Collaborate Rolls in Maiden Over Charlatan Half Brother

As a half-brother to grade 1 winner Charlatan, debuting Bennyfromthebronx gained notice before the fifth race at Gulfstream Park Feb. 27, but it was second-time starter Collaborate that grabbed first prize of $27,000 with a 12 1/2-length romp in the $45,000 maiden special weight.

The son of Into Mischief , a close fifth in his debut Feb. 6 after a slow break, showed more professionalism following that experience. He quickly grabbed a narrow lead in the mile dirt race under jockey Tyler Gaffalione with a quarter-mile in :23.72, and extended his advantage with splits of :46.57 and 1:11.12 while flicking his ears forward.

When Bennyfromthebronx swung into action after getting crowded at the start with a rally from ninth that brought him into second place entering the stretch, Collaborate ($4.20) easily dashed away from him to finish the distance on a fast track in 1:36.35.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. trains the winner for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm. The latter bred the colt in Kentucky.

Green-running Bennyfromthebronx held second by a half-length over Full Court Press in third, while 39-1 longshot Emperor's Cause was fourth.

Collaborate is one of three winners out of the graded stakes-winning Quiet American mare Quiet Temper, who also has an unnamed Gun Runner  2-year-old filly. He was a $600,000 purchase by bloodstock agent Mike Ryan at the Denali Stud consignment at The Saratoga Sale at Fasig-Tipton in 2019.