LEXINGTON, Ky. – Godolphin’s homebred Prevalence roared past favored Nashville at the top of the stretch and then drew off to post a 2 1⁄4-length victory in the 35th running of the $300,000 Commonwealth (G3) for 4- year-olds and up.
Trained by Brendon Walsh for his third victory of the afternoon and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Prevalence covered the 7 furlongs on a sloppy track in 1:22.47.
Nashville led the field of 10 through fractions of :22.12 and :44.61 with Long Range Toddy and Prevalence in closest attendance. On the far turn, Prevalence loomed up to the outside of Nashville, zoomed on past at the head of the lane and was not threatened in the run to the finish.
It is the first stakes victory for Prevalence, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Medaglia d’Oro out of the Ghostzapper mare Enrichment. The victory was worth $174,375 and boosted Prevalence’s career earnings to $288,225 with a record of 7-4-0-0.
Prevalence returned $7, $4.60 and $3.60. Long Range Toddy, ridden by Paco Lopez, returned $22.20 and $10 and finished a head in front of O Besos, who paid $3.40 to show under Irad Ortiz Jr.
Surveillance finished fourth and was followed in order by South Bend, Three Technique, Manny Wah, Endorsed, Atoka and Nashville.
Click here for a replay of the race and the post-race interview with winning connections.
Quotes from the $300,000 Commonwealth (G3)
Tyler Gaffalione (winning rider of Prevalence)
On getting Prevalence to relax early in the race
“He’s just a very smart horse. He does everything so easily. The first thing Brendan (Walsh, the trainer) said (after the race) was, ‘Man, they went quick, but it looked like he was doing it well within himself,’ and he really was. He has a high cruising speed, and he’s a very intelligent horse. I had plenty left.”
Brendan Walsh (winning trainer, who recorded his third win of the day)
“I wasn’t sure we’d get that close to (Nashville). (The plan was) let (Prevalence) work his way into the race. They were going quick, but he looked comfortable the whole time. Tyler said he was just cruising along for him.”
On continuing his momentum through the meet
“It’s a very special meet, so to have three winners in a day, you never expect something like that. It’s fantastic. It’s great for Godolphin. They’re a huge supporter of mine, so to have two winners for them out of the same mare is a special day in itself.”
Luis Saez (rider of 10th-place finisher and beaten favorite Nashville)
“He felt good down the backside, but at the top of the stretch he just wasn’t able to keep up.”
Keeneland Press Release
Photo: Prevalence (Coady Photography)
