Cowboy Cal enjoys the distinction of winning the first graded stakes race of 2008 for three-year-olds, the Tropical Park Derby (G3) at Calder Race Course on New Year's Day.
In the past that might not have attracted much attention since the Tropical Park is run over the turf course. It was Cowboy Cal's third consecutive grass victory and his second grass stakes win after closing out 2007 winning the Laurel Futurity. His only career loss at that point came in his only non-turf course start, a seventh place finish in his career debut over the dirt at Saratoga Race Course.
But it quickly became newsworthy when it was pointed out that Barbaro's early claim to fame also came on the turf, winning both the Tropical Park and the Laurel Futurity.
It cannot be said that trainer Todd Pletcher lacks a sense of history, as he has pointed out that he is "taking the Barbaro route" with Cowboy Cal, indicating his aspirations to take the colt to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
"He [Cowboy Cal] trained really well on dirt from the beginning, but his first race was a little disappointing, although it was a sprint," Pletcher said. "Then, he worked good on the grass and the Giant's Causeway's do well on turf, so we mapped out a program that included the Laurel Futurity and he was pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and so was Why Tonto, but neither one got in. We will definitely try Cowboy Cal back on the dirt, possibly the Fountain of Youth [G2] and go from there."
Pletcher finally opted for the Hallandale Beach Stakes on February 16 over the Gulfstream Park turf course for both Cowboy Cal and Why Tonto, and the four-time Eclipse Award winning trainer ran 1-2 in the Hallandale.
Except this time it was Why Tonto in the winner's circle after the Indian Charlie colt wore down 1-to-2 favorite Cowboy Cal for a 1 1/2-length victory.
"Why Tonto ran an improved race today while Cowboy Cal was a little rank and didn't handle the first turn too well, although he still ran a good race to be second after those [fast] fractions," Pletcher said after the Hallandale. "I think there are things he [Cowboy Cal] can improve on from here. We'll see how they come back and see where we go from there. Nothing today would necessarily chnage any plans [possible start in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland Race Course on April 12] for Cowboy Cal."
Jockey John Velazquez, after winning the Tropical Park Derby (G3):
"This is such a super horse to ride. We were in the spot we wanted the entire race, but going around the first turn and for a bit down the backside he got a little aggressive. I was able to settle him down though, especially once we got the lead. It seemed like he was pouring it on in the stretch, but he was actually relaxed and doing it pretty easily."