Largent may head to Pegasus Turf after Ft. Lauderdale triumph

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Largent, the lesser-regarded of the two Todd Pletcher- trained horses in the field along with Group 1 winner Halladay, likely earned himself a spot in next month’s $1 million Pegasus Turf with a late-running two-length victory in Saturday’s $200,000 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Doswell rallied up the rail to best Breaking the Rules by a nose for second.

Largent came into the Grade 2 Ft. Lauderdale with five wins and three seconds in eight starts, but was getting a class check trying graded stakes company for the first time in his career. The race also marked his first start beyond 1 1/16 miles.

With Paco Lopez aboard, Largent broke well then rated in mid-pack, about 10 lengths off a lively early pace set by his stablemate Halladay. Largent commenced his rally midway on the second turn, angled five wide into the stretch, stuck his head in front of the tiring Halladay near the eighth pole and won going away. Doswell saved ground and had to check briefly in traffic approaching the quarter pole before continuing willingly up the rail to be second. Breaking the Rules made a strong run outside horses to join the leaders a furlong from home, but could not sustain the bid.

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Halladay led for nearly a mile but tired through the final furlong to finish seventh. Factor This, the 2-1 favorite, prompted the early running and also weakened down the lane, checking home a disappointing eighth in a field of 10 older turf specialists.

Twin Creeks Racing and Eclipse Thoroughbreds own Largent, a 4-year-old son of Into Mischief, in partnership. A Virginia-bred, Largent paid $35.80 after completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.16 over a “good” course.

“It was a salty field indeed,” Pletcher said. “He (Largent) is a horse who is generally laying up close. I just told Paco it looks like there was a lot of pace, to try to sit in the pocket, and he delivered a very nice ride. He’s always loved Gulfstream, he’s always run very well here, and we thought it was the right time to see if he could step up into a big spot. The key was he was able to relax and settle and he delivered a big closing kick. I think he certainly ran well enough today to earn a spot into the Pegasus, which we’d love to do.”

The Grade 1 Pegasus Turf will be decided on Jan. 23.

As for Halladay, Pletcher said the pace was just a little bit too quick, especially for a horse who had never tried nine furlongs prior to Saturday.

“Halladay just went a little too fast early on, he went 23 and 1, 23 and 1, 23 and 1 and he got a little tired late” Pletcher said. “We’ll get him back to the barn and assess where we’re at with him before making a decision regarding the Pegasus Turf.”

Niko’s Dream became a stakes winner for the first time when rallying off a relatively quick pace to a 1 1/2-length victory over Tuned in the $75,000 My Charmer. Junior Alvarado rode the New York-bred for trainer Barclay Tagg.

Niko’s Dream tripped out nicely in the 1 1/16-mile My Charmer, rating within easy striking distance off a :46.79 opening half-mile set by Pied Bianchi over a “good” turf course. Alvarado swung Niko’s Dream out four wide to commence her rally on the turn, the pair shaking off Art of Almost once changing leads nearing midstretch to win going away. Tuned rallied mildly to be second-best, a half-length better than Art of Almost, who flattened out through the final furlong after gaining a short advantage leaving the final turn.

Lady Lawyer, the 3-2 favorite in a field of seven older fillies and mares, stopped badly and finished a distant sixth.

Sackatoga Stable owns Niko’s Dream, who has been multiple stakes-placed against New York-bred company and had a win over the local course last spring.

Niko’s Dream completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.82 and paid $29.20.

“She’s been doing well,” Tagg said. “I thought I probably had her in over her head a little bit. But she’s as honest as she could be, and she got a beautiful trip. I was glad to see him (Alvarado) take her around horses like that. I don’t care what anybody says, you have to go outside here. She really seems to like this course and this was definitely the best race she’s ever run.”