Tusk Makes the Grade in Tropical Turf
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Ryan Thompson
Tusk wins the Tropical Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park
Jordan Wycoff's Tusk rebounded from a troubled trip in the Claiming Crown Emerald Stakes to break through in the $100,000 Tropical Turf Stakes (G3T) Jan. 11 at Gulfstream Park.
The Tropical Turf was Tusk's second start since moving to the barn of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. The 7-year-old Tapit gelding was a $32,000 claim at Belmont Park in October.
"Today, he got a perfect trip," Joseph said. "The speed went, and he dropped in behind them. This is probably his best distance—a mile. I know he's won further, but if he gets a fast-run mile, it fits him really good."
Tusk, who managed third in the Dec. 7 Claiming Crown Emerald after fighting traffic, was off at 8-1 Saturday under Tyler Gaffalione. Gemonteer showed speed early, setting fractions of :22.91 and :45.22 through the first half-mile, while Tusk settled fourth in the two path. Gidu pressed the pace, leaving Gemonteer with only a head lead, and favorite A Thread of Blue was up in third three wide.
No more than 2 1/2 lengths off the pace, Tusk was ready to pick off the rivals in front of him heading into the stretch. Gemonteer was through after the first half, but Gidu hung tough in second. Tusk sailed past A Thread of Blue, then Gidu, and also had Maraud chasing him throughout. Even in a field of stakes-experienced horses, Tusk proved best and cleared Gidu to win by two lengths. He completed the mile in 1:32.83 on a firm course.
"He carried me the whole way around there," Gaffalione said. "I took a nice hold, and he traveled really well throughout. Coming into the stretch, there was a spot that opened up between Johnny (Velazquez on Gidu) and (Emisael) Jaramillo (on Gemonteer). I had enough horse at that point, so when I chirped to him, he exploded right through there and finished the job."
Gidu held off Maraud by a length for second. Maraud was followed home by A Thread of Blue, Exulting, Empire of War, Sand Dancer, Big Agenda, and Gemonteer.
The Tropical Turf improved Tusk's record to 8-7-6 in 37 starts and his earnings to $441,317.
"I was really excited about him last time," Joseph said, referring to the Claiming Crown Emerald. "He was training tremendous. It was a little disappointing he got beat. Today, he was jumping up again. That's why we took a shot—don't let that one race set us back."
Tusk was bred in Kentucky by Flaxman Holdings out of the Shamardal mare It's Midnight, a stakes winner in France and a half sister to group 1-placed Holocene. He also descends from the family of champion grass mare Zagora.