A Perfect 10 Commandment stood by his braintrust’s convictions that he could flourish at two turns with a powerful triumph in Saturday’s $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Entering the 1 1/16-mile contest off a 6 ¾-length Mucho Macho Man Stakes score at one mile on January 3, Commandment unleashed a late surge to hold off 5-2 foe Chief Wallabee by a neck at the wire. The effort worth 50 qualifying points toward the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1) extended the Into Mischief colt’s win streak to three for trainer Brad Cox and owner Wathnan Racing (4: 3-0-0; $403,539). As the 2-1 choice Saturday, Commandment paid $6.80. Rally Tally She Be Smooth lived up to her name in spades Saturday with a dominant outing in the $205,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Paired with two-time Eclipse Award-winning rider Flavien Prat, the 3-year-old daughter of Lexitonian–Seattle Smooth trailed the field of seven as the stretch approached – but was in complete control the entire time. Under Prat’s instruction, the ascending Calumet farm filly switched out of neutral and rocketed past her contemporaries en route to a confident six-length tally. Still unbeaten through two starts (2-0-0; $162,320), She Be Smooth also picked up 50 qualifying points towards the Kentucky Oaks (G1). At 5-1 in the Davona Dale, she paid $13.60. Full Steam Ahead Iron Honor took care of business as the 4-5 choice in Saturday’s $300,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct, paying $3.88. The interesting part, however, is what comes after the one-length triumph, which earned the Nyquist bay 50 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points and a likely berth in the 152nd “Run for the Roses.” For those wondering where the intrigue lies, it’s in the fact that no Gotham champion has won the Kentucky Derby since the iconic Seabiscuit in 1973. The last Gotham victor to finish runner-up in the Derby was Easy Goer in 1989. Strong early returns – a perfect two-for-two record worth $211,750 – have at least added momentum to the Chad Brown charge’s bid to snap the decades-long drought. Ain’t It Sweet Explora left the Oaklawn Park faithful abuzz with a dazzling display of class in Sunday afternoon’s $750,000 Honeybee (G3). Slotted into post eight for the nine-horse affair, Explora, with Flavien Prat in the irons, showed the same unrelenting will that has defined her across seven dynamic starts (4-3-0 with nearly $1.1 million banked). A late challenge from 11-1 rival Counting Stars proved no threat to the sophomore Blame filly, who held firm to cross the wire three-quarters-of-a-length safe. In clinching her third career stakes badge (Grade 2 Oak Leaf, Santa Ynez), Explora also claimed 50 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points. She paid $4 as the even-money favourite. Votes Are In Through perseverance and determination, Class President stood before his peers a champion after taking Sunday’s $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park in thrilling fashion. With help from inspired 7-2 rival Silent Tactic, Class President kept fans in attendance and at home on the edge of their seats with an exhilarating portrayal of grit and tenacity. The pair ran in near lockstep from the stretch on, not giving any inkling as to which way the race would go. Ultimately, it was Class President, who under masterful campaigning from Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, prevailed by a nose. Now well on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” after netting 50 qualifying points, the Todd Pletcher-trained Uncle Mo colt has emerged as a serious factor for owners WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and First Go Racing. At 8-1 Sunday, Class President paid $19. Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
