Island Town repels Fame and Power in Matt Winn
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Island Town turned back a furious rally from favored Fame and Power to win his stakes debut in the Grade 3, $100,000 Matt Winn Stakes for 3-year-olds Saturday night at Churchill Downs.
The win gave Island Town three victories from his last four starts, with all those successes coming beneath the twin spires. He was stretching out from seven furlongs to 1 1/16 miles after a narrow optional claiming victory on May 2, the Kentucky Derby undercard.
“He ran a tremendous race that day, and I thought this was a good spot, on his home track, to stretch him out,” trainer Ian Wilkes said. “He’s a seriously talented horse. We always thought that, but he took a long time this winter to come around. We just never rushed him.”
Fame and Power, winner of the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico last out, was bet down to heavy favoritism, but broke sluggishly to come away last, then was a bit rank into the first turn. Island Town ($13.60), who had rallied from off the pace in his previous start, capitalized, showing a different dimension while making a sensible pace of 24.73 and 48.92 seconds under Julien Leparoux.
Island Town still led turning for home, but was confronted by Fame and Power, who had muscled his way up on the outside. The favored Fame and Power briefly seized the lead, but Island Town battled back along the inside, wresting command back to win by a half length. The final time was 1:43.46.
"He's seriously talented," Wilkes said. "We don't know how good this horse is yet."
It was the second stakes victory of the night for Leparoux, who, earlier piloted Prado’s Sweet Ride to take the Grade 3 Regret Stakes on turf.
After the top two, it was another 3 1/4 lengths back to Private Prospect in third. Channing Hill, aboard Private Prospect, lodged an objection against the runner-up and Victor Espinoza for interference, but the result stood after review.
Wilkes said that the Grade 2 Indiana Derby could be a logical next spot for Island Town. The race has been moved from its usual October date to July 18 this year.