12/31/2012 5:26PM

Laurel Park: Called to Serve pulls away in Broad Brush Stakes

By Marty McGee
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Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Called to Serve wins the $125,000 Broad Brush Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths.

Coming off a romping victory in the Grade 3 Discovery Handicap in his latest start, Called to Serve was heavily favored Monday in the $125,000 Broad Brush Stakes at Laurel Park.

The 3-year-old gelding did not disappoint, pulling away late under Joel Rosario and returning $3 to his many backers.

Owned by Marc Ferrell and based in New York with trainer Nick Canani, Called to Serve reeled in front-running Eighttofasttocatch after turning for home in the 1 1/8-mile race and went on to his fourth triumph from 11 career starts. He finished the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:50.78 over a fast main track.

Eighttofasttocatch, the 2-1 second choice, held second, 5 3/4 lengths behind the winner and another five lengths before Hughes Next. A field of seven 3-year-olds and up started after Norman Asbjornson and Hello Lover were early scratches.

Called to Serve, by Afleet Alex, was based in Southern California with two different trainers before coming to Canani this fall. He was beaten just a nose in an overnight stakes in October at Belmont Park in his first start for Canani, then got his first stakes score when taking the Nov. 17 Discovery by nearly five lengths in his next out.

The $2 exacta (1-8) paid a mere $7.60.
 

