Social Inclusion Second in 2015 Debut
Description:
Rontos Racing Stable's graded stakes-placed Social Inclusion finished second in his 2015 debut and first start for trainer Chad Brown April 26, as front-runner Big Looie stole a $46,000 allowance event going one mile at Gulfstream Park .
The Gulfstream start was a first for Social Inclusion, third-place finisher in the 2014 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), since a seventh-place finish in the July 27 William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I). Following that race he was moved from trainer Manny Azpurua to Brown and then given time to heal from a tendon injury.
BLOOD-HORSE STAFF: Social Inclusion Set for Season Debut
Social Inclusion got a good tracking trip in second as the 1-5 favorite in a field of six under jockey Jose Lezcano, but could not close on Big Looie, who opened up a three-length lead while setting fractions of :23.08, :45.10, and 1:09.57, then carried on through seven-eighths in 1:22.39 en route to a 1:35.89 score on a fast track under jockey Jose Caraballo.
"He felt good. The only thing I think was that the heat maybe got to him a little bit," Lezcano said. "Other than that he did everything right."
When it became clear that Social Inclusion would not catch the leader, Lezcano did not push him approaching the wire.
"He just went the same pace. He never really accelerated," he said. "I just let him finish the race."
Big Looie paid $17.40, $4.20, and $2.80 while ahead of Social Inclusion by 4 1/2 lenghts. The favorite returned $2.10 and $2.10 while 7 1/2 lengths clear of Decisive Moment, who brought $3.80.
Ron Sanchez of Rontos Racing Stable, on hand at Gulfstream for his horse's return, said although he was disappointed with the result, he was happy with how his horse looked and with how he has come back from his injury. The son of Pioneerof the Nile was making his first start at Gulfstream since drawing off to an emphatic 10-length victory over the highly regarded grade II winner Honor Code in his second career start last March. The Kentucky-bred also broke his maiden at Gulfstream, doing so by more than seven lengths in his career debut in February of his 3-year-old season en route to graded stakes-placings in races like TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial (gr. I) and the Woody Stephens (gr. II).
"I was not expecting to lose, but it was his first race," Sanchez said."He had a 9-month layoff. I'm just happy that he looks wonderful, and Chad Brown did a wonderful job. The most important thing is he's back and he's healthy."
An Illinois-bred son of Military, 8-year-old Big Looie was claimed for $30,000 from his breeder, S. D. Brillie, by owner Ron Hendrickson and trainer Jorge Navarro in his previous start. He won that March 18 event at Gulfstream going a mile as well. The April 26 win improved his record to 10-7-6 from 48 starts.