Looking to take his career record to a perfect three wins from as many visits to the races, Chris Fountoukis's SOLITUDE DUDE (c, 3, Yaupon–After the Party, by Into Mischief) made every yard to record his second career stakes success in Saturday's Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Off to a smart beginning from the outside gate in a compact field of six, the $300,000 OBS June breezer came across his rivals but was purposely kept in about the three path, going the first couple of furlongs in a hasslefree :23.30, with the impressive debut winner Class President (Uncle Mo) doing his best to keep pace down to the leader's inside.
Between rivals for the run into the final three furlongs as Solitude Dude's stablemate Hammond (Charlatan) rolled up into contention, Solitude Dude was finally given his head by Irad Ortiz, Jr. and, given the relatively easy tempo, reserved a good kick for the final furlong and pulled readily clear.
A daughter of the stakes-winning Defy Gravity, After The Party was purchased by Clarkland Farm for $110,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton February Sale and visited this top young sire in her first season at stud. She is due to Volatile for her 2026 foal.
SWALE S., $150,000, Gulfstream, 1-31, 3yo, 7f, 1:23.46, ft.
1–SOLITUDE DUDE, 120, c, 3, by Yaupon
1st Dam: After the Party, by Into Mischief
2nd Dam: Defy Gravity, by Bandini
3rd Dam: Quickest, by Forest Wildcat
($55,000 RNA Wlg '23 KEENOV; $85,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $300,000 2yo '25 OBSOPN). O-Chris Fountoukis; B-Martha Buckner & Matthew Ernst (KY); T-Saffie A Joseph Jr; J-Irad Ortiz Jr. $92,070. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $176,070.
2–Class President, 118, c, 3, Uncle Mo–Top Quality, by Quality Road. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-WinStar Farm, LLC, First Go Racing & CHC Inc; B-WinStar Farm LLC (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher. $29,700.
3–Hammond, 120, c, 3, Charlatan–Sweet Kisses, by Carpe Diem. ($170,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-C2 Racing Stable LLC, JRM Stables LLC, Mathis Stables LLC & Ken T Reimer; B-Aaron & Marie Jones LLC (KY); T-Saffie A Joseph Jr. $14,850.
Margins: 3 3/4, 1 3/4, 2HF. Odds: 0.20, 4.50, 23.10.
Also Ran: Diciassette, Epic Summer, Langvad.
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