Crispy Cat draws away to take the Texas Glitter under Paco Lopez (Coglianese)
Gulfstream Park Press Release
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.— AMO Racing USA’s Crispy Cat withstood heavy pressure while setting the pace into the stretch run of Saturday’s $100,000 Texas Glitter at Gulfstream Park and drew away to register his first victory in the U.S.
The Texas Glitter, a five-furlong turf stakes for 3-year-olds, co-headlined Saturday’s 12-race program with the $100,000 Melody of Colors, a five-furlong dash on turf for 3-year-old fillies.
Jorge Delgado-trained Crispy Cat, who lost his recent U.S. debut by a neck after dueling on the pace, apparently benefited from the experience Saturday while scoring by 1 ½ lengths under Paco Lopez. Sent to post as the 2-1 second choice, the Great Britain-bred colt broke alertly to get the jump on his six rivals, only to be quickly joined on his outside by Dr. Oseran, the 4-5 favorite ridden by Jose Ortiz. The two horses dueled past fractions of 21.43 and 43.75 seconds for the half-mile before Crispy Cat edged away to victory.
“The trainer told me, ‘Paco, I want to come from behind, second or third,’” Lopez said. “I wanted to slow it down, but the horse was ready. He was ready for this race. He was very sharp. I think he needed that last race.”
Crispy Cat, who was twice Group 2 stakes-placed in Europe, ran five furlongs in 55.71 seconds. Gold Nugget kicked in through the stretch to catch Dr. Oseran by a half-length for second.
