Garter and Tie romps in Ocala Stakes

Garter and Tie may have stamped himself the early favorite for the $75,000 Carry Back on June 29 when rallying to a resounding 10 1/2-length victory over Seismic Jolt in Saturday’s $75,000 Ocala Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

With regular rider Jeffrey Sanchez aboard, Garter and Tie dropped back as usual well off the early pace in the 6 1/2-furlong Ocala. One of the top 2-year-olds on the grounds last season but still winless in 2019 coming into the race, Garter and Tie launched his rally leaving the backstretch, was full of run continuing his bid outside the leaders into the stretch, and readily ran by, steadily widening his advantage through the final furlong.

Seismic Jolt, making his first start in four months, raced forwardly throughout and while no match for the winner out-lasted Cafe Du Monde by a head to be second. Gladiator King, easy winner of the Grade 3 Hutcheson earlier this spring, was done before five furlongs, fading steadily to finish a well-beaten fifth in a field of seven 3-year-olds.

Garter and Tie, a homebred son of Brooks 'n Down owned by Jacks or Better Farm, paid $4.80 after completing the distance in 1:15.92 over a fast track.

“It’s nice to see him win one where he didn’t grind it out. Today, he ran by them,” trainer Ralph Nicks said. “He settled a little more early and let the pace go. He built up a head of steam and kept running. He’s starting to mature. He behaved himself better in the paddock today. There are little things that he’s starting to do better than in the past.”

Nicks said he’ll use the Carry Back on the rich Summit of Speed card at Gulfstream Park as a stepping-stone to his next major goal for Garter and Tie, the Grade 2 Amsterdam at Saratoga on July 28.