Willmott Stables' Eddington turned in a strong performance Saturday to win the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) by 3 ¼ lengths over Pies Prospect.Rated off the pace set first by Zakocity and then by Pies Prospect, Eddington and jockey Eibar Coa made their move while three wide around the far turn to reach the leaders. The 4-year-old son of Unbridled then took over entering the stretch and drew off to win as he pleased, getting the 1 3/16 miles in 1:54.74.The winner paid $5.20, $3.20, and $2.40 , with Pies Prospect second at $4.60 and $3.00, and Zakocity paying $3.40 for his third-place finish.Bred in Kentucky by Carl Rosen Associates, Eddington has won five of 15 starts, with eight second- or third-place finishes while earning $866,760. Previous to Saturday's victory, Eddington finished third to Saint Liam and Roses in May in the Donn Handicap (gr. I)."He's a better horse this year than he was last year," said winning trainer Mark Hennig. "He's been running in tough company. I don't think people give him enough credit."Hennig was non-committal on the next start for Eddington.
"I rode him with confidence because he showed me he was himself again and I'm very happy he did it again," Coa said. "He ran real big race."(Chart, Equibase)
Eibar Coa, aboard Eddington, en route to victory in the Gulfstream Park Handicap.
