Never Gone South Rolls to Whiteley Win

M M G Racing Stable's Never Gone South bounced back from two tough stakes losses in a big way Jan. 16, when he romped away to 7 1/4-length victory in the $75,000 Frank Whiteley Jr. Stakes at Laurel Park.

 

After he broke on top in the five-horse field and went directly to the front under jockey Trevor McCarthy, Never Gone South galloped through easy fractions of :24.14 and :47.91 before he hit the wire for seven furlongs over a good track in 1:23.92.

 

"Trevor came into the paddock and said, 'We're just going to lead,' and I said, 'That's a plan,'" said trainer Cathal Lynch. "There wasn't a whole lot of speed in there and he's been ding-donging against some really nice horses."

 

In his two starts prior to Saturday's race, Never Gone South finished second to Vorticity in the Marylander Stakes Dec. 5 and second to Awesome Speed in the James F. Lewis Stakes Nov. 14

 

A 3-year-old son of Munnings  , Never Gone South ($3.20) has now won three of five starts, including the Strike Your Colors Stakes last August at Delaware Park. He has not finished worse than second.

 

"He showed his true class today," McCarthy said.

 

Lynch said the $75,000 Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Feb. 15 at a mile could be next for Never Gone South.

 

Also on Saturday's card, GRD Two Racing's Karen's Silk ($8) drove past Aye a Song and Lost Raven down the stretch to win the $75,000 Marshua Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by 1 1/4 lengths, and D. Hatman Thoroughbred's Sonny Inspired ($27.40), fifth in the De Francis Memorial in November, took the lead entering the stretch and drew away to a 1 3/4 length victory in the $75,000 Fire Plug Stakes for older sprinters.