Ocean Atlantique Overwhelms Rivals in Dust Commander
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Photo: Coady Photography
Ocean Atlantique wins the Dust Commander Stakes at Turfway Park
Dismissed at 19-1 odds in his black-type return, Ocean Atlantique whisked to the front and never looked back en route to a 5 1/4 length triumph in the Feb. 18 $125,000 Dust Commander Stakes at Turfway Park.
Running for the colors of Three Diamonds Farm and trained by Mike Maker, Ocean Atlantique carved out early fractions of :23.85 and :47.65 before striking the six-furlong marker in 1:11.70 1 1/2 lengths in front. Although his rivals gave chase, he cut the corner and kicked clear, rolling home in a final time of 1:42.75 over the all-weather surface.
Walter Rodriguez guided Ocean Atlantique ($19.84) to his fourth career victory and first stakes win since his 2020 tally in a listed stakes in France.
In a blanket finish for runner-up honors, Camp Hope narrowly prevailed over Beatbox . Grade 1 winner and race favorite In Love was fourth.
Acquired by Three Diamonds for $180,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale, the 6-year-old gelding is a son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and is one of three winners produced from the Giant's Causeway mare Tare Green. She in turn hails from the family of 2005 champion turf male Leroidsanimaux.
Bred in Kentucky by Indian Creek Farm, Ocean Atlantique improved his record to 4-4-2 from 21 starts and increased his earnings to $276,120.