Candy Man Rocket caps Mott's big day with Gulfstream Park Sprint triumph

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - From Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Hallandale Beach, Florida, Saturday was a big day for trainer Bill Mott.

Hours after watching his Casa Creed finish second, beaten a nose, in the 1351 Turf Sprint and Elite Power dominate the Dirt Sprint on the Saudi Cup undercard, Mott put an exclamation point on the day by sending out the ever-improving Candy Man Rocket to a comfortable two-length victory over Uncle Ernie in the $100,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint.

Candy Man Rocket came into the Gulfstream Park Sprint off two impressive allowance victories spaced nearly a year apart, the most recent success a 2 1/4-length decision going six furlongs here on January 21, for which he earned a career-best 94 Beyer Speed Figure.

With regular rider Junior Alvarado aboard, Candy Man Rocket settled within easy striking distance of the speedy pacesetter Super Ocho, who cut out lively early fractions of 21.49 seconds and 44.21 for the opening half. Candy Man Rocket dragged Alvarado to closer contention on the final turn, readily overtook the tiring leader upon settling into the stretch, drew well clear and was not seriously menaced thereafter.

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Uncle Ernie was expected to prompt the early pace but instead sat back near the rear of the seven-horse field in the run down the backstretch before unleashing a steady rally out near the middle of the track to easily prove second-best, finishing 3 3/4 lengths in front of the tiring Lightning Larry.

Cajun’s Magic, the leg-weary Super Ocho, Doc Amster and Scaramouche completed the order of finish.

Candy Man Rocket, a 5-year-old son of Candy Ride, is trained by Mott for Frank Fletcher Racing Operations. He completed six furlongs over a fast track in 1:09.91 and paid $4.80.

“We thought one or both of the horses would go out front and they really were rolling,” Mott said. “We had a great post and our horse didn’t mind being where he was. Junior said he felt like he was doing it the right way.”

Mott said he had not even begun to think about where or when Candy Man Rocket might run next.

“We usually give him time between his races, although I don’t want to give him a year off again,” Mott said with a laugh, referring to Candy Man Rocket’s most recent hiatus. “We’ll probably give him four to six weeks any ways.”

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