Dolphus Outruns Quality Field at Aqueduct
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/ Robert Mauhar
Dolphus wins at Aqueduct over a field that included a Derby contender and a grade 1-placed colt
Aqueduct Racetrack's third race April 23, a $100,000 optional-claiming allowance race, could have been mistaken for a stakes event.
The field of five included Economic Model, runner up in the Ketel One King's Bishop Stakes (G1), graded stakes-placed Turco Bravo, and Shagaf, who was pulled up in his last race—the 2016 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
William Lawrence and Klaravich Stables' Economic Model was slated as the even-money, morning-line favorite, but it was Dede McGehee's Dolphus who drew the betting public's attention. The 4-year-old colt by Lookin At Lucky , who previously finished fourth in the Stymie Stakes and ninth in the Hal's Hope Stakes (G3) in his only graded stakes effort, went off at odds of 6-5.
Taking advantage of a fast break, Dolphus went to the lead in the one-mile test and set fractions of :23.57 for the first quarter and :46.46 for a half-mile. He opened up by four lengths in the stretch, but Splashtastic closed to finish second by 1 3/4 lengths. Final time for the distance was 1:35.27 on a fast track.
Economic Model finished third, another three lengths back, with Turco Bravo and Shagaf completing the order of finish. The former Derby contender was never better than fourth throughout the contest.
Bred by Heaven Trees Farm, Dolphus is out of Lotta Kim, dam of the Hall of Fame runner Rachel Alexandra. Dolphus, trained by Jimmy Jerkens, now has a record of four wins and a third from 10 starts and has earnings of $142,090.