Shamrocket digs the dirt in Sunshine Classic
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The question of whether Shamrocket could handle the dirt was answered Saturday at Gulfstream Park after the career-long turf specialist parlayed a perfect pace setup into a hard-fought half-length decision over Sir Ollie in the $75,000 Sunshine Classic.
Shamrocket came into the 1 1/8-mile Sunshine Classic having made all 21 previous starts on grass, including a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Bowling Green this past summer at Saratoga. He was facing Florida-breds for the first time Saturday since a second-place effort in the Turf Classic at Tampa Bay Downs last March.
With Javier Castellano aboard, Shamrocket settled in perfect position, within easy striking of the embattled leaders Sir Ollie, Nacho Papa, and Big Venezuela. Shamrocket swung four wide to commence his bid into the stretch, ultimately wearing down a game Sir Ollie in the final sixteenth. The latter volleyed for command while saving ground from the outset, hung on determinedly through the final furlong, but was not quite good enough.
Nacho Papa, at 43-1 the second-longest price in a field of just seven Florida-breds, succumbed grudgingly through the final furlong, finishing another 1 1/2 lengths farther back in third.
Shamrocket is trained by Todd Pletcher for Donegal Racing. A son of Tonalist, he completed the distance over a fast track in 1:52.26 and paid $4.60.
“He always trained well on it (dirt) and we were kind of looking for the right time to give it a try,” said Pletcher, who was not in attendance for the race. “It could open up some options for him. I think he’s a horse that might even handle some of the longer dirt races, marathon-type dirt races, down the road. I’m proud of him for getting the job done."
Sunshine Sprint
Gatsby proved best after a stretch-long battle with 8-5 favorite Cool Quest, ultimately edging away to a 1 1/4-length victory in the $75,000 Sunshine Sprint.
Gatsby engaged in a race-long pace duel before dropping a tough half-length decision to Grade 1 winner Drain the Clock five weeks ago in an open allowance race in his 2021 finale. The homebred son of Brethren was returning to statebred company for the first time Saturday since finishing off the board in the Sophomore Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs 10 months earlier.
With Luis Saez aboard, Gatsby stalked the pace of the speedy Cool Quest, engaged the leader approaching the quarter pole, remained out near the center of the track down the stretch and won going away. Cool Quest, who defeated Florida-bred allowance company in his local debut here on Dec. 12, set the pace from the rail, held on gamely, but could not stay with the winner while easily best of the others, finishing 3 1/4 lengths in front of Pudding.
Gatsby was one of two horses trainer Carlos David had in the Sunshine Sprint along with Legal Deal, who finished a non-threatening fourth.
Gatsby paid $6.40 after covering six furlongs in 1:09.11.
“At first I thought they were going too fast,” David said. “I knew the one (Cool Quest) would have to go breaking from the rail. So I told my riders if the one goes to the lead, just sit back and be right on top of him. His (Gatsby) last race against Drain the Clock was kind of a preparation for this one. Luckily he (Drain the Clock) is not a Florida-bred, and wasn’t in this race.”