Texas Wedge
Photo Credit: Zoe Metz
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Jockey Flavien Prat put Texas Wedge in an ideal tactical position and he delivered, catching Carotari in deep stretch Saturday to win the World of Trouble Turf Sprint presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale by a head.
With his victory in the five-furlong 150,000 World of Trouble, Texas Wedge improved to 2-0 in 2020. He opened the year for trainer Peter Miller with a win in the Joe Hernandez (G2) at Santa Anita on New Year’s Day.
Texas Wedge, sent off at 9-2 in the field of eight, reached the wire in 55.84 seconds and paid $11.80. Carotari, also 9-2, finished three-quarters of a length in front of Fielder, who was 25-1 in the wagering. Shekky Shebaz, the 1-2 favorite, ended up fourth.
Carotari, starting from the outside post, quickly moved over to press the early pace set by Pay Any Price of 21.68 seconds and 44.20. Prat stayed inside and targeted Shekky Shebaz, who was making his first start since winning the Claiming Crown Canterbury on Dec. 7. Carotari took the lead in the stretch, but could not hold off Texas Wedge when he arrived to his outside.
“We had a good trip,” Prat said. “We were behind the horse to beat. I was able to move around at the quarter-pole and then he was game to catch the leader.”
Texas Wedge, a Kentucky-bred son of Colonel John, is co-owned by Altamira Racing Stable, Rafter JR Ranch, STD Racing Stable and A. Miller. The World of Trouble was his third win in five starts at the distance.
“Great ride, great trip. Flavien’s a great jockey,” Miller said. “This horse, giving six pounds to the runner-up and he’s not a big horse, it did its job and evened the race out. I’m just really proud of the horse. He ran a big race.”
“He’s a great little gelding. We bought him for $30,000 at OBS and I just couldn’t be prouder of the horse and my whole team. It was a great job by everyone.”
