Wellabled dominates Forego Stakes

Wellabled continued his dominance within the synthetic-sprint ranks Friday evening at Turfway Park, winning the $50,000 Forego Stakes by seven lengths. The win marked his third stakes score on a synthetic track, following victories as a 2-year-old in 2016 in the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity and Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile at Presque Isle.

As in those races, Wellabled used his speed to take command from the start Friday. He threw down an opening quarter in 22.68 seconds, established some daylight on the opposition with a half-mile in 45.48, and then left his fatigued rivals behind in completing 6 1/2 furlongs on Turfway’s Polytrack in a swift 1:16.82.

Lanier and Crewman turned in modest rallies to be second and third but never threatened a confidently ridden winner.

“He broke sharp, and that was it,” said winning jockey Rodney Prescott. “I never even uncocked my stick. He ran a big race.”

A 4-year-old son of Shackleford, Wellabled ($4.60) raced for just the third time after an extended layoff following a knee chip and throat surgery that caused him to miss most of 2017 before he reappeared in late fall.

“Things just came at him back-to-back, so we had no choice but to stop on him, and we let him get ready on his own,” said Larry Rivelli, who trains him for owner Carolyn Wilson. “He’s probably the most athletic, agile horse I’ve ever trained. He loves the synthetic tracks.”

The Forego improved Wellabled’s record to five wins and one second from nine starts, with earnings of $214,856.