Halladay Returns to Gulfstream Park a Winner

After not drawing in to the March 28 Appleton Stakes (G3T) as an also-eligible entry, Harrell Ventures' 4-year-old colt Halladay led wire to wire to take the April 4 feature race at Gulfstream Park, drawing away by three lengths. 

"He's a talented horse," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "We were on the AE (list) for the stake the other day. We're happy to have the opportunity to run him."

Halladay was fourth last out in his graded debut, the Feb. 8 Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, but closed his sophomore season with a victory in the Dec. 28 Tropical Park Derby going 1 1/16 miles on Gulfstream's turf. 

"It was a pretty roughly run race at Tampa. He was involved in three or four horses bouncing off each other in the top of the stretch," Pletcher said. "He really seems to like Gulfstream."

Running a mile in a third-level allowance optional claiming event, the son of War Front  was a 2-1 second choice behind Team Valor International's First Premio. Halladay broke from the outside post in a field of 10 but hurried to the front under jockey Luis Saez. He led through fractions of :23.64, :46.39, and 1:08.95 before pulling away to finish in 1:32.65 on firm turf.

Kroy tracked the pace all the way to finish second, and Penalty rallied from seventh to finish third, edging Class and Cash, who was almost third throughout. First Premio was last through the first half and got up for fifth.

Halladay, who is also multiple stakes-placed on New York's turf, improved his record to 4-2-4 from 11 starts and increased his earnings to $243,845. He was a $225,000 RNA at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

The gray/roan colt was bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds and Winchell Thoroughbreds. He is out of dual grade 3 winner Hightap, by Tapit , and his full siblings, War of Ideas and Tap of War, are both winners. Hightap foaled a Union Rags  filly Feb. 11 and is also the dam of a Gun Runner  yearling filly.

One race later, Courtlandt Farm's Sonneman made a winning 3-year-old debut going seven furlongs on Gulfstream's main track in a $39,000 first-level allowance optional claiming event. The Curlin  colt, off at 5-1, last raced Oct. 5 when he broke his maiden at Belmont Park.

His first victory came with a rallying effort, as did his success Saturday. Joel Rosario rode the dark bay/brown colt, who was last of eight as favorite I'll Fight Dempsey set early fractions of :22.66 and :44.82. Sonneman, who was six to seven paths wide, rallied down the middle of the stretch and ran past the field. He crossed the wire 1 1/2 lengths in front with a final time of 1:23.70 on a fast track.

Golden Candy and Ralston finished second and third, respectively. I'll Fight Dempsey was fourth.

Sonneman, who has two wins and a second from four starts, pushed his earnings to $83,325. He was a $375,000 purchase by Courtlandt from Winter Quarter Farm's consignment to the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Arnold Zetcher bred the colt in Kentucky out of the Brazilian mare Zardana, a Crimson Tide daughter who won the Bayakoa Handicap (G2). Zardana's first foal, Smart Transition, is by Curlin's sire, Smart Strike, and won the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Her latest foal, a colt born Feb. 13, is by Curlin's son Good Magic .