Tusk bounces back in Tropical Turf

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Sometimes, it’s all about the trip.

After suffering through an eventful trip before finishing third in the Claiming Crown Emerald five weeks earlier, Tusk bounced back in a big way, parlaying a perfectly judged ride by Tyler Gaffalione into a two-length victory over Gidu in Saturday’s Grade 3 Tropical Turf at Gulfstream Park.

Tusk had to steady a couple of times in traffic and failed to kick on late, finishing third, beaten two lengths, in the Claiming Crown Emerald. The setback snapped a three-race winning streak for Tusk, who was claimed by trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. for $32,000 out of a winning effort during the fall meet at Belmont Park.

Gaffalione rated Tusk in perfect position off a blistering early pace set by Gemonteer and pressed from the outset by Gidu in the one-mile Tropical Turf. Tusk responded readily when roused, moved to command upon settling into the stretch and gradually edged away to a decisive victory. Gidu could not resist the winner when challenged but turned in a game effort in defeat, holding a length advantage at the end over Maraud.

A Thread of Blue raced forwardly while three wide but lacked a sufficient response down the lane, finishing a tiring fourth as the 8-5 favorite.

Tusk, a 7-year-old son of Tapit owned by Jordan Wycoff, completed one mile over a firm course in 1:32.83 and paid $19.

“In all fairness, Ricardo [Santana] came back after his last race and said he’s kind of one-paced and right when he wanted to go, he couldn’t get room," said Joseph who won three races on the card here for a second straight Saturday. “Today he just got the perfect trip. The speed ran, he just drafted in behind them, and this is probably his best distance. A mile. I know he’s won further, but a mile and a sixteenth is probably stretching it just a tad.”

Joseph said he had confidence in Tusk even though he was stepping up from starter allowance company into a Grade 3 stakes.

“I was really excited about him the last time, he went into the race training tremendous. I was a little disappointed he got beat to be honest,” said Joseph. “Today he was jumping up again. We weren’t going to let one race put us back. We took a chance and had nothing to lose. If we could win it, then we get rewarded. We didn’t want to go backwards.”