Dean Martini sprints for first time in a year
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Dean Martini, winner of the 1 1/8-mile Ohio Derby in June, will shorten back in distance for the first time in a year when he faces eight other 3-year-olds and up in the first of back-to-back allowances Friday at Churchill Downs.
Trainer Tom Amoss said the turnback to the 6 1/2-furlong distance of the eighth race Friday with Dean Martini is “something we’ve been considering doing for a while now.”
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The last time Dean Martini sprinted came last Oct. 31, when he finished third going 5 1/2 furlongs in a maiden race on turf at Santa Anita. Dean Martini showed speed before fading down the stretch in his last two starts, both 3-year-old stakes at 1 1/8 miles.
“We made this decision based on how well he’s trained and how well he’s been able to position himself in these longer races,” Amoss said.
Dean Martini, a Cairo Prince gelding, will have Tyler Gaffalione aboard when he breaks from post 8 in the $89,000 second-level allowance. It’s a competitive race, and Straight Shot, Home Base, and Nifty also will take their share of tote action.
“We’re going to try and run him to his pedigree, which says one turn, and see how he does,” Amoss said.
The second allowance (race 9) is an $89,000 third-level race that drew a field of nine 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles. Silver Prospector, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes here last fall over Tiz the Law, will make his first start since finishing seventh in a division of the May 2 Arkansas Derby. He faces older horses for the first time.
First post daily at this 24-day meet is 1 p.m. Eastern, except for 11:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26.