9th-Gulfstream, $40,000, Msw, 12-14, 2yo, 1m, 1:39.43, ft, 1 length.
VASSIMO (c, 2, Nyquist–Bsharpsonata {MGSW & MGISP, $595,010}, by Pulpit) worked four furlongs in :49 3/5 (12/25) out of the gate at Palm Beach Downs Dec. 6 and was off at odds of 2-1 in his debut run for Todd Pletcher at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Drawn widest of all in post nine going a one-turn mile, he stalked the leaders in a three-wide third through an opening quarter in :24.11. The bay hit the gas to take a narrow advantage on the far turn and was quickly joined by the slightly favored fellow firster Rapture (Uncle Mo) as they approached the top of the stretch. Rapture made a bold bid at him nearing the eighth pole, but Vassimo was still going strong, and turned that foe back to win by a length. The talented Bsharpsonata, also responsible for Vigilante (Tiznow), GSP, $218,377; and a yearling colt by Silver State, was bred to Epicenter for 2025. The half-sister to GII Sanford Stakes winner and Bashford Manor Stakes winner Backtalk (Smarty Jones) brought $375,000 from breeder Sierra Farm in foal to American Pharoah at the 2016 KEENOV sale. Sales history: $120,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $24,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Team Penney Racing; B-Sierra Farm (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.
Vassimo scores his first career win in the 9th race, @iradortiz gets his third victory today! #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/EdinZlkvO4
— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) December 14, 2024
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