Flexibility (Bluegrass Cat) was backed all the way down to 1-2 in Saturday's GIII Jerome S. at Aqueduct, and enjoyed a perfect trip en route to a convincing 4 1/4-length success to cap a big day for his connections. Owners Klaravich Stables (Seth Klarman) and Bill Lawrence and trainer Chad Brown were also represented by Life Imitates Art (More Than Ready), who had annexed Gulfstream's GIII Dania Beach S. less than an hour earlier.
Avoiding any trouble when Donegal Moon (Malibu Moon) tossed his rider directly inside of him at the start, Flexibility was reined in by Irad Ortiz to draft behind a three-way duel up front led by Vorticity (Distorted Humor). Advancing ominously on the home bend after a half in :47.31, the bay overtook the leaders with a four-wide run approaching the straight and kicked away from the pacesetter despite hinting at some greenness. In Equality (Quality Road) rallied for third.
“He broke very sharp today, I had to take a hold of him to get him back,” said Ortiz. “I was told they wanted him to rate and save ground. When I asked, he took off and I just wanted him to be able to switch leads in the stretch and finish in the stretch. He did it easy.”
A debut graduate sprinting in New York-bred company over a pair of next-out winners at Belmont Oct. 10, Flexibility found only early GI Kentucky Derby favorite Mohaymen (Tapit) better in both the GII Nashua S. and GII Remsen S. over the local main track Nov. 4 and Nov. 28, respectively.
“It's very exciting to have him continue to perform well going in these races,” said Cherie DeVaux, assistant to Chad Brown. “Hopefully each one he can continue to step up. He's been professional throughout. He just steps it up each time. It was a very professional effort, sitting behind the speed today and moving on cue. The race set up well for him. He's always been a big, strong colt who did everything correct. Chad and the owners will talk about what's next for him. After following Moyhamen it was a good feeling to see him get his head in front of the other horses.”
The winner's second dam, MGSW Santa Catalina, produced GISW Golden Missile (A.P. Indy). Flexibility has a recently turned 2-year-old half-brother by Sidney's Candy. His dam was bred back to Bellamy Road last season.
Saturday, Aqueduct
JEROME S.-GIII, $200,000, AQU, 1-2, 3yo, 1m 70y, 1:42.98, ft.
1–#@FLEXIBILITY, 116, c, 3, by Bluegrass Cat
1st Dam: Santa Vindi, by Vindication
2nd Dam: Santa Catalina, by Cure the Blues
3rd Dam: Swept Off Her Feet, by Forceten
($80,000 Ylg '14 SARAUG; $185,000 2yo '15 FTFMAR).
O-Klaravich Stables Inc. & William H. Lawrence; B-WinStar
Farm LLC (NY); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $120,000.
Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, $256,000. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.[bullet ad=”denali-bredbywinstarsoldbydenali”][bullet ad=”sugarmaple-borntorun”][bullet ad=”nytb-20000″]
2–Vorticity, 120, c, 3, Distorted Humor–Tar Heel Mom, by
Flatter. ($100,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP; $220,000 2yo '15 EASMAY).
O-Matthew Schera; B-Upson Downs Farm & Winstar Farm LLC
(KY); T-James L. Lawrence, II. $40,000.[bullet ad=”equix-2yo-selection-brendan-heeney”][bullet ad=”bobo-tami-secure-investments”]
3–In Equality, 116, c, 3, Quality Road–Inish Glora, by Regal
Classic. ($190,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP). O-Treadway Racing Stable;
B-Robert J. Costigan (KY); T-Leah Gyarmati. $20,000.[bullet ad=”crupi-trained”]
Margins: 4 1/4, 2HF, 9 3/4. Odds: 0.55, 7.70, 22.40.
Also Ran: Bird of Trey, Let Me Go First, Condo King, Silent Assassin, Donegal Moon. Scratched: King Kranz.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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