April 1, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Creative Differences
Saturday’s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn had all the makings of a heavyweight tilt. Sporting a combined 11: 6-3-0 line with five graded scores, 3-year-old superstars Muth (2-1) and Timberlake (1-1) appeared destined for a meeting at the finish line. However, the former must have added a few last-minute edits to the script.
In the Muth cut, the duo stayed even with each other early, running 1-2 through the first four markers. Then, in a surprise twist, Timberlake ran out of gas and faded into fourth allowing Muth to claim the lead once and for all.
With the Arkansas victory, the Flavien Prat mount is now a perfect 2-for-2 in 2024 and 4-2-0 in six tries altogether.
The dazzling showing paid $6.60.
All by my Lonesome
Muth wasn’t the only elite 3-year-old in action on Saturday. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Fierceness embarrassed eight other competitors (a generous designation) in a 13 1/2-length drubbing in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream.
It was one thing to expect a Fierceness win, but to do so at that margin, especially in a Grade 1 affair, is almost unheard of. Leaving from the eighth post position, the Todd Pletcher trainee got out to an early lead and, well, you know the rest.
With the dominant performance, Fierceness silenced any doubters who thought Hades (3-1) might best him once again. The duo previously squared off in February’s Holy Bull (G3).
Fierceness’ ferocious display paid a modest $4.20.
Target Lock
Thorpedo Anna sunk the hopes of nine other challengers in Saturday’s $750,000 Fantasy Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
The 3-year-old filly’s first career graded title came in a four-length trouncing that really began to take shape around the three-quarter mark. Here, Thorpedo Anna took aim before firing to the head of the pack never to be contested again.
Under the guidance of rider Brian Hernandez Jr., the Kentucky-bred is a strong 3-1-0 in through four lifetime starts. The only loss of her career came last time out when she finished second in last November’s Golden Rod (G2).
Saturday’s special run returned $7.40.
Lane Change
She had to work for it, but Power Squeeze is officially a graded stakes champion after outduelling eight foes in Saturday’s Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).
Stuck in traffic out of the gate, the 3-year-old filly was wedged in gridlock going into the stretch before steering into some open road for a late push toward the finish lane. The extra effort paid off, as Power Squeeze and rider Daniel Centeno were rewarded with a one-length decision.
Closing at 11-1, not much was expected of the Jorge Delgado protégé but sometimes being the underdog works to your advantage. Facing no pressure, Power Squeeze secured her fourth consecutive win in what was her stiffest challenge to date.
The hard-fought triumph paid a healthy $24.
Together Forever
It may not have been one of the headliner events at Gulfstream on Saturday, but the $150,000 Ghostzapper (G3) was as thrilling as they come.
The 1 1/6-mile contest’s top two finishers Il Miracolo (4-1) and Tumbarumba (2-1) ran neck-and-neck from the one-half mark all the way to the wire. The spirited battle ultimately ended with Il Miracolo edging out his counterpart by a neck to capture career graded stakes victory number two.
Saturday’s strong showing improved the well-travelled colt’s lifetime line to 4-5-3 through 19 starts, 12 of which have come at the Grade 3 level and above. After a tough sixth in January’s Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), Il Miracolo has rebounded nicely in two starts since (third in Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile on Mar. 2).
The slight Ghostzapper score paid $10.60.
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