gelding veteran editor needed per inch of Aqueduct race track stretched to win an impressive finishing shot under a well-timed Luis Rodriguez Castro dribble to score with his nose baby Vic in $130,950 Gravesend Stakes on December 30. The race is a six-stage sprint for kids 3 years of age and older.
Coached by David Duggan and owned by Dublin Fjord Stables, Racepoint Stables, Kevin D. Hilbert and Thomas E. O’Keefe, Drafted claimed its fourth bet win of the year, adding to its graded score in Toboggan Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct and Runhappy Stakes (G3) at Belmont Parkalong with Shares of Mr. Prospector uncategorized in Monmouth Park. Gray’s 8-year-old son Field Committee improved from a final fifth place on October 29 in Bold Ruler Staking (G3), making his 10th trip of his life to the winner’s circle.
Drafted wins Gravesend Stakes by ending with Luis A. Rodriguez Castro in place of David P. Duggan! #TheBigA pic.twitter.com/bx64BBBApK
– NYRA (🗽) (@TheNYRA) December 30, 2022
“I don’t think we won,” Duggan said. “I thought the second race wasn’t that bad, but when I watched the slow motion (replay) footage, I thought, God, I think we’re ahead. I’m happy. Everything is going perfectly. I’m so happy. for coming in second and enjoying the connections.He’s a great, old horse.
The draft came out in good order from post 3 and settled in the back of the five-horse field like a long shot Bezos rush onto the tracks to cross the quarter mile opening at : 22.58 on the fast main track. Carlos Olivero piloted by a pilot baby Vic track in second time Morelo who slipped clumsily from post 4, raced in third place on some tracks.
Morello and Little Vic took the lead as the field turned and looked to be a big threat to Bezos, but the pacemaker clung to a precarious half-mile lead at: 45.38 when Draft has passed favorites after time three two zones and begin to accelerate steadily from high speed at the top of the lane.
Bezos and two of his rivals overcame three-way on the track as the trio crossed the eighth column before Little Vic poked his head forward at the sixteenth marker, but Drafted continued to find more with giant strides down the center of the course under the urging of Rodriguez Castro. Little Vic single-handedly took the lead in the final 100 yards, but Drafted ducked his nose just in time to win the photo in a final time of 1:10.69.
The Morello driven by Jose Lezcano deftly ran to claim the title in the show by a distance from Bezos with Three Two Zone completing the order of the finish. Seven horses have been scratched from what was originally a 12-horse school, many to pursue other racing opportunities.
Duggan said he chose to skip the fall 3rd class on November 26 at the Aqueduct to give Drafted a break between starts.
“He’s an old horse. You can’t go out drinking every weekend – you can understand, you know,” Duggan said with a laugh. “Once he gets well, he’ll come back and he can go on. He’s a famous horse at this stage. People will write books about him.”
Now, Drafted will likely turn his attention to defending the title in the Toboggan Stakes on January 28 at the Aqueduct, the race in which he will compete for the third time in his career.
The draft is led to the winner’s circle after Gravesend Stakes
“That’s the next thing,” Duggan said. “He’s been refreshed, and he’s motivated right now. That will be the goal.”
Draftd has spent most of his career at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, where he has won Al Shindagha Sprint (G3) and Mahab Al Shimaal (G3) for previous coach Doug Watson since 2017 -20. He arrives at Duggan’s warehouse in late 2020 and despite not winning in the seven-game campaign starting 2021, he has shown rejuvenated form this year to have the best season of his career with number of wins (four).
Bred in Florida by John Foster, Barbara Hooker, and the Field Commission Partnership, Drafted was the only bet winner out of 10 ponies produced by Damn that alarm mare Keep Profits . She has seven winners from nine to race.
Drafted’s earnings were $74,250 and boosted his bankroll to $1,157,443 through a 33-10-3-4 record. He returned $14 for a $2 winning ticket.
Olivero said Little Vic, who entered after his eventual City of Laurel Stakes victory at the track that bears its name, needs to find his best stride all the way back.
Olivero said: “He lost his momentum a bit on the bend, and I had to turn around and start over. “I think we won.”
Videotapes: Gravesend S. (BT)
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
