This Ones for Phil, making his first start for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. after being purchased privately by Paul Pompa Jr., took over at the top of the lane from 6-5 favorite You Luckie Mann and drew away for a 2 1/4-length victory in the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Dash (VIDEO) for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park Jan. 24.
Ridden by Edgar Prado for the first time, This Ones for Phil stalked the pace in fourth through the backstretch while Ju Jitsu Jax, You Luckie Mann and Backbackbackgone set the pace. The gelded son of Untuttable–Heaven’s Gate inched closer from a three-wide position as they approached the turn and came on to tackle You Luckie Mann, who had put away the other two challengers under Jermaine Bridgmohan.
The Ones for Phil opened up a half-length advantage at the eighth-pole and drew away to win in a final time of 1:09.10 for six furlongs on the main track. He went off at odds of 11-1.
“It set up beautifully for us from the start," Prado said. "I didn’t have to work too much. Once I hit the turn, all I was concerned with was making sure nothing out of the ordinary would happen. We knew we pretty much had it at the turn. Everything went according to plan as they say. We had a lot left at the end. This is a strong horse.”
You Luckie Mann, a runaway winner two starts back in the Birdonthewire Stakes at Calder Race Course, settled for second, 5 1/4 lengths in front of Kelly Leak.
Bred in Florida by Gilbert Campbell, This Ones for Phil entered the Dash with a 2-1-1 record from eight starts for previous trainer Kathleen O’Connell. His lone blacktype win came last September at Calder in the one-mile Seacliff Stakes.
"Since the Fountain of Youth has been shortened to a mile (Feb. 28) we’ll consider that race," said bloodstock agent Nick Sallusto, who purchased the horse for Pompa. "I think a one-turn mile would suit him about perfect.”
The winner, sent off as the sixth choice in a field of 10, paid $25.40, $8.60 and $5.20. The exacta (9-11) returned $65, while the $1 trifecta (9-11-7) was worth $139.60.
