NEWS
Unbeaten Sorcerer's Stone dominates Arlington Futurity
Posted: Sunday, September 18, 2005
Unbeaten Sorcerer's Stone ran away from his competition on Sunday as he dominated the $198,500 Arlington-Washington Breeders' Cup Futurity (G3) by 8 1/2 lengths at Arlington Park.
The dark bay or brown son of Gulch crushed a field of eight juvenile rivals as he rallied to open a five-length lead in the stretch in his graded stakes debut to win for the third time in as many starts.
After dropping back to third early to rate behind Red Raymond and Brunzer through the first half-mile, the winner dominated the second half of the one-mile race and showed that increased distance most likely will not be a problem as he drew away to cover the distance in a stakes-record 1:35.16 on a fast track.
"He's a very gutsy little horse," winning jockey Mark Guidry said. "He showed that the first time I rode him. Today, he did it real nice. He relaxed well and turning up the lane, when I pressed on him, he went."
Ridden with confidence by Guidry, Sorcerer's Stone was never threatened by a late rally from runner-up Charley Tango. Red Raymond finished another 1 1/4 lengths back in third.
Trained by Patrick Byrne, Sorcerer's Stone earned his first stakes victory in the Honest Pleasure Stakes on July 31 at the suburban Chicago track. He earned a half-length win in his racing debut at Churchill Downs on July 3.
A half brother to multiple graded stakes placed winner Holiday Thunder, Robert Sheppard's Sorcerer's Stone boosted his bankroll to $177,645.
Bred in Kentucky by Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds, he is one of four winners from eight starters out of winning Slew o' Gold mare Magical Holiday, a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner Dramatic Gold.
Please see chart courtesy of Equibase at
http://www.equibase.com
