Three winters ago, Godolphin's Frosted (Tapit) was a colt of considerable promise at two, only to turn in a pair of disappointing efforts in Florida before regrouping with a victory in the GI Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. It was a little bit of history repeating Saturday on Long Island, as Enticed (Medaglia d'Oro), exiting a below-par fourth in the GII Holy Bull S. in Hallandale Beach Feb. 3, shipped in to post a much-the-best success in the GIII Gotham S.
No better than the third betting choice at 17-5, last year's GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. winner was midfield upon settling, content to sit about four deep into the far turn. Asked to take closer order about 3 1/2 furlongs from home, Enticed had pacesetting longshot Old Time Revival (Brethren) in the crosshairs off the home corner, collared that one readily inside the furlong marker and came away to a convincing score. Free Drop Billy (Union Rags) was a distant third ahead of a disappointing Firenze Fire (Poseidon's Warrior) in fourth.
“I didn't want to get him in trouble at all because he's a horse that takes a while to get going,” said winning jockey Junior Alvarado. “As soon as we turned for home, I knew it was just a matter of time when he switched leads for him to give me that next gear. As soon as he started moving along again he was much the best horse today.”
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin indicated he would consult with Godolphin's Jimmy Bell regarding a possible start in the GII Wood Memorial S. in four weeks' time. Enticed could return to Florida to train towards that nine-furlong final exam.
Acknowledging he thought Free Drop Billy would win the Gotham, trainer Dale Romans was not unduly displeased.
“He still has to come back and run well next time,” the conditioner said. “I think he ran a clean trip. There was some good things to see, but I wanted him to win.”
Pedigree Notes:
The second foal out of Godolphin's It's Tricky, winner of the 2011 GI Acorn S. and GI CCA Oaks and the 2012 GI Ogden Phipps H. Enticed is a maternal grandson of Stonerside Stables' GSW Catboat (Tale of the Cat), a half-sister to MSP Betty Garr (Out of Place) and SP This Fleet Is Due. It's Tricky is the dam of a 2-year-old filly by Ghostzapper.
Saturday, Aqueduct
GOTHAM S.-GIII, $300,000, AQU, 3-10, 3yo, 1m, 1:38.24, ft.
1–ENTICED, 121, c, 3, by Medaglia d'Oro
1st Dam: It's Tricky (MGISW, $1,666,500), by Mineshaft
2nd Dam: Catboat, by Tale of the Cat
3rd Dam: Northern Fleet, by Afleet
O-Godolphin Racing, LLC; B-Godolphin (KY); T-Kiaran P.
McLaughlin; J-Junior Alvarado. $180,000. Lifetime Record:
GISP, 5-3-0-1, $410,680. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple
Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.[bullet ad=”kbif-g2g3″]2–Old Time Revival, 117, c, 3, Brethren–Diary, by Congaree.
O-Fred J. Brei; B-Jacks or Better Farm Inc. (FL); T-Kenneth
Decker. $60,000.[bullet ad=”florida-breds-ftboa”]3–Free Drop Billy, 123, c, 3, Union Rags–Trensa, by Giant's
Causeway. ($200,000 Ylg '16 KEESEP). O-Albaugh Family
Stables LLC; B-Helen K. Groves Revocable Trust (KY); T-Dale L.
Romans. $30,000.
Margins: 2 3/4, 4, 2HF. Odds: 3.40, 35.50, 1.70.
Also Ran: Firenze Fire, Whereshetoldmetogo, Cove Blue, Nine Route, Beautiful Shot, Dial Operator.
Click for the Equineline.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. [bullet ad=”gainesway-consigned-by”][bullet ad=”selected-by-barry-berkelhammer”][bullet ad=”berkelhammer-received-early-preparation-at-abracadabra-farms”]
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
