NEWS

Awesome Act to make first dirt start in Gotham

Posted: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 8:53 PM

by Frank Angst

After finishing a close fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) in his first U.S. start, Awesome Act will race on dirt for the first time when the Awesome Again colt faces nine other three-year-olds in the $250,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) on Saturday.

Susan Roy’s and Vinery Stables’ Awesome Act finished 1¼ lengths behind winner Pounced in the Juvenile Turf. Bred in Kentucky by Flaxman Holdings, Awesome Act has one win and three other placings in six starts.

Eclipse Award-winning jockey Julien Leparoux will ship in to ride Awesome Act for trainer Jeremy Noseda.

After posting a one-length win in the Whirlaway Stakes, three-year-old gelding Peppi Knows will try to secure a second straight victory at Aqueduct in the Gotham. Philip Messina’s Peppi Knows closed out 2009 with a runner-up finish to Buddy’s Saint in the Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct before opening this year with a victory in the 1 1/16-mile Whirlaway (video). He will try that distance again on Saturday for trainer Timothy Kreiser.

The race also has attracted IEAH Stables’ I’ve Got the Fever, an impressive front-running maiden winner on February 20 at Aqueduct. Trainer John Terranova believes the Stephen Got Even colt could continue to improve.

“He's really matured since his two-year-old season, and he ran into some quality colts as a juvenile, so he's got some back class there,” Terranova said. “I think he has a lot of quality and I hope he's ready to show it. Any of these colts can step up and get good as they mature."  

Other accomplished starters include last year’s Sanford Stakes (G2) fourth-place finisher Nacho Friend, who makes his seasonal debut, and Whirlaway runner-up Afleet Again. Trainer Rick Dutrow will saddle Yawanna Twist and Todd Pletcher sends out Three Day Rush.

Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times

Gotham S.