Hard Spun Colt Sizzles in Gulfstream Turf Debut Win

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 graded/group winners, or have dams that are graded/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

Refuel , an imposing flame-coated son of Hard Spun, set the Gulfstream Park turf course ablaze Feb. 2 with a sharp debut score for the dynamic owner/trainer combo of Repole and St. Elias Stable and Todd Pletcher.

Speed is key and #5 REFUEL ($8.60) wins on debut with @luissaezpty aboard for the @PletcherRacing team. This 3YO colt by @DarleyAmerica's Hard Spun is owned by @RepoleStable. pic.twitter.com/1GXvdQPlBt

— TVG (@TVG) February 2, 2024

Grabbing the lead from the start in the five-furlong maiden contest, Repole and jockey Luis Saez controlled the pace at every marker, zipping through a first quarter in :21.33. Given the cue turning for home, Refuel repelled any looming challenges from his rivals and gunned for the wire. The pair struck the wire 1 1/2 lengths in front in a final time of :54.99 over a firm turf course.

Speed has been the name of the game in Refuel's family. His dam, Quick Flip, herself a daughter of 2004 champion sprinter Speightstown  , was a stakes winner going six furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs and produced the grade 2-winning speedster Following Sea and graded stakes-placed filly Gimmick, whose best effort was a third-place finish in the one-turn Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) at Pimlico Race Course.

Pletcher was also the trainer of Refuel's half brother Following Sea . Currently a stallion at Rivard Stables in Canada, Following Sea was able to carry his speed to respectable runner-up placings in the 2021 Haskell Stakes (G1) and Cigar Mile (G1), but truly shined at the shorter t 6-6 1/2 furlong distances. As a 3-year-old, the son of Runhappy   faced older horses in Belmont Park's Vosburgh Stakes (G2) and stormed to a 4 3/4 length frontrunning victory over multiple grade 1 winner Firenze Fire. A month later at odds of 20-1, he overcame a troubled trip to be third against the best sprinters in the country in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar.

Refuel, bred by Spendthrift Farm, the same operation responsible for Following Sea, was purchased by Repole Stable & St. Elias Stables for $550,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.