Gosger makes stakes debut a winning one in Lexington

A last out maiden winner at Gulfstream Park, Harvey A. Gosger’s homebred Gosger stretched to two turns with a convincing victory in Saturday’s $400,000 Lexington (G3) at Keeneland, establishing himself as a prospect for the Preakness (G1) on May 17. 

The final qualifier in the Road to the Kentucky Derby Challenge series, the 1 1/16-mile Lexington awarded points on a 20-10-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers, but none of the seven contestants were in position to qualify.

A gray son of Nyquist, Gosger hails from the unraced Tapit mare Gloria S., a half-sister to 2012 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) winner I’ll Have Another, and the Brendan Walsh-trained colt easily handled the stretch out in distance Saturday. Gosger opened his career with a runner-up finish in a six-furlong maiden special weight and graduated next time out over a one-turn mile.

Irad Ortiz Jr. picked up the mount on the 4.30-1 third choice and Gosger stalked an up-close third along the inside as 25-1 outside Bracket Buster showed the way through opening splits in :23.73, :47.62, and 1:12.27. Praetor, the 8-5 favorite, tracked the pacesetter in second but gave way after entering the short stretch drive.

Gosger surged leaving the far turn, angling two-wide to overhaul Bracket Buster and quickly open a commanding advantage. He stopped the teletimer in 1:44.15.

“He’s a really nice horse,” Ortiz said. “He ran a little green down the lane, looking around. I tried to stay straight and keep him focused. He was very impressive. He’s fun to ride. I had a beautiful trip, and he responded whenever I asked him. He was there for me. Everything worked out perfect. Brendan did a great job. I’m happy to be here.”

Bracket Buster, a maiden winner two back at Keeneland last fall and unraced since a fifth to Sovereignty in the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs in last October, held second by 3 1/2 lengths over Praetor. Hypnus came next in fourth and was followed by Bullard, Native Runner, and Hard as Life.

Walsh was asked about what’s next for Gosger.

“We’ll see how he comes out (of this race),” the conditioner said. “I won’t do anything drastic too quick unless he really warrants it. He’s going to be a lovely horse as the year goes on, really, but we’re going to stay calm and pick our spots with him and see how we go. I think you’d hope from today alone that he’d improve.

"Today was obviously his first day going two turns. The next (time) he’ll be mentally sharper, and they just move along and move along.”

Turf will always be an option for Gosger, a half-brother to 2020 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) winner Harvey’s Lil Goil.