Intricate Spirit dominates the Paradise Creek from start to finish, NYRA Photo
Christian Abdo
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – West Point Thoroughbreds, Madaket Stables, Kenneth Beitz and Gail Beitz’s Intricate Spirit returned to form with a dominant 3 1/4-length wiring of Saturday’s $150,000 Paradise Creek, a six-furlong outer turf sprint for sophomores, at Belmont at the Big A.
Trained by Miguel Clement, the Complexity gelding entered from an off-the-pace ninth in the 5 1/2-furlong Listed Palisades on April 19 at Keeneland. There, the dark bay made his second start of the year after a 1 3/4-length third as the favorite in the five-furlong Texas Glitter over the all-weather surface in March at Gulfstream Park.
On Saturday, Intricate Spirit returned to the course and distance of his win in the Grade 3 Futurity in October, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, where he landed an off-the-pace ninth in October at Del Mar. Intricate Spirit was equipped with blinkers for the Paradise Creek and led gate-to-wire under Manny Franco.
“Every time he runs forwardly placed, tremendous effort; every time he’s taken to the back, he runs a lackluster performance,” Clement said. “That’s what happened at Breeders’ Cup and at Keeneland, so the only instruction to Manny, along with going blinkers on, was, ‘go forward.’”
Intricate Spirit broke sharply from post 3 and Franco, aboard for the first time in the afternoon, took early command while lightly pressured by Twilight Delight through the opening quarter-mile in 23.02 seconds over the good turf, which took steady rain throughout the day.
“The blinkers helped him a lot. He broke out of there like a shot and I was able to clear the inside horses,” Franco said. “After that, I was comfortable on the lead with his ears pricked up. I knew they’d have to run hard to pass me.”
Intricate Spirit held a one-length advantage over Twilight Delight in the turn as Chasing Freedom saved ground in third position and longshot Capanaparo sat in behind him under Edgard Zayas.
“He was traveling well and he handled the wet ground really well, so I was happy with that,” said Franco of his early positioning.
Once straightened for home, Intricate Spirit, who marked the half-mile in a comfortable 47.16, pressed on and powered to the wire in a final time of 1:11.24. A host of pursuers gave chase in vain, with Capanaparo completing the exacta at odds of 39-1, by a neck over Chasing Freedom.
Azizam rallied from an early eighth position to complete the superfecta, with Twilight Delight, Glorious Boy, Bronze Bullet, Itza Lock and Track Tiger rounding out the order of finish.
“I think the times are pedestrian-like because of the turf going, but the way he did it visually – three strides he’s in front and a length and a half clear with Manny sitting against him trying to harness his speed, I was very bullish,” Clement said. “He’s been training lights out all winter long. We were incredibly disappointed both at Breeders’ Cup and at Keeneland because his works have always been spectacular.
“Physically, he’s a great specimen. He’s raised right and has been a great addition to the stable from the get-go,” Clement continued.
A possible option this summer for Intricate Spirit is the Grade 3, $225,000 Quick Call presented by Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for sophomores, on July 19 at Saratoga Race Course.
“That seems like a logical path if you’re going to be in New York,” Clement said.
Bred in Kentucky by Ben Henley, Rebekah Henley and Jim Gray, Intricate Spirit, a $185,000 purchase at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, is out of the winning Curlin mare Dottie’s Spirit – a half-sister to Grade 3-placed Lecturing Lynn.
Intricate Spirit is a half-brother to the Clement-trained dual graded stakes-placed Spirit Prince and his third dam, A Chance of Storm, is a full-sister to 1992 Grade 1 Alabama-winner November Snow. He earned $82,500 in victory while improving his record to 7-3-1-1 and returning $5.40 for a $2 win bet as the 8-5 post-time favorite.
Live racing resumes Sunday at Belmont at the Big A with a nine-race program. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.
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