Social Paranoia Proves the Best in Appleton Stakes
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Lauren King
Social Paranoia wins the Appleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park
The Elkstone Group's Social Paranoia picked up the first graded victory of his career when he sailed home down the center of deep stretch to win the $100,000 Appleton Stakes (G3T) March 28 at Gulfstream Park.
In a chaotic break from the gate, several runners vied for the early lead in the Appleton. Among those battling it out was Dr. Edgar, who cut between horses and shifted towards the rail to take control through the first quarter-mile :23.55.
Pressed to his outside by Maraud and El Tormenta on the backside, Dr. Edgar's lead was cut short as El Tormenta shifted up on the far outside to edge the front runners for the lead. Guided by Julien Leparoux, El Tormenta was in control by a half-length as the half-mile was clocked in :46.37.
El Tormenta's lead fared no better as the field turned for home and was backed off a bit at the three-eighths pole allowing Maraud, who was well-placed at the front, to eke out his own half-length lead as six furlongs went in 1:09.09. Not to be outrun, Sombeyay launched his own bid at the top of the stretch and was in front by a head before he was overrun on both sides in deep stretch.
With no clear leader and the finish line in site, it was Social Paranoia, ridden by Florent Geroux, who timed his move perfectly. Saving ground along the backstretch, the pair picked up pace on the far turn before angling out widest of all. Unhindered by the tightly-knit group of front runners in the stretch, Social Paranoia had more than enough running room to storm down the center of the track and kick clear of his rivals to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Final time for the mile was 1:32.81 on turf rated firm.
"I thought he got a little too far back early on, but it worked out well," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "He delivered a big closing kick. He's a horse we've always liked a lot, a lot of quality, beautiful horse. It was nice to see him get back under way today."
Video: Appleton S. (G3T)
Tyler Gaffalione, who was aboard favored March to the Arch, lodged a claim of foul against the winner after the race's end. Following a steward's inquiry, the result was upheld.
Sombeyay got up to finish second a head in front of March to the Arch. Hembree took fourth followed by Dr. Edgar, Maraud, English Bee, Mr Dumas, Ballagh Rocks, Louder Than Bombs, Smart Remark, and El Tormenta to complete the order.
Social Paranoia last raced in September, when he won the Exacta Systems Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs. The 4-year-old son of Street Boss had placed in graded stakes four times prior to his Appleton win and holds a 3-4-4 record from 12 starts with $837,760 in earnings.
“He hadn’t run since the race at Kentucky Downs," said Pletcher. "We gave him a good freshening. Donna Freyer legged him up in Camden, South Carolina, and we sent him to Bruce Jackson at Fair Hill and (they) did a great job bringing him back to us.”
Bred in Kentucky by Mineola Farm II and Silent Grove Farm, Social Paranoia is out of the Deputy Minister mare Shutterbug, who also produced Social Paranoia's full brother and winner, Dekabrist. The mare has a yearling full brother to Social Paranoia who has yet to be named.
Consigned by Brookdale Sales to the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Yearling Sale, Social Paranoia was purchased by The Elkstone Group for $75,000.
Decorated Invader Returns With Cutler Bay Victory
Gulfstream kicked off their action-packed Saturday with the $100,000 Cutler Bay Stakes over one mile on the turf, which fell the way of Decorated Invader and jockey Joel Rosario. A winner of the Summer Stakes (G1T) at 2, the son of Declaration of War made a successful sophomore debut in the Cutler Bay. He is campaigned by West Point Thoroughbreds, William Sandbrook, William Freeman, and Cheryl Manning.
Trained by Christophe Clement, Decorated Invader last raced in November, when he took fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Presented by Coolmore America (G1T). Bred in Kentucky by Redmon Farm out of the Arch mare Gamely Girl, the colt was purchased by West Point Thoroughbreds for $200,000 from the Indian Creek consignment to the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Decorated Invader wins the Cutler Bay Stakes
Three-year-old filly Highland Glory edged her competition by a neck to take the $100,000 Sanibel Island Stakes Presented by US Foods over a mile on the grass. Trained by Barclay Tagg—who scored the biggest win of the day with Tiz the Law in the Curlin Florida Derby (G1)—the win is the second of the year for Highland Glory who broke her maiden Jan. 19 at Gulfstream.
Bred in Kentucky by Bonner Young out of the Petionville mare Kristi With a K, the Sky Mesa filly is campaigned by Steadfast Stable and increased her purse earnings to $106,580.
Video: Cutler Bay S. (BT)