Pletcher Adds Two New Winners at Gulfstream Park

This column highlights the performances of maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are grade/group winners, or have dams that are grade/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners in particular who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.

Gulfstream Park

My Racehorse and Spendthrift Farm's Iron Works  made a successful debut Jan. 8 when he outran a field of eight other 3-year-olds to take a six-furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, the Distorted Humor  colt was a $550,000 purchase at the Ocala Breeders Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds where he was consigned by Mayberry Farm.

Racing under Luis Saez, Iron Works sat just off the leader as fractions went in :22.27 and :45.13 through a half-mile. Iron Works took over around the far turn and pulled clear in the stretch to win by four lengths in a final time of 1:09.76 on a fast main track.

Bred by Sierra Farm, Iron Works is out of the Indian Charlie mare Silverpocketsfull, who was third in the 2015 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1).

The following day at the Hallandale Beach oval, another pricey maiden from the Pletcher barn delivered a convincing victory in maiden special weight company. Stonestreet Stables' Favor  won a one-mile dirt test by 3 3/4 lengths under jockey Paco Lopez in her second start.

The Pioneerof the Nile filly had started once prior, finishing fourth in her Nov. 27 debut at Aqueduct Racetrack. In Sunday's race, she raced in third early as the first quarter-mile went in :23.77 and a half-mile went in :46.13. Advancing around the bend, she overtook the leaders into the lane and pulled away smartly, stopping the clock in 1:36.64 on a fast track.

Bred by Diamond Creek Farm, Favor is out of the Unbridled's Song mare Fame and Fortune, a daughter of multiple grade 1 winner Stop Traffic . Favor was purchased for $500,000 from the Gainesway consignment to Fasig-Tipton's Selected Yearling Showcase Sale.

Earlier in the week, Glider , a half brother to grade 2 winner Fast Boat , also broke through the maiden ranks in his second start for trainer Mark Casse and owner D.J. Stable.

The son of Quality Road   and Yellow Boat (Lemon Drop Kid) set a track record when capturing a one-mile and 70-yard maiden contest on Gulfstream's new synthetic Tapeta surface. Ridden by Edwin Gonzalez, Glider raced in seventh, moved into fifth as a half-mile went in :47.61 and closed powerfully to take the lead in late stretch. Glider won by 4 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:41.14 on a fast track.

Turfway Park

Trainer Brad Cox had a new winner Friday when American Hero  took a one-mile maiden test on the all-weather track at Turfway Park in his third start.

Racing for Twin Creeks Racing Stables, Ronald Ortyl, and 4 G Racing, the Constitution   colt was settled in third by jockey Joe Talamo before giving a tenacious run to the wire to win by a length in a final time of 1:40.50 on a fast track.

In his first two starts, American Hero finished off the board in his Oct. 31 debut at Churchill Downs and then returned Dec. 11 to finish fourth at Turfway.

Bred by Twin Creeks Farm, American Hero is out of the Forest Wildcat mare Jehan, who also produced grade 2 winner Pure Silver.