Freedom Principle catches Prevent in Armed Forces Stakes

Freedom Principle backed up an impressive maiden win with a stakes victory Saturday when he tracked the pace en route to a 1 1/4-length win in the $65,000 Armed Forces at Gulfstream Park.

Prevent held second after setting the pace, while it was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third to Reminder.

The Armed Forces was for 2-year-olds and it shared a card with the $65,000 Showing Up for 3-year-olds won by Amstrong. Racing resumes Sunday with a minimum guaranteed pool of $100,000 in the Rainbow 6 jackpot. The 20-cent bet will run on races 4-9.

Freedom Principle ($3.80) tracked Prevent through fractions of 25.68 for the opening quarter, 50.52 for the half-mile and 1:14.25 for six furlongs. Freedom Principle overtook the leader and went on to cover the one mile and 70 yards on Tapeta in 1:42.04.

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Leonel Reyes was aboard the winner for trainer Jose Garoffalo.

Freedom Principle came into the Armed Forces off a more-than-seven-length win in a maiden special weight route Oct. 8 at Gulfstream. He is a son of Flameaway and has now won 2 of 4 starts for earnings of $79,420 for Echo Papa Racing Corp.

In the Showing Up, Amstrong made a three-wide move on the final turn and pushed passed Souper Blessing late to remain unbeaten on Tapeta. Amstrong won by a neck over Souper Blessing, while it was two lengths back in third to Eyes on the King.

Amstrong is now 4 for 4 on Tapeta. Overall, he is 4 for 8.

Amstrong sat off fractions of 24.83 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.46 for the half-mile and 1:13.20 for six furlongs, all set by Eyes on the King. Amstrong went on to cover the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.07.

Miguel Vasquez was aboard for trainer Jose D’Angelo. The son of Tapwrit is owned by Soldi Stable and Ohana Racing.

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