Marc Ferrell More than 1 year ago
Race Fans: Called to Serve was given a 106 Beyer and Sheet number on the way, I am guessing a -2 (thorograph) as his last number was a -3/4. He ate up and is in great shape back at Belmont last night at 11pm. Thanks for all your input, we will keep you posted on what we do next. Whatever it is, he has to be ready in all ways as this last effort was a big step and want to make sure it did not knock him back. We will know in the next couple weeks after he returns to training. Happy New Years to all!
Derbyologist More than 1 year ago
Thanks for the update Marc. Happy New year as well.
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Good luck. Nice beyer number. Happy New Year.
Neusbaum More than 1 year ago
Donn then Pimlico Special ... Then a freshening and a run at the Whitney! A classic path for a 4yo Championship Run!
Marc Ferrell More than 1 year ago
Love it. That path would work and I like the freshening as it has to be built into any plan.
John O'Boyle More than 1 year ago
Marc, I watched the race today. Very impressive, against a house speed horse. He seemed well within himself. Stay east and give the Donn a shot, the horse deserves it. John O
Marc Ferrell More than 1 year ago
Thanks John.
digid6 More than 1 year ago
Where else are you going to run him? He's crushed the competition in both of his last races and has been extremely dominant. His last two races have justified the jump up in class and your going to get the leading rider at Gulfstream in Joel Rosario. He seems to be the right horse at the right time. Unless Royal Delta, Mucho Macho Man or Fort Larned run, you'd be crazy not to try as good as this horse looks right now. Best of luck.
Marc Ferrell More than 1 year ago
Thanks for the comments. I agree with your thinking. At some point you have to take that next step up and see what you really have.
Gerardo Helguera More than 1 year ago
He looks like a way different horse since I seen him run out here in SoCal for mr. Hoffmans and Peter Eurton. He looks very good and more mature. Call to Serve is the hot horse right now and if the Donn doesn't come strong would be worth a try and it is a Grade 1. Best of luck with this horse.
Marc Ferrell More than 1 year ago
Thanks Gerardo. He is a changed horse. Nick Canani and his team spent hours and hours getting him to settle in the post parades and saddling paddock. He did not turn a hair today and stood in the gate like a classy horse. Thanks for the well wishes.
Marc Ferrell More than 1 year ago
Well horse racing fans, should we take him to the Donn in 5 weeks or to the Strub against 4 year olds in 4? A lot of you guys like to Monday night quarter back and as the owner of Called to Serve, let me hear from you now. Thank You, Marc Ferrell
Jordan More than 1 year ago
As a fan living in SoCal, I would love to see Called to Serve return for the Strub. With the absence of I'll Have Another, Bodemeister, Paynter, and Creative Cause, the Cali based to-be 4 year olds lack a runner of national importance. Nonios is probably the local divsion leader, and he has definitely elevated his game the last few months. At the 9 furlongs of the Strub, he is a formidable foe. Jimmy Creed just proved he has grade 1 talent, but at 9 furlongs he's s huge question mark. I would suppose the Strub could also feature solid but hardly spectacular runners like Rousing Sermon, Blueskiesnrainbows, Liasion, and others of that kind. So, if you go to the Strub I see Called to Serve as no worse than 2nd choice behind Nonios. The Donn offers more money and the prestige of a grade 1. Fort Larned won't be there and Mucho Macho Man is unlikely. I would assume Ron the Greek bypasses the Donn for the Sunshine Millions/Big Cap. Possibles would include Flat Out, Take Charge Indy, Bourbon Courage, Casaba. Flat Out would have to be considered superior to Nonios, and Take Charge Indy and Bourbon Courage appear to be equals with Nonios. Thus, the Strub is likely to draw the softer field of the two, but with the big boys resting or bypassing the race, the Donn field is unlikely to come up exceptionally tough. And the Donn offers more money and the gr.1 designation. The Strub offers prestige as well, given it has featured some of the greatest horses of all time, but cuts to its purse and the loss of its grade 1 status certainly makes it less attractive than it once was. The Strub obviously becomes more attractive if you have designs on running in the Big Cap. In addition to being a prestigious race to win on its own, the Strub would serve as a fantastic prep for the Big Cap. In contrast, trying to pull the Donn-Big Cap double would be asking a lot of Called to Serve.
Marc Ferrell More than 1 year ago
Jordan, thanks for the detailed comments. I agree with you on all fronts regarding who is going where. The main issue for us is my concern of going from Cold to Hot (NY to FL or CA) and the timing of that (do you go now or on top of the race). I believe Invasor won on a ship to FL from NY so it is possible. From what I hear now Fort Larned, Mucho Macho Man and Ron the Greek will not be in the Donn. Looking at the nominations to the Hal's Hope which is a potential prep for the Donn I do not see many that scare us off either. One last point is the purse. Even if you run 2nd in the Donn its $100k and winning the Stub is $120k minus about $10k to ship him across country so financially one race makes more sense. As a California resident and a former groom for Jack Van Berg, I was working when Alysheba won the Stub and Santa Anita Handicap and there would be nothing better for me to run in either of those races, however, its not all about me, its about the horse and how we can best treat him so he is always at his best. Thanks Again
Babette Cade More than 1 year ago
Why ship west at this time of year when he is doing so well in the east?
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Depends upon how he ships cross time zones. A three hour difference in his training regime could upset the applecart. The Strub looks good being for 4 year olds. Not sure he would have much to compete against..Nonios comes to mind. Maybe Mandella's colt who won The Malibu. Don't see The Lumber Guy as a threat going long. Strub a better spot to prep for Santa Anita Handicap. You'll face tough field theiir against Ron The Greek, Game On Dude, prob Fort Larned as well. If you can ship early and stay...go to California. Don't ship back and forth. Called To Serve is doing too well to set him back. Best thing..follow your trainers advice. It seems to be working. CONGRATULATIONS.
Marc Ferrell More than 1 year ago
Thanks Thomas. I think if we decide to go to the Santa Anita Handicap (we would love to go 1 1/4 miles) the Strub is the best logical move due to the training schedule, I could never put him on that tough of a schedule even though he has shown to be a great shipper. I would be asking for trouble. The trainer/owner relationship is the most important to me and Nick is an excellent communicator, very meticulous and gives an honest assessment of the horse. In other words he has yet to blow smoke up my $%&*. Which I respect.
Derbyologist More than 1 year ago
Horse looked good. Probably easier competition in the Strub. But both tracks can lean towards front runners on any given day. Probably smaller field at Santa Anita.
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Also. What about Fair Grounds. You may see Fort Larned there aswell, but not much else unless the Gulfstream division ships there instead of California.
Marc Ferrell More than 1 year ago
We peeked at the Fairgrounds and Oaklawn races. They will make the list depending on what our next step is.
tom More than 1 year ago
maybe the donn your going to have to face these horses at some point and the fact some of them are coming off layoffs it might be the best time to strike and worse comes to worse if he's 100% you can point for the excelsior or carter at aqueduct. hey what ever your decision is i will support Happy New Year and Good luck through out the year!!
Marc Ferrell More than 1 year ago
Thanks Tom
Gerardo Helguera More than 1 year ago
How about the Donn followed by the Charles Town Classic?
Marc Ferrell More than 1 year ago
Called to Serve is a very large horse with a long stride. While I love the purse, it is probably not his best track as its a bull ring style, I ran in it a few years back and that first turn is brutal if your on the inside.
chad mc rory More than 1 year ago
If he is a fractious sort then give him a chance to settle, wherever you go. One thing for sure, do not take Rosario off him.
Marc Ferrell More than 1 year ago
No question. I was very impressed that Joel flew up from FL to ride him. Shows confidence in the horse. He is a tough sort to ride but is settling each day. He would not stand at all on the track in the AM 3 races back. It was pony from barn to track pull up with pony and back to barn. Now he stands 5 minutes before and after his morning routine and walks to the track by himself.
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Gelding makes a huge difference Mr Ferrell. Happy New Year.
BobbyPS11 More than 1 year ago
Nothing wrong with the Strub. He's got all year to face open company.
Big Jeff More than 1 year ago
Paid $3.00...Pony was allover him.