Gosger scores in stakes debut under Irad Ortiz, Jr. (Jenny Doyle/Past The Wire)
Last of the Road to the Kentucky Derby races
Keeneland Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – In the Stonestreet Lexington, Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stable’s homebred Gosger put away pacesetting Bracket Buster and favored Praetor at the top of the stretch and drew off for a 2-length victory.
The race was the final points race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, but none of the point earners has enough points accumulated to earn a spot in the Derby starting gate that is limited to the top 20 point earners and invitees.
Gosger, making his stakes debut, picked up 20 points with the victory. That total is well short of the cut line of 46.
Trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Gosger completed the 1 1/16 miles over the fast main track in 1:44.15.
Longshot Bracket Buster led the field through fractions of :23.73, :47.62 and 1:12.27 with Praetor second and Hypnus and Gosger running third and fourth.
The pack tightened up on the far turn and at the top of the stretch, Hypnus began to retreat while Gosger was rallying three wide to first dispatch Praetor and then Bracket Buster.
Gosger is a Kentucky-bred son of Nyquist out of the Tapit mare Gloria S. The victory was the second in three starts for Gosger, who picked up $241,800 for the victory to increase his earnings to $292,200.
Gosger returned $10.60, $5.72 and $3.24. Bracket Buster, ridden by Manny Franco, returned $17.46 and $6.14 and finished 3½ lengths in front of Praetor, who paid $2.74 to show under Flavien Prat.
It was another half-length back to Hypnus with Bullard, Native Runner and Hard as Life following in order.
Quotes for the $400,000 Stonestreet Lexington (G3) at Keeneland
Irad Ortiz Jr. (winning rider of Gosger): “He’s a really nice horse. He ran a little green down the lane, looking around. I tried to stay straight and keep him focused. He was very impressive. He’s fun to ride. I had a beautiful trip, and he responded whenever I asked him. He was there for me. Everything worked out perfect. (Trainer) Brendan (Walsh) did a great job. I’m happy to be here.”
Brendan Walsh (winning trainer): “We weren’t sure if he had enough experience coming here today. He could have done with maybe another run or two. We gave him a little time after he broke his maiden (Feb. 15 at Gulfstream Park). He did a lot of growing, so we just took our time with him. So, I think there’s a lot of upside to the horse, and I think he’s got a lot in front of him.”
On what’s ahead for Gosger: “We’ll see how he comes out (of this race). I won’t do anything drastic too quick unless he really warrants it. He’s going to be a lovely horse as the year goes on, really, but we’re going to stay calm and pick our spots with him and see how we go.”
On how to help Gosger improve: “I think you’d hope from today alone that he’d improve. Today was obviously his first day going two turns. The next day he’ll be mentally sharper, and they just move along and move along. I think the main thing is that you don’t try to rush them, because sometimes I think that just works the other way. So, we’ll nurse him along, and, like I said, I think he’s going to be a nice horse as we move along.”
Manny Franco (rider of runner-up Bracket Buster): “I had a really good trip – I think the best trip in the race. I ended up in the lead without asking him to do it. He was traveling so well and comfortable. We just got run down by a better horse.”
Flavien Prat (rider of third-place finisher and beaten favorite Praetor): “He broke very well, he sat next to the pace, he made a good run turning for home.”
Michael McCarthy (trainer of fifth-place finisher and second choice Bullard): “I would have liked to have seen him 1, 2, 3 today. He’s coming back after a bit of an extended layoff. I was pleased with his performance. I thought it was a good place to start. The first half was a little slower than I would have liked. He needs to come from way out of it or be closer to the pace. A little bit of a head scratcher. I’m not exactly sure what to think. I’m just glad to get this horse back to the races. We will put our heads together and see where we go after this.”
Racing continues Sunday with a nine-race program beginning at 1 p.m. ET that is highlighted by the 28th running of the $350,000 Giant’s Causeway (G3) for fillies and mares going 5 ½ furlongs on the turf. The Giant’s Causeway is the afternoon’s eighth race with a 4:44 p.m. post time.
