Gulfstream Park
No excuse for Protonico in Donn Handicap
Adam Coglianese/NYRA Protonico, ridden by Joe Bravo, wins the Grade 3 Discovery by 2 3/4 lengths.
Protonico was eased in the stretch of the Grade 1 Donn Handicap last weekend, but trainer Todd Pletcher said the Giant’s Causeway colt came out of the race “super” and that he has been unable to find a reason for such a poor performance as the 5-1 third choice in a field of nine.
“I don’t have any excuse to offer,” he said.
Protonico was coming off a runner-up finish behind Hoppertunity in the Clark Handicap in November. He was one of three horses, all 4-year-olds, whom Pletcher ran in the Donn. The others were the winner, Constitution, who was coming off a third in the Clark, and the sixth-place finisher, Commissioner.