Tackling stakes rivals for the first time, Germania Farms’ homebred
GATTOPARDO (Johannesburg) drove to a 2 3/4-length tally in Saturday’s $55,200
Miracle Wood S. at Laurel Park. The Triple Crown-nominated gray finished the
seven-furlong test in 1:24 on the fast track for trainer Timothy Tullock Jr.
Gattopardo broke alertly with Julian Pimentel, but settled into a comfortable
stalking position in second, just off the flank of pacesetter Cave’s Valley
(Stephen Got Even). After an opening quarter in :23 1/5, Gattopardo ranged up
alongside the leader through the half-mile in :46 1/5. The eventual winner was
still traveling well within himself entering the stretch, and under a modicum of
encouragement, he kicked clear in convincing fashion. Sent off as the 8-5
favorite, Gattopardo returned $5.20, $3.40 and $2.80 while spearheading the $31
exacta, $144.80 trifecta and $986.60 superfecta (6-9-8-4).
“He gave me a pretty good feeling,” Pimentel said. “The main thing was to get
him to relax, which Tim told me to do, to rate out of there and make one move,
which is what happened. He is a very nice horse.”
Apple Special (Outflanker), who had raced in third for much of the contest,
rallied for second, 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Cave’s Valley. The 7-1 runner-up
yielded $7.20 and $4.80, and the third-place finisher paid $3.80 at 4-1. There
was another seven-length gap back to Regal Solo (Louis Quatorze) in fourth,
followed by Vanderkaay (Malibu Moon), Malibu Kid (Malibu Moon), Cudjo (Yonaguska)
and Tricky Start (Jump Start). Springs Road (Repent) was scratched.
Gattopardo, which means “leopard” in Italian, boosted his bankroll to $84,540
from his 6-3-3-0 line. A Laurel maiden winner in his second career outing, he
finished runner-up in a pair of Philadelphia Park allowances before breaking
through with a dominating 4 3/4-length victory back at Laurel last time out.
The Kentucky-bred is out of stakes winner and Grade 3-placed Senza Paura (Fly
Till Dawn), who has also produced a juvenile colt named Sangalo (Golden
Missile). Senza Paura is herself a half-sister to multiple German Group 1 star
Germany (Trempolino). Gattopardo’s fourth dam is champion Silver Spoon
(Citation), heroine of the 1959 Santa Anita Derby. This is the family of Grade 1
queen Catinca (Storm Cat) and current Grade 2 victor Inca King (Sir Cat).
Tullock has mapped out a preliminary plan for Gattopardo, with the April 5
Bay Shore S. (G3) at Aqueduct up next and the May 17 Preakness S. (G1) as a
longer-range goal.
“He is a wonderful horse but needs more time,” the trainer said. “He has run
well, but all three of his wins are sprinting. I am hopeful he runs well in the
Bay Shore, and after one more start, look at the Preakness.”