Calibrachoa reeled in entrymate Driven by Success to give trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Mike Repole a sweep of the top two spots in the $65,000 Gravesend Stakes Dec. 18 at Aqueduct Racetrack (VIDEO).
Claimed for $40,000 by Repole Stable out of a 4 ¼-length victory at the Big A Oct. 14 in his most recent start, Calibrachoa settled in fifth as Driven by Success dueled with Footcandles and Ju Jitsu Jax through an opening quarter-mile in 22.13. David Cohen gave Calibrochoa his cue midway on the far turn, and the colt made a steady run on the outside to grab the lead with a sixteenth to travel. He came oway with a 1 ½-length triumph over Driven by Success.
Calibrachoa, part of a coupled entry that went off as the 3-2 favorite, returned $5 to his backers, completing six furlongs in 1:08.85.
“We didn’t want Calibrachoa and Driven by Success butting heads, so I told David to keep an eye on him and the others,” said Pletcher. “He settled into a good spot, tipped out wide, and finished strongly. We’ll probably send him to the Toboggan.”
The $100,000 Toboggan (gr. III) is Jan. 22 at six furlongs.
Previously trained by Steve Asmussen for breeder Nelson Bunker Hunt, the winning 3-year-old son of Southern Image --Fort Lauderdale, by Montbrook, is 5-3-1 from 11 starts and has earned $160,540, including the $39,000 winner’s share of the Gravesend purse.
“[Calibrachoa] was pretty straight-and-narrow,” said Cohen. “He settled well, circled the field, and gave me a very strong finish. He was obviously very well prepared.”
The Gravesend was one of four wins on the day for Cohen, who also took race 4 with Dr Disco ($4.10), race 7 with Black Pen ($3.40), and race 9 with Fortheloveof Anna ($7.20). The all-Cohen Late Pick 3 paid $36.60 for a winning $2 wager.
Endless Circle finished third in the Gravesend, with Ju Jitsu Jax, Ravalo, Footcandles, and Jack On the Rocks completing the order of finish. Mesa Sunrise was scratched.
Calibrachoa and David Cohen take the Gravesend.
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