Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Collaborate wins on his own
COLLABORATE
Feb. 27, 5th race Gulfstream, MdSpWt45k
Beyer: 90
1 mile 1:36.35, 1st by 12 1/2 lengths b. c. 3, Into Mischief – Quiet Temper, by Quiet American
Auctions: Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select 2019 – $600,000
Owner: Three Chimneys Farm and eFive Racing Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Breeder: Three Chimneys Farm
Exciting prospect, obviously impressive win. Had the benefit of race coming into this start, his debut a sprint on a sloppy track that yielded a useful fifth-place finish. Here, stretched to a one-turn mile, he broke alertly and made the lead without being used, cruising along without pressure until about the quarter pole. A longshot challenger came up to give him a go, but Collaborate shrugged him off with ease, was asked for another gear by jockey Tyler Gaffalione, and immediately provided one. Was only moderately urged through the final furlong while steadily widening his advantage and cruising under the wire. As good as the actual performance was, its pointers toward this colt’s future were at least as encouraging. He’s made like a true route horse and gallops along like a colt who will have little trouble sustaining his pace at nine furlongs and beyond. The deeper-generation pedigree has plenty of substance, and while this clearly was a case of a talent advantage making things relatively easy on a horse, there clearly was a lot to like about this showing.
PASS THE CHAMPAGNE
Feb. 27, 1st race Gulfstream, MdSpWt45k
Beyer: 85
7f 1:23.18, 1st by 2 1/2 lengths ch. f. 3, Flatter – Champagne Taste, by Distorted Humor
Noteworthy sibling: Miss Kentucky (Blame) – G3 winner, $230K earnings; Derby Champagne (Pulpit) – $238K earnings; Los Borrachos (Pulpit) – $318K earnings
Auction history: None
Owner: R.A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Rock Ridge Racing, BlackRidge Stable
Trainer: George Weaver
Breeder: Preston Madden
Ran into the exciting Slumber Party first time out, finishing a distant second, and was heavily favored here off that debut run. Not nearly as flashy as Collaborate later on this card but very solid while pulling a wide trip from an outside draw. Traveled comfortably from the start, keeping up around the turn without being asked, and when gently called upon approaching the quarter pole she reached out, took the lead, and set about completing the task. Nice, springy, bounding strides to the wire while never seriously threatened, albeit under moderate pressure from the rider. Would think there’s decent middle-distance potential here but not sure much more than 1 1/16 miles will be ideal.
AMERICAN PRINCE
Feb. 28, 3rd race Gulfstream, MdSpWt40k
Beyer: 82
6f 1:10.40, 1st by 3 1/2 lengths b. c. 3, Liam’s Map – Precious Soul, by Distorted Humor
Noteworthy siblings: Remarkable Soul (Medaglia d’Oro) – $105K earnings (11 starts), 88 Beyer
Auctions: None
Owner: Irving Cowan
Trainer: Ralph Nicks
Breeder: Irwing Cowan
Cowan homebred out of a dam who is a sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Society Selection, though fact is she is the only one of these last two generations to make much of a splash. This colt is racy-looking and speedy, breaking just moderately but urged between horses to make the front in this dirt-sprint debut. Had the speed to get there, and once on the lead, the rider easing up, the colt relaxed and rated around the turn. Raced somewhat greenly while under pressure to maintain his lead, which he did comfortably, and did not gallop out like a horse looking for much more ground. Above-par debut performance for sure, but we’ll have to see where that leads.
MOLTO VIVACE
Feb. 27, 9th race Oaklawn, MdSpWt86k
Beyer: 80
6f 1:12.14 (sloppy, sealed), 1st by 3/4 lengths b. c. 3, Maclean’s Music – Deeds Not Words, by Street Sense
Auctions: Keeneland November breeding 2018 – $55,000; OBS spring 2-year-old 2020 – $50,000
Owner: Bloom Racing Stable
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Breeder: International Equities Holdings
On the one hand, this was more impressive than the bare margin of victory given the circumstances of the colt’s journey. On the other, he benefited from a wide draw that led to a very wide trip on a sodden day of sloppy-track racing where it was a good idea to lose all the ground.
Winner after winner raced many, many paths off the fence on a card where being on the early lead was a recipe for failure. This colt, making his second start, actually broke right with the leaders but was outrun early while dropping into a stalking position. He was edging closer to the front at the half-mile pole when a horse came outside him with a bid, leaving Molto Vivace back behind the lead group, still stalking. This, in the end, allowed the rider to come around everyone after straightening for the wire, Molto Vivace getting on terms at the furlong grounds before pushing clear and galloping out solidly enough. Fits into the “solid but unspectacular” mold but already has run right past the $50,000 2-yearold in training purchase price.
CELLIST
Feb. 28, 6th race Gulfstream, MdSpWt40k
Beyer: 81
1 1/16M turf 1:42.21, 1st by 1 1/4 lengths b. c. 3, Big Blue Kitten – Cello, by English Channel
Owner: Calumet Farm
Trainer: Rusty Arnold
Breeder: Calumet Farm
Had a wide draw and was edgy in the gate but broke all right and had the positional pace to work his way into a favorable pressing trip, getting over to the 2-3 path into the first turn. Was a relatively straightforward task from there, as he took aim on the leader in upper stretch and got the better of him inside the final furlong while under steady pressure. Crossed the line decently, but the third-place finisher quickly whizzed by him on the gallop out. Second-time starter had trouble in his debut and the form looks pretty good after two races, especially in a division (3-year-old turf route) that looks fairly thin at the moment.