By Ben Massam
4th-GP, $42k, Msw, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:30 p.m. EDT
Al Shaqab Racing went to $585,000 to secure SLAIMY (Medaglia d'Oro) at the 2015 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and the colt is set to meet the starter as the lone first-timer in this spot. A full-brother to GI Acorn S. and GI Santa Monica H. heroine Gabby's Golden Gal and a half to MGSW & GISP Always a Princess (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), Slaimy has worked on a steady basis at trainer Todd Pletcher's winter base at Palm Beach Downs dating back to late September. He finalized his preparations with a five-panel breeze over the turf at that venue Dec. 4 and obtains the services of Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, who has finished in the exacta with each of the nine juvenile first-time starters he has piloted for the Pletcher barn at this meet in the last two years. Slaimy's toughest competition could come from Phipps Stable's second-timer starter Snap Decision (Hard Spun), a half-brother to GI Belmont Derby Invitational S. winner and Lane's End sire Mr. Speaker (Pulpit). The bay was hung wide and made an eye-catching middle move before evening out late to finish fifth on debut going 1 1/16 miles over the yielding turf at Belmont Oct. 29. TJCIS PPs
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