Spring Hill Farm stamped himself as a promising, stakes-bound three-year-old when he won a one-mile, $53,500 allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park this afternoon by 1 1/2 lengths.
Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden to victory by John Velazquez, Spring Hill Farm broke quickly from gate four and raced away to set a good pace of :24.26 and :47.37 over a main track labeled sloppy. Two Is To Many was on his outside in second, followed by Big Blue Nation along the rail in third while Space Race sat in fourth. Unbridled Minister, Window Boy, and Vee On Rotate trailed the field.
Around the turn Spring Hill Farm continued to lead the way while Big Blue Nation and Unbridled Minister began to make up ground along the rail. Two Is To Many was not staying on strongly enough on the outside, gradually falling out of contention as the field approached the homestretch.
Spring Hill Farm was still in front after three-quarters in 1:12.83, but Unbridled Minister was charging hard on the outside and the two engaged in a stretch duel. However, Unbridled Minister was never able to get closer than a length and a half, as Spring Hill Farm gamely held him off to win in 1:39.47.
Vee One Rotate closed ground late to finish third, while Big Blue Nation completed the superfecta.
The victory gave trainer Todd Pletcher his 3,000th career win, and it's highly possible that Pletcher could bring that total even higher later this afternoon, as he many more horses entered on the Gulfstream card with legitimate chances