Venetian Sunset Sets Mile Mark in Gulf Allowance

WinStar Farm's 4-year-old Venetian Sunset, trained by Todd Pletcher, set a track record for a mile at Gulfstream Park of 1:34.11, winning Saturday's third-race allowance by 10 lengths under jockey John Velazquez.

A $1.4 million Keeneland September yearling purchase by Old Trieste, Venetian Sunset was making only his third career start. He won his debut at Churchill Downs Nov. 8 and finished 10th over the Gulfstream track Jan. 7 as the favorite in a six-furlong allowance heat.

Venetian Sunset's clocking broke Pletcher-trained stablemate Bandini's mark of 1:34:19 set March 1. Two other Pletcher-trained runners also hold track records at this meet. Keyed Entry established the standard for 7½ furlongs in the Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 4 and Exclusive Quality posted the 7-furlong record March 4.