Guy Gustafson/Horsephotos.com)

After a 2008 campaign that encompassed only two races, Peachtree Stable’s
TWILIGHT METEOR (Smart Strike) needed just a single allowance/optional claiming
prep to shake off enough rust to set himself up for Saturday’s $150,000

Canadian Turf S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Under John Velazquez, Twilight
Meteor tracked in third behind the front-running Buddy’s Humor (Distorted Humor)
through fractions of :23 4/5 and :48 2/5, engaged that rival after six furlongs
in 1:11 3/5, then edged clear late to garner a length victory in a time of 1:34
1/5 for a mile over the firm turf. The 6-1 fourth choice, Twilight Meteor
returned $14.40, $7.40 and $5.60.

Buddy’s Humor, also at 6-1, held second by a head and paid $8 and $6.20 while
completing the $90.80 exacta. Buffalo Man (El Prado [Ire]), fourth most of the
way, rallied for third at 17-1 and returned $11 while capping the $2,029
trifecta. Three-quarters of a length behind Buffalo Man was Vanquisher (Gulch),
who finished out the $12,050.40 superfecta (9-11-4-7). Passager (Fr) (Anabaa),
Rogue Victory (Victory Gallop), Just as Well (A.P. Indy), Bujagali
(Johannesburg), Sporting Art (Doneraile Court), Delightful Kiss (Kissin Kris)
and Hey Byrn (Put it Back) rounded out the order of finish.

The Canadian Turf was the first graded victory for Twilight Meteor and the
third stakes win overall for the five-year-old. At two, the chestnut captured
the Bourbon S. at Keeneland and at three won the Hallandale Beach S. at
Gulfstream. He also owns placings in the Kent S. (G3), Hawthorne Derby (G3), Sir
Beaufort S. (G3), Fort Marcy H. (G3), as well as the classic Breeders’ S. at
Woodbine. He was most recently fourth in a January 29 allowance/optional claimer
in his first start in nine months.

Sporting a career mark of 17-4-4-3, $575,291, Twilight Meteor might reappear
in the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) at Keeneland on April 10, according to trainer Todd
Pletcher.

Bred in Ontario by Kinghaven Farms, Twilight Meteor was produced by One Over
Prime (With Approval), a half-sister to Canadian champion juvenile fillies
Primaly (Alydeed) and Poetically (Silver Deputy), Grade 1 winner Citronnade
(Lemon Drop Kid) and Grade 3 hero Whiskey Wisdom (Wild Again). He sold for
$150,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling.