Run Classic a clear winner of the Gulfstream Park Sprint (Coglianese)
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.— Tom Durant’s graded stakes-placed Run Classic, ridden by Javier Castellano and trained by Jose D’Angelo, drove past defending champion Candy Man Rocket down the stretch to win Saturday’s $125,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint by 3 ¼ lengths.
Run Classic, a 6-year-old son of Runhappy who finished third last year in the Mineshaft (G3) at Fair Grounds, was making his first start since May 4. He covered the six furlongs in 1:09.81. Candy Man Rocket, 8-5, held the place over Loco Abarrio.
Seventh past a :22.18 opening quarter mile set by Long Range Toddy and Hurricane J, Castellano moved Run Classic four-wide around the turn as Candy Man Rocket took the lead entering the stretch. But just above the sixteenth pole, Run Classic drove past the favorite and to the finish line for his fifth win in 12 starts.
“Our concern is that he didn’t run for a little while and they told me not to rush him out of the gate,” Castellano said. “He’s going to finish, but you don’t want to hook the speed. There was a lot of speed in the race, we had the inside post. If we break to go to the lead, we’re not going to have anything for the end. I tried to ride a smart race, and everything worked out great.
“There was a good, fast pace. I laid back a little bit and went outside and let him roll at the top of the stretch. I really liked the way he took off at the top of the stretch. He’s a really nice horse. All the credit to the trainer to bring the horse back off a long period of time and be ready for a stakes race. I’m just the pilot and I enjoyed the ride.”
Earlier in the day D’Angelo saddled Florida Sire Stakes winner Bentornato to a third-place finish in the Saudi Derby.
