Aqueduct: Redeemed overpowers Discovery rivals to earn first graded win

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Taking command midway around the far turn just as the pacesetter pulled up, Redeemed pulled clear into the stretch to win Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Discovery Handicap as much the best.

Breaking alertly beneath Edgar Prado, Redeemed ($4.90) quickly assumed striking position racing to the clubhouse turn just off early leader Ghost Gunner, while Raison d’Etat and Arthur’s Tale, the co-second choices at 3-1, were caught four and five wide, respectively.

Redeemed stalked the leader from outside down the backstretch through a half-mile in 48.49 seconds, and was moving to challenge on the turn when Ghost Gunner broke down and was quickly pulled up by John Velazquez. Redeemed was briefly challenged by Raison d’Etat turning for home, but spurted away from that rival and remained clear to the wire to score by 2 1/4 lengths. Socialsaul rallied to finish a clear second by 3 3/4 lengths over Raison d’Etat. Arthur’s Tale finished fourth, followed by Eltheeb, Golden Gulch, and Philly Ace, who stumbled badly at the start. Ghost Gunner was vanned off the track.

“I think [Redeemed] is a horse that is moving forward,” said Prado. “Since they put on the blinkers he’s a completely different horse. He got a beautiful trip today. He broke well, was right there, he was pretty handy all the way around.”

As the third winner of the day for meet-leading trainer Richard Dutrow Jr., Redeemed ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.22 over a fast main track, and earned $60,000 to notch his first graded stakes win for Jay Em Ess Stable. The Oklahoma Derby winner carried top weight of 121 pounds, and conceded anywhere from four to seven pounds to seven rivals, while improving to 5-2-0 from seven starts as a 3-year-old.

“I have to tell you, he was very impressive to me today,” said Dutrow. “I was not thinking I was going to see that, but I’m glad I did; very impressive. We put the blinkers on him the last couple of times and that seems to have moved him up a notch, too. He’ll probably run at Gulfstream Park next.”