Noble Causeway steps up with two-turn win
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Nick Zito was looking at Saturday as a pivotal day in the progress of some of his late-developing 3-year-olds. In at least one case, the trainer got the result he desired. Noble Causeway, a $1.15 million yearling purchase, took a major leap forward when he won Saturday's fourth race at Gulfstream Park in his fourth start. The maiden race was his first start around two turns.
Noble Causeway ($4.60) got through along the rail and drew clear to win by two lengths in 1:51.49 for 1 1/8 miles on a fast main track. Edgar Prado was aboard.
"Anytime they come through inside, they show courage," Zito said. "Edgar had a handful of horse. He thinks he's got a future. I hope so."
Zito said he was satisfied that Noble Causeway, a son of Giant's Causeway, was progressing at a satisfactory pace.
"It was exactly the right amount of time," Zito said. "We'll probably look for an allowance race next, then after that we'll see what we've got."
Around the Cape scores via DQ
Around the Cape won his second straight race in Saturday's second race, this time via disqualification, but the manner in which he finished in the seven-furlong allowance will likely keep the 3-year-old colt around one turn for the immediate future.
Around the Cape ($6.20) crossed the wire second, but backed into the win when 24-1 shot Qureall was disqualified for solidly bumping Holy Rocket with a furlong remaining. Qureall, who was timed in 1:24.34, was placed fifth, behind Holy Rocket.
Kenny McCarthy, the assistant to trainer Bill Mott, spoke with Mott right after the race on the telephone and said that Around the Cape, a son of Carson City, was unlikely to stretch out.
"He ran a good race, but like Bill just said, it was a tough beat for the other guys. We were just second best," McCarthy said. "He didn't really finish well. He didn't have much left in the tank. He got to the eighth pole in good shape, but then he struggled."
Allowance races head card
Gulfstream moves to a six-day week this week, and the Monday card has a pair of allowances as its feature races.
The eighth race, at 1 1/16 miles on turf for older horses, is topped by Unabashed, a son of Kingmambo who defeated maidens sprinting in his Gulfstream debut on Jan. 3 and now moves to what should be his preferred surface. His main rival is Master William, a former stakes-class performer who is making his second start since moving to the barn of trainer Dale Romans.
The ninth race, a one-turn mile for fillies and mares, includes Emtyazat, who romped by 10 3/4 lengths when beating maidens on Dec. 30 at Calder. Palaestra and Pretty Possible appear to be her primary rivals.