Holy Bull rerun just fine with T. V.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Four years ago, trainer T. V. Smith orchestrated a stunning upset in the $100,000 with the 14-1 Grits'n Hard Toast. On Saturday, Smith did it again, pulling off an even bigger surprise when his 27-1 Offlee Wild outgamed Powerful Touch to win by a head in the first major prep of the winter for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park.

Offlee Wild, a son of Wild Again, had never been beyond seven furlongs or faced stakes company before to the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull. After rating just off the early pace set by Bham, Offlee Wild rallied three wide leaving the turn, then outfinished Powerful Touch in an exciting stretch duel. Powerful Touch forced the pace from the outset, forged to a short advantage in early stretch, and dug in tenaciously when engaged by the winner, but was not quite good enough.

Bham weakened gradually after surrendering the lead at the head of the stretch, but easily held on to finish third, three lengths behind Powerful Touch. The previously undefeated Funny Cide was hung wide the entire trip after breaking from post 13 and did well to finish fifth. Added Edge, who also brought a perfect record into the Holy Bull and was sent to the post as the 9-5 favorite, tired badly and ultimately finished last in the field of 13 colts and geldings.

Offlee Wild, who is owned by Lansdon Robbins' Azalea Stables LLC, paid $56.80 after covering the distance in 1:43.00 over a fast track.

"He's just such a nice colt," Smith said. "You'll be hearing a lot more about him. He's twice the horse Grits'n Hard Toast was and probably the best horse I've ever trained. I never had any doubt he would go a route of ground. I just wasn't sure if today would be the day."

Smith said the Grade 1 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 15 would likely be next for Offlee Wild.

"I imagine that's where we'll go next if everything goes all right for him after this," Smith said.

* The addition of blinkers made a big difference for Midway Cat, who drew off to easily win a first-level allowance in Saturday's fifth race. His final time of 1:43.26 for 1 1/16 miles was just .26 seconds slower than the Holy Bull. Cornelio Velasquez rode Midway Cat, one of his three victories on the card.