Two Gulfstream Park allowance races for three-year-olds on Sunday may have
yielded new contenders for the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail.
In the 9TH race, a one-turn mile, Darley’s homebred BARBICAN (A.P. Indy) swept four-wide turning for home and
impressively drew off to a 4 1/2-length tally. Trained by Eoin Harty, the three-year-old colt was in no hurry in the
early going, having just three beaten at the half-mile
mark. The sophomore began to be asked for his best by Chris DeCarlo as the field
approached the turn for home, and the colt responded, pulling clear in
midstretch before completing the fast track event in 1:35 4/5.
The winner is noteworthy for his pedigree as well as for his performance. The dark bay was produced from the
French Group 2-winning Colour Chart (Mr. Prospector), making him a full-brother to 2001
champion two-year-old filly and Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Fillies (G1) heroine Tempera. In addition, the colt is a
half-brother to three-time Group 3 winner Equerry and listed stakes
victor Ecole d’Art (Theatrical [Ire]).
Barbican now sports a mark of 3-2-0-0 with earnings of $32,790. The colt’s
first victory came in a seven-furlong maiden at Calder on December 3.
In the 7TH race at 1 1/8 miles, Live Oak Plantation’s homebred HESANOLDSALT
(Broad Brush) drove home powerfully in the latter stages to take the allowance
tilt by three-quarters of a length. The Nick Zito trainee sat just off the
leaders early and was caught behind traffic when the field turned for home, but
the colt exploded late when clear under a heady ride from Rafael Bejarano. The
final time for nine furlongs on the fast track was a solid 1:50 2/5.
Hesanoldsalt won his second consecutive outing in moving his line to 4-2-1-1
with a bankroll of $46,140. He had previously captured a 1 1/16-mile maiden at
Calder on December 17. Out of the winning Salty Gal (Cox’s
Ridge), he is a full brother to 2002 Donn H. (G1) winner Mongoose.
The runner-up in the 7TH race, Aaron and Marie Jones’ homebred SUNRIVER
(Saint Ballado), may be one to keep an eye on as well. The Todd Pletcher-trained
three-year-old, who was coming off a win over subsequent Count Fleet S. winner
Achilles of Troy, had a wide trip for much of this race but was still 2 1/4 lengths clear of his nearest pursuer.
Produced from stakes winner Goulash (Mari’s Book), Sunriver counts himself a
full brother to recently retired champion and seven-time Grade 1 winning lass Ashado,
a finalist for another Eclipse Award for her 2005 campaign.