Horse Racing
Jack Shinar 12y

Doubles Partner storms home for win

Horse Racing

Doubles Partner showed little effect from a 10-month layoff when he charged home late to register a three-quarters of a length victory in the $150,000 Canadian Turf Stakes March 3 on the Gulfstream Park turf.

Ridden by Julien Leparoux, the stalking Doubles Partner rallied smartly from third at mid-stretch to complete the one-mile event in 1:32.56 on firm going. Trend, who pressed pacesetter Little Mike throughout only to be tagged in the final yards, had to settle for second. The late-running Data Link got up for third.

Little Mike, looking for a repeat win in the Canadian Turf and his fifth consecutive victory, finished fourth as the even-money choice in the field of eight. It was only the second time in seven starts that Little Mike was beaten on the Gulfstream turf course.

Doubles Partner, trained by Todd Pletcher for owner WinStar Farm, was making his first start since a hard-fought third-place effort in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs May 7. The 5-year-old bay horse won the Tampa Bay Stakes prior to Turf Classic last spring and also captured Churchill's American Turf Stakes as a 3-year-old in 2010.

Arthur I. Appleton bred the winning son of Rock Hard Ten in Florida. He is out of the Rahy mare Serena's Sister, a full sister to champion Serena's Song, a member of the National Racing Hall of Fame. Doubles Partner cost $450,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling in August 2008.

After an even break, Little Mike, angling over from his far outside post for Joe Bravo, gained the advantage over Trend, ridden by Paco Lopez, to lead by about one length while carving fractions of :23.98, :47.02, and 1:09.32. Doubles Partner, along the inside, raced near mid-pack.

Trend upped the pressure on Little Mike rounding the far turn and inched ahead in the stretch as Doubles Partner angled out and took aim at the leaders. Trend put away a determined Little Mike in deep stretch but was immediately tackled by Doubles Partner, who swept past under firm hand urging from Leparoux.

Holding second by three parts of a length was 29-1 shot Trend. Data Link was along in time for Alex Solis to land third by a head over Little Mike. Beaux Choice, Seruni, Mutual Trust, and Perfect Footprint completed the order.

Doubles Partner earned $90,000 for his fifth lifetime win in 12 starts and has now banked $443,960.

The winner carried 117 pounds and paid $9, $5.20, and $4 as the third choice. Trend, in his stakes debut for trainer Mark Frostad, returned $16.80 and $9.60 and completed a $127.20 exacta. In his first start in a graded stakes, Data Link was $4.40 to show for trainer Shug McGaughey.

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