Albert the Great, shown winning last year's Jockey Club Gold Cup, was one of two Nick Zito trainees to set track records at Hialeah Park on Saturday.
Sent off at odds of 1-20, Albert the Great drew off in the final furlong to win Saturday's $200,000 Widener Handicap (gr. III) by 5 3/4 lengths at Hialeah Park, breaking the track record for 1 1/8 miles in the process. Earlier on the card, Zito-trained A P Valentine set a course record for 1 1/16 miles.U So Bad came home second, followed by High Security, second wagering choice Tahkodha Hills, Lyracist, Rich Celebration, and Painted Pistol.Albert the Great tracked pacesetter High Security through a half-mile run in :46.74 under Jorge Chavez. He then began to challenge the leader, moving to within a half-length of the leader after six furlongs run in 1:09.99. Albert the Great took over on the second turn and kicked clear in the stretch, running the final furlong in a quick :11.51. He completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:45.52 on a fast track.Tracy Farmer's Albert the Great finished second to subsequent Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner Captain Steve in his 4-year-old debut, February's Donn Handicap (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park. The win his the first for the Nick Zito trainee since the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) in October at Belmont Park, and his sixth in 15 career starts. The son of Go for Gin--Bright Feather, by Fappiano, has earned $1, 487,490. He was bred in Kentucky by Albert Clay.Albert the Great paid $2.10, $2.10, and $2.10. U So Bad returned $2.40 and $2.10. High Security was worth $2.10 to show. The winning exacta returned $17.40. (Chart, Equibase)
