Maraud by a neck in Palm Beach Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – When Todd Pletcher looked at the way the Palm Beach Stakes figured to unfold on Saturday at Gulfstream Park, he was concerned Speed Franco would be loose on the lead, and that could work against his trainee, Maraud. Both he and John Velazquez figured the best way to overcome the potential disadvantage was to stay close to Speed Franco and then try to outkick him.

The plan worked, which Pletcher said was because of Velazquez.

“Johnny’s pushing all the right buttons,” Pletcher said.

Maraud, who had Speed Franco in his sights throughout, overpowered Speed Franco through the lane to win the Grade 3, $100,000 Palm Beach for 3-year-old grass runners, giving Maraud the first stakes win of his career.

Maraud won by a neck over Speed Franco, who led for the first mile of the 1 1/16-mile race. Therapist, who acted up in the gate prior to the start and had to be reloaded, rallied for third, with Hawkish fourth after making a threatening move on the turn.

Neepawa was fifth in the field of seven, then came Renaisance Frolic and Eye of the Jedi, who trailed throughout after being hopelessly left at the break.

Maraud ($7) covered 1 1/16 miles on the firm course in 1:41.01, and he ran the final five-sixteenths of a mile in less than 29 seconds. He was given an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.

“We got the trip we talked about. We thought the 1 horse,” Pletcher said, referring to Speed Franco, “could get loose. We wanted to make sure he didn’t get away. He’s a quick horse, and on this course, with an uncontested lead, he might not come back.”

Velazquez had won the previous race in front-running fashion on Team of Teams, so he was cognizant of the course profile.

Maraud, a colt by Blame owned by Treadway Racing Stable, has now won three times in five starts. He was coming off a victory in a first-level allowance here on Jan. 13. Pletcher said he could race again at Gulfstream or await Keeneland.