Candy Man Rocket rebounds with sharp Runhappy Stakes triumph
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ELMONT, N.Y. - Candy Man Rocket rebounded from his last-place finish in the Count Fleet Stakes at Oaklawn Park last month with a perfect-trip, 1 1/2-length victory over Twisted Ride in Saturday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Runhappy Stakes at Belmont Park.
It was a half-length back to Stage Left in third. Drafted, last year’s Runhappy winner, was fourth, followed by Beren, the 7-5 favorite, and Mr Phil.
Candy Man Rocket had brought a three-race winning streak into the Count Fleet. But he came unglued in the paddock for that race, chased a hot pace, and backed up.
On Saturday, Mott said Candy Man Rocket again got “wound up” in the paddock, but once he got on the track, he settled down.
In the Runhappy, Candy Man Rocket sat third, 1 1/2 lengths behind dueling leaders Twisted Ride and Beren, who went a half-mile in 45.15 seconds.
Candy Man Rocket, getting a clear outside trip, joined the leaders at the top of the lane and, despite remaining on his left left lead, he gradually edged clear.
“At least he showed up,” said Mott, who trains Candy Man Rocket for Frank Fletcher Racing Operations. “The other day he just spit it out. He can run. Just got to get the right trip.”
Alvarado said Candy Man Rocket is a horse who needs assistance to switch his leads. He noted that the browband, on top of the bridle, came off and "I didn’t want to start messing with the reins too much,” Alvarado said. “He was still running pretty fast. I didn’t want to bother him.”
Candy Man Rocket, a son of Candy Ride, won for the sixth time in 11 starts. He covered the six furlongs in 1:09.33 and paid $7.40. He was given a 97 Beyer Speed Figure.
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