Four Wheel Drive wins debut in Rosie's Stakes; Futurity at Belmont could be next

NEW KENT, Va. – Four Wheel Drive has gears.

Shipped in from Saratoga for his career debut by trainer Wesley Ward, the 2-year-old American Pharoah colt skipped to an easy 3 1/4-length victory Saturday night at Colonial Downs in the $100,000 Exacta Systems Rosie’s Stakes.

Jorge Vargas Jr. picked up the mount on this modestly sized but racy bay colt, and both horse and rider performed professionally. Four Wheel Drive broke alertly, sat second behind pacesetting So Street, took command at the top of the stretch, and scored comfortably.

The timing system malfunctioned in this race. No fractions were posted and the 1:00.84 clocking for 5 1/2 furlongs on a firm, fast turf was hand-timed.

“He thought he had won the race when he made the lead,” Vargas said.

Vargas gave Four Wheel Drive ($4.60) a couple reminders and the colt went on about his business. Vargas said his mount relaxed well during the race and galloped out with good energy, but Ward nixed any immediate plans for stretching Four Wheel Drive out to a route.

“Nope. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint is what we’re looking at,” said Ward, reached by phone after the race. “I have to talk to the owners and everyone associated with the horse but the Futurity at Belmont [over six furlongs on turf] is where I’d like to run him.”

Four Wheel Drive is by American Pharoah out of Funfair, by More Than Ready. He was purchased as a yearling for $525,000 – Ward said he was part of the team that picked him out – and bought back at a 2-year-old training sale after failing to meet a hefty $825,000 reserve. Mike Hall’s Breeze Easy owns Four Wheel Drive, who would’ve debuted in a Saratoga maiden turf sprint had one come up at the right time.

So Street held second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of rail-rallying Torres Del Paine.

Kitten’s Joy: Doc Boy rallies from last

Doc Boy ($3.20) wore down a stubborn Cadet Connelly to capture the $100,000 Kitten’s Joy, a 1 1/16-mile grass race for 2-year-olds.

On the lead when he easily won a turf maiden race at Colonial earlier this month, third-time starter Doc Boy rallied from last of four under Feargal Lynch, hitting the front in the final furlong and holding off a stubborn runner-up. The Quantico Kid rallied late for third while Majestic John’s brought up the rear. Jack the Ripper, Food and Wine, and Field Pass were scratched. The winner got home by three-quarters of a length and was timed in 1:43.81 on a firm, fast-playing course.

Doc Boy, owned by Rick Kanter, is a son of Into Mischief and Peggy May, by Lemon Drop Kid. He’s trained by Mike Stidham, who won his second race on the card following Marshall Law’s victory in the opener.