6th-GPX, $41,100, Alw, Opt. Clm. ($75,000), NW1X, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:42, ft.
CONSTITUTION (c, 3, Tapit–Baffled {SP-Eng}, by Distorted Humor) took this battle of the Tapits and of “TDN Rising Stars”, defeating Tonalist by 3 1/4 lengths on the square. The $400,000 FTSAUG yearling purchase was off slowly in his seven-furlong debut over this surface Jan. 11, but rushed up to dispute the pace and fought his way to a one-length success. He didn't break all that swiftly here and was three wide into the first turn, but Javier Castellano let him roll forward to take up the running entering the backstretch. He bounded along at an even clip with Tonalist taking the worst of it three wide and began to get away from that one nearing the short run in. The favorite turned for home firmly in front and kept to his task in the final sixteenth while maintaining a safe margin over Tonalist. Mexikoma (Birdstone), far back and last early, rallied nicely to round out the triple while never threatening the top two. Wicked Strong (Hard Spun) came from a similar trailing position, but flattened a bit late and settled for fourth. “It actually played out really well,” Pletcher said. “I just wanted to make sure we got to the first turn in a good position. I don't know why he broke as poorly as he did first time because he's not a bad gate horse, but he broke cleanly today and Javier was able to get to the position we wanted to be in, and he ran really well from there.” Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $49,350. Click for the brisnet.com chart orVIDEO. Share this result. (Click here for a TDN feature following Constitution's debut)
O-WinStar Farm LLC & Twin Creeks Racing Stables LLC. B-Grapestock LLC & Fox Hill Farms (KY). T-Todd A Pletcher.
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