Dreadnaught gets up by neck

MIAMI - Dreadnaught was running in maiden races over the jumps last summer and was still eligible for his second-level allowance condition on the flats in early October.

Saturday at Calder, he won his second Grade 2 race in less than a month after wearing down Demeteor in the final strides to register a neck victory in the $200,000 .

Under a well-judged ride from regular jockey Jean Luc Samyn, Dreadnaught raced in midpack for more than a mile, rallied four wide with his bid into the stretch, then continued willingly to catch Demeteor nearing the wire. Demeteor prompted the early pace of Certifiably Crazy, forged to command in early stretch, then just failed to last in a game effort. Scooter Roach rallied belatedly to finish third.

Dreadnaught returned $8.20 as the slight favorite in a full field of 12 long-distance turf specialists. He covered the 1 1/2 miles over firm ground in 2:26.60.

"I thought after the Red Smith that would be it for him for the year, but three days later he looked like he hadn't even run," said Tom Voss, who trains Dreadnaught for the Trillium Stable. "So we decided we might as well try this race in Florida. He's the type of horse who does only what he has to to beat the horse in front of him. I think the jump racing helped get him focused and his legs up underneath him. He'll remain a flat horse for now, but since he's a gelding he's always got another career to fall back on later."

Voss said Dreadnaught will be given a break and may not run again until next summer.

Noe: Medallist regains form

Medallist rebounded from three straight disappointing efforts to dominate the $100,000 Kenny Noe Jr. Handicap.

A 3-year-old, Medallist ($11.20) prompted the early pace of Built Up and Weigelia, drew off into the stretch, and coasted home 4 1/2 lengths in front of 49-1 Paradise Dancer. Hasty Kris raced wide and finished third.

Weigelia tired badly after relinquishing the lead and finished seventh as the even-money favorite.

Medallist, who had been beaten 40 lengths in his last three starts after winning the Grade 2 Dwyer and Grade 3 Withers earlier this year, set a stakes record with his time of 1:22.62 for seven furlongs.

A son of Touch Gold, Medallist was ridden to victory by Jose Santos. He is trained by Hall of Famer Allen Jerkens.

"I haven't done anything different with him that I know of, but I'm glad to see him finally run back to his best form," said Jerkens. "It's also good to see him learn to come from just off the pace a little. You can't have a horse going in one direction all the time."

Hooper: Pies Prospect romps

Pies Prospect turned in perhaps the most impressive performance of the day, rallying to an 8 1/2-length decision over Twilight Road in the $100,000 , the fourth and final stakes on the Grand Slam II card.

Pies Prospect ($8.40) gave jockey Edgar Prado his second stakes winner on the program and completed a special all-stakes pick four wager that paid $1,079.10 for a $1 ticket.

Pies Prospect raced well placed while saving ground during the early stages of the nine-furlong Hooper. He angled out to commence his rally around the final bend, easily wore down the tiring Hear No Evil nearing the eighth pole, then drew off with authority through the final furlong.

Twilight Road rallied mildly down the middle of the track to finish second. A Huevo, the 2-1 favorite, broke slow, raced rankly into the clubhouse turn, stopped badly, and finished last, more than 32 lengths behind the winner.

Trained by Nick Zito, Pies Prospect covered the distance in 1:50.74.