Coppola gets up in final strides of Gulfstream Turf Sprint for first stakes win

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Coppola became a stakes winner for the first time and did it in game fashion, rallying from off a blistering pace before getting the better of the red-hot Panther Island to register a half-length victory in Saturday’s $125,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint.

Coppola, who finished 1 1/4 lengths behind Panther Island after contesting the early pace in the Janus Stakes here on Dec. 31, rated off the early leaders, That’s Right and Hope in Him, in the rematch. The speedy duo posted splits of 20.38 seconds and 42.62 for the opening quarter- and half-mile of the five-furlong Gulfstream Turf Sprint.

Coppola commenced his bid into the stretch, split horses while moving to close contention a furlong from the wire, came inside Panther Island to continue his bid before ultimately sticking his head in front in the closing strides.

Panther Island raced within easy striking distance just off the embattled leaders, gained command from outside that duo after a half-mile, dug in bravely when engaged by Coppola at midstretch, but could not last. Eamonn rallied from far back, finishing full of run to be third, another half-length behind Panther Island.

Carotari, never far back while well placed outside horses, lacked a final bid and finished fourth as the 3-2 choice. He was the seventh straight losing favorite on the card for Eclipse Award champion, and the meet’s leading rider, Irad Ortiz Jr.

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Coppola, a 5-year-old son of Into Mischief, is trained by Dale Romans for Hammer Time stable and SOK Racing. He completed the distance over the firm going in 54.39 and paid $10.80.

“The trip came up perfect, they went out there with a lot of speed, and he’s run some of his best races sitting right off of them,” Romans said. “That was probably his best race to date. I thought we were sitting pretty when I saw those fractions and the final time was good, too. They finished up running.”

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