Ooooooooooooh, what a squeaker! Big improvement over his debut. He's coming along. He was still being fractious in the gate, but broke well in spite of it. Exciting times ahead for this guy, and we expect he may be stretching out beyond a mile in the next couple of outs.
Secret Crush #4
Gulfstream Park - Race 1 - 03/16/2024 - #4 with Irad Ortiz up
AFTER RACE REPORT
It was a tough loss for Secret Crush this afternoon in Gulfstream’s opener, finishing second by the smallest of margins. Our 3-year-old son of Candy Ride broke well from post 4 and was ridden to be forwardly placed by design. Irad Ortiz Jr. contested the lead while on the inside of a line of three horses including the post-time second-choice, #7 Reynolds Channel who loomed with an early move at the half-mile pole.
Irad was shuffled back and immediately started to work his way off the inside. #3 Dilger beat Secret Crush to the spot initially, forcing Irad to be patient and allow him to pass before moving towards his outside. Once Secret Crush got into the clear, he responded with a strong late rally and with one additional jump likely would have been the winner.
Trainer Todd Pletcher was pleased with the effort but still reported our son of Candy Ride was timid on the inside even with the addition of blinkers. All in all, it was still a positive effort. Our colt responded well to both the added distance and the addition of blinkers. It would be expected even more distance would likely suit him well with the thought of going around two turns next time as this race was contested around one turn.
We’ll follow up with more updates as we get them from the Pletcher team.
FOLLOW UP
Secret Crush returned to Palm Beach Downs this morning following his second-place finish yesterday afternoon at Gulfstream Park. Our son of Candy Ride earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure for his performance which is a 20 point jump over his debut figure of 64.
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