Front-Running Constitution Shows Class in Donn

Constitution regained his top form in winning the Donn Handicap on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Lauren King/Gulfstream Park)
Constitution returned to the setting of his most important career victory prior to the Grade 1 Donn Handicap on Saturday at Gulfstream Park and delivered a performance that perhaps exceeded his Florida Derby triumph 10 months ago.
The bay Tapit colt went right to the front in the $500,000 Donn Handicap and set a comfortable pace through a half-mile in :47.29.
Commissioner, a stablemate in the barn of Todd Pletcher, moved ahead to challenge Constitution and 2014 Donn winner Lea advanced to third after three-quarters of a mile. Constitution spurted away under Javier Castellano to a clear lead near the eighth pole and then battled willingly to hold off a final surge from Lea for a three-quarter-length victory.
The 2.80-to-1 second betting choice in the nine-horse field, Constitution completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.51 to improve to four wins in six starts. Despite the lack of races on his resume, Constitution already has eclipsed the seven-figure plateau in earnings with $1,004,096 for owners WinStar Farm and Twin Creeks Racing Stable.
Constitution opened his career with three straight wins, capped by a neck victory in the Besilu Florida Derby. He was sidelined with an injury that prevented him from competing in the 2014 Triple Crown races but returned to racing in October at Belmont Park, where he suffered his first defeat, and finished the year with third-place finish in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs.
The Donn Handicap was the season debut for Constitution and he sure looked like he was back in elite form with a win that was more comfortable than the final margin might indicate. Judging by the Donn win, Constitution should be a major player in the older male division in 2015.
Bred by Grapestock LLC and Fox Hill Farms, Constitution is out of Group 3-placed winner Baffled, by Distorted Humor.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
STRETCH DRIVE FROM CONSTITUTION SEALS VICTORY

Photo by Kenny Martin/Gulfstream Park