NEWS
Connemara gives Pletcher Triple Crown trail trifecta
Posted: Saturday, February 20, 2010 8:31 PM
CONNEMARA
Vassar Photography
To view the El Camino Real Derby, click here.
by Mike Curry
After winning major Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) prep races in Florida and Louisiana on Saturday afternoon, trainer Todd Pletcher completed the trifecta when Connemara won the $150,000 El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields.
The Giant’s Causeway colt rallied from last under Russell Baze and surged clear in the closing strides to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Sent off as the 1.30-to-1 favorite, Connemara completed 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic Tapeta Footings surface in 1:51.26 for his third win in four starts.
Connemara rebounded from a runner-up finish to Ranger Heartley in the California Derby on January 16 at Golden Gate to nail down his first career stakes win. A half brother to multiple Grade 1 winner and sire Lion Heart, Connemara was produced by the stakes-winning Mr. Leader mare Satin Sunrise.
Earlier Saturday, Pletcher’s Eskendereya rolled to an 8 1/2-length romp in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park and 16 minutes later Discreetly Mine powered to a clear, front-running victory in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Haimish Hy closed gamely for second, one length clear of Posse Power. Ranger Heartley set the tempo through a half-mile in :49.56 and six furlongs in 1:13.10 before fading in the stretch to finish fifth in the nine-horse field.
Connemara won both of his starts at two, closing from well off the pace to win by five lengths in an October maiden special weight race at Turfway Park and rallying for a half-length win in a November allowance race at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park meeting. He has earned $147,800 for owners Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, and Derrick Smith.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
