To view the Washington Park Handicap, click here.
by Tim Nichols
Feel The Thunder Stables’ Gran Estreno (Arg) handled a significant step up in class on Saturday with a win in the Washington Park Handicap (G3) at Arlington Park.
The six-year-old Lucky Roberto horse won four straight claiming races followed by a victory in the Claiming Crown Emerald Stakes on July 25 in his most recent start prior to capturing the Washington Park.
Given a masterful ride by veteran Arlington rider E. T. Baird, Gran Estreno lulled the field to sleep in the 1 3/16-mile race on the synthetic Polytrack surface, covering the distance in 2:00.16.
Trained by Michael Stidham, Gran Estreno posted leisurely fractions of :52.42 through a half-mile and 1:43.24 through a mile and maintained an open-length lead throughout the race. By the time Dubious Miss and Wicked Style tried to mount a bid in the stretch, Gran Estreno easily repelled those challenges en route to his sixth straight win.
“That last quarter-mile, we were throwing down some serious fractions,” Baird said. “If anyone was going to run by us they would have been much the best, because my horse was giving it everything he had.”
Gran Estreno, who was claimed twice for $20,000 this year, secured a starting spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) with the win via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series. Gran Estreno is not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup and would have to pay a supplemental fee to run in the November 7 race at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park meeting.
Gran Estreno improved to nine wins in 21 career starts and boosted his earnings to $295,281 with the win. Bred in Argentina, Gran Estreno is one of four winners from five starters out of the winning Senor Pete mare Great Stampa.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Tim Nichols is internet content editor of Thoroughbred Times