Shaq Diesel shows new early speed in Benny the Bull

Shaq Diesel, a 5-year-old horse trained by David Fawkes, showed uncharacteristic early speed and overpowered five rivals to win the $75,000 Benny the Bull Handicap on Sunday. The sloppy track conditions didn’t faze the classy Florida-bred, who powered home to win by 4 1/4 lengths.

Fawkes nearly secured a one-two finish when Pure Class rallied late, but the 4-year-old gelding finished a neck behind The Golden Gorilla, an 8 3/4-length allowance winner last time out for trainer Jena Antonucci. Neither rival seriously challenged the winner, who had the race well in hand on the far turn.

Shaq Diesel had started each of his last three races in fourth, but he broke sharply in the Benny the Bull and jockey Miguel Vasquez quickly adjusted to his newfound tactical speed from the far outside post. He settled a half-length behind early leader General Ledger through an opening quarter-mile in 22.83.

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General Ledger clung to the lead through a half-mile in 45.20, but he couldn’t hold on much longer and eventually faded to last. Shaq Diesel was comfortably ahead of his next rival while chasing the pacesetter, so when Vasquez urged him forward to take command, the 5-year-old managed to take full advantage of his early track position and kicked clear by two lengths entering the stretch.

The Golden Gorilla came closest to launching a winning bid on the inside near the wire, but he was effectively in a race for second and prevailed over Pure Class in a photo. El Principito, who finished ahead of Shaq Diesel in the $75,000 Smile Sprint in July, had nothing to offer from a stalking position and finished two lengths behind Pure Class in fourth.

Back at seven furlongs for the first time since a four-length victory in the $75,000 Big Drama in May, Shaq Diesel proved similarly impressive in his second stakes victory this year. He completed the distance in 1:22.42 and paid $5.80 to win.

The Benny the Bull was the second-to-last leg in the Rainbow 6 at Gulfstream on Sunday, which featured a mandatory payout and pool of 1,005,092. The wager paid $206.38, as all six winners went off at odds under 4-1.

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