Octane has no problem with In Reality Stakes' distance
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Octane answered the distance question and did so emphatically, withstanding early pressure before drawing away to a 1 3/4-length victory over Cajun's Magic in Saturday’s $400,000 In Reality Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
The finish mirrored that of the seven-furlong Affirmed Stakes here four weeks earlier.
Octane was one of four Arindel homebreds sired by Brethren among the 10 starters in the 1 1/16-mile In Reality. The others were The Skipper Too, Clapton, and Globes - who finished, fourth, fifth, and seventh respectively. Octane is trained by Carlos David, the others are trained by Juan Alvarado.
Octane, who led throughout to capture the Affirmed by 3 1/4 lengths over Cajun's Magic, was again sent to the front by jockey Emisael Jaramillo, but had early company when pressed for the lead by Cattin. Octane shook clear after six furlongs, withstood a mild challenge from Cajun’s Magic through early stretch before maintaining a safe advantage under pressure. The latter raced well placed behind the dueling leaders, remained within easy striking distance entering the stretch, but could not cut into the winner’s margin while finishing 6 1/2 lengths clear of the tiring Cattin for second money.
Octane paid $4.20. The official final time and splits for the race were delayed due to a timing malfunction.
“He’s got speed and obviously we did not want to take that away from him,” David said. “The plan was to break good, sit outside a little bit and whenever he wanted to make the lead let him go. Definitely we were concerned about the distance, but he’s got a lot of talent, and I’m glad he was able to do it.”
Brian Cohen, stable manager for Arindel and the son of owner Alan Cohen, said he wanted to send Carlos David a good horse to train.
“Carlos has done a great job,” the younger Cohen said. “Before we sent him to Carlos, he worked one time on the farm super-fast. He’s a little horse and Carlos does great with these speed horses. I never thought that he’d be doing the mile and a sixteenth, but he just gets out there and doesn’t stop. We have the perfect rider for him and it was just a great effort from all these guys.”
As for considering the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on Nov. 5, Cohen said, “we’ll see how the numbers come back, talk to Carlos and see how we fit. There’s no rush to make a decision right now.”