Apalachee Bay takes easy Count Lathum triumph

Apalachee Bay proved a middle distance is well within his reach with an easy front-running victory in the $50,000 Count Lathum at Northlands Park on Saturday.

He paid $5.40 for his 5-length victory over Regal Max in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds.

Apalachee Bay has come a long way in a short time. The Count Lathum was his fifth race since he debuted at Golden Gate Fields on March 23, and in his last start he won a maiden special weight race going 6 1/2 furlongs at Hastings. With his impressive victory he established himself as the local favorite for the Grade 3, $150,000 Canadian Derby on Aug. 25. If he runs in the Derby he will have to negotiate four turns while going 1 3/8 miles.

With Rigo Sarmiento aboard, Apalachee Bay broke sharply and under mild pressure from Regal Max he posted a quarter-mile time of 24.35 over a track rated “good.” He was 1 1/2 lengths clear of Regal Max after six furlongs in 1:13.81, and then took complete control of the race on the stretch turn. Regal Max held on well to finish 4 1/2 lengths in front of For Mac, who rallied late.

The final time was 1:46.46.

A Kentucky-bred son of Malibu Moon, Apalachee Bay is trained by Phil Hall for owner Peter Redekop.

“He’s just getting better,” Hall said. “He ran well in both of his races at Hastings and he ran huge today. I’ll talk it over with Peter and Bryan to see where he’s going to run next. Wherever he goes, I want to go with him.”

Hall was referring to Bryan Anderson, Redekop’s racing manager.