Capital Idea

They bet him like he couldn't lose, and Grande (Curlin) came through for his supporters to win his first graded stakes in the GIII Ghostzapper Stakes on Florida Derby Day at Gulfstream Park. One of the most talked about 3-year-olds last season, both for his ability and as a high-profile vet scratch from Kentucky Derby 151 due to a foot issue, the son of Curlin has lost only once in his career--a runner-up effort in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes that preceded the Kentucky Derby drama, and subsequent layoff until...

St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable's Deterministic (Liam's Map), off since earning 'TDN Rising Star' status with a debut victory at Saratoga last August, could make his return to the races in the Mar. 2 GIII Gotham S., according to trainer Christophe Clement. "He won very impressively as a 2-year-old. We put him aside and he's on his way back," Clement said. "He's a very exciting horse to have, but the question is, where should we bring him back? He might come back in the Gotham....

5th-Aqueduct, $80,000, Msw, 1-28, 3yo, 1m, 1:40.42, sy, 8 1/4 lengths. CAPITAL IDEA (c, 3, Classic Empire--Rever de Vous {SP}, by Distorted Humor), a close-up third in his debut over this track and trip Dec. 31, went off the 2-1 second choice to take a step forward while getting Lasix for this soggy return. Settled in a stalking third by Trevor McCarthy as favored J D Factor (The Factor) led through :24.16 and :48.95 opening splits, the bay mounted his challenge three wide approaching the quarter pole, took over in...