Big Invasion outruns Lucci in Texas Glitter Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Big Invasion proved his impressive maiden win here earlier in the meet was no fluke when he duplicated that performance on an even bigger stage, drawing off to a three-length victory over the speedy Lucci in Saturday’s $100,000 Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

With Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano aboard, Big Invasion raced within easy striking distance of the pacesetter Lucci despite being jostled some in the run down the backstretch by Brit’s Candyman. Big Invasion joined the leader turning for home, readily shook clear near midstretch, then extended his advantage under vigorous urging to the wire.

Lucci, whose only loss in three previous starts came in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes late last spring at Ascot, showed the way as expected but proved no match for the winner in the final furlong while easily best of the others. Brit’s Candyman finished third but never posed a serious threat to the top pair at the end.

Big Invasion, a son of Declaration of War, is trained by Christophe Clement for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing. Official final time was listed as 56.03, the race hand-timed following a tele-timer malfunction. He paid $3.60.

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“He’s very special. He’s always shown a tremendous amount of ability,” said Christophe Clement’s son and assistant trainer Miguel Clement. “We were a bit disappointed he got beat first time out, but in hindsight the filly that beat him just finished second here earlier today in a stakes. His next start was impressive and he dazzled us again here today.”

Last Leaf wins Melody of Colors

Last Leaf took advantage of a contentious pace, finishing full of run along the rail under jockey Miguel Vasquez to register a half-length victory over the tepid 3-1 favorite American Starlet in the $100,000 Melody of Colors.

Turning back in distance after finishing fourth in the one-mile Herecomesthebride (Grade 3) Stakes in her previous start, Last Leaf saved ground while racing near the rear of the field for the opening three-eighths of the five-furlong Melody of Colors. Vasquez put Last Leaf to a drive turning for home, found ample room to slip inside the dueling leaders near midstretch, and continued with good energy to be along in the closing strides.

American Starlet took back off the speedy Creative Girl in the run down the backstretch, re-engaged that one on the turn, held a short advantage until late stretch, but could not resist the winner’s final surge. Fawning rallied mildly down the center of the course to finish third, a neck better than the tiring Creative Girl.

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Last Leaf, who was graded stakes-placed when finishing third on the main track in the Grade 3 Forward Gal here earlier this winter, is trained by Ron Spatz for Monarch Stables Inc. She completed the distance over a firm course in :57.40, the final time clocked by hand due to a tele-timer malfunction. She paid $11.20.

“This is what she does best,” said Spatz when asked about the decision to shorten Last Leaf up to five furlongs for the first time this season. “The Not This Time’s seem to go long. But she doesn’t. We did that sprint where she stumbled out of the gate (Forward Gal) and was still able to finish third to get some black type. I was worried a little when some of the other speed horses scratched out of the race. I was a little surprised to see her that far back again. That wasn’t her style early on, but maybe she’s developed a new style now. I don’t think Miguel (Vasquez) had much choice to stay down on the rail, but he hung in there and did the right thing.”