Galilean Wins Barretts Juvenile in Debut

West Point Thoroughbreds, Denise Barker, and William Sandbrook's Galilean very much looked like a first-time starter in the Los Alamitos Race Course stretch Sept. 22, but despite some greenness, the Uncle Mo  colt's talent prevailed.

On the wrong lead and tiring a bit under jockey Drayden Van Dyke in the stretch after a duel with fellow maiden My Mandate in the $100,000 Barretts Juvenile, Galilean held off a late bid from Seven Scents to win the 6 1/2-furlong stakes by a neck.

It was the first start Galilean, who was a $600,000 purchase by West Point out of the Barretts Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, and after the colt engaged in fast fractions, he finished off the distance in 1:15.28.

My Mandate set a fast pace, as the quarter went in :21.65 and the half went in :44.86, but Galilean was just a head behind at both points of call.

"He broke a step slow, but he recovered quickly and showed really good speed," said winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. "I didn't think they would go that fast, but they did, and he handled it just fine."

Seven Scents made a three-wide move alongside the frontrunners in the sweeping Los Al turn as My Mandate tired, but Galilean kicked away to lead by 1 1/2 lengths at the furlong pole and just held on at the wire.

"He's a very classy horse and was well prepared," Van Dyke said. "He got passed at the head of the stretch, but he dug back in and that was really impressive. That's a long stretch for a 2-year-old making his first start.''

Our Silver Oak closed from fifth to finish third, and was followed by Kid Koil, Big Impression, and My Mandate, to complete the order of finish.

Bred in California by Bar C Racing Stables, out of the El Prado mare Fresia, Galilean earned $56,000 for his debut victory.

"He'll improve off that race," Hollendorfer said. "I've got a lot to work with, because he's got really good size and carries really good weight. Terry Finley (president and chief executive officer of West Point Thoroughbreds) picked this horse and made the decision to buy him. I was lucky enough to get him to train. I'm very happy to work for those folks.''