Gulfstream Park: Micromanage falls into perfect trip from post 10 in Skip Away

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Parlay an outside draw, the addition of blinkers and, more importantly, the red-hot duo of trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Javier Castellano, and what does it all add up to? A convincing 4 1/4-length victory by Micromanage in Saturday’s $100,000 Skip Away at Gulfstream Park.

Micromanage finished a non-threatening seventh after breaking from the rail in the Grade 3 Mineshaft at Fair Grounds. But he wound up with a perfect, pace-stalking trip under Castellano after leaving from the extreme outside in a field of 10 older horses in the Grade 3 Skip Away. Micromanage set up shop just off the contested pace of Sr. Quisqueyano and Nevada Kid, moved to command in early stretch and readily edged well clear. Norumbega, who was supplemented into the 1 3/16-mile Skip Away by trainer Shug McGaughey, raced wide and rallied mildly to finish second, three lengths in front of the tiring Sr. Quisqueyano.

War Dancer, the surprising 5-2 favorite, was never a factor, finishing a well beaten seventh while trying dirt for the first time since the Travers.

Micromanage, a 4-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro owned by Repole Stable, was the third winner on the card for the team of Pletcher and Castellano, who also combined to capture the Grade 2 Gulfstream Oaks with In Tune.

Micromanage completed the distance over a fast track in 1:55.36 and paid $10.40.

“It worked out beautifully, we got a great trip,” said Pletcher. “From the outside he was able to get over and save some ground on the first turn. He got in good stalking position and I think the distance suits him well. Mike Smith rode him last time and said the horse didn’t run that bad, he got stuck inside and didn’t like it down there. I don’t know if the blinkers made that much difference today because he got such a perfect trip, but we figured we’d put them on him to give him some confidence.”

Pletcher said his main goal at the moment for Micromanage would be the 1 1/2-mile, Grade 2 Brooklyn Invitational on Belmont Stakes Day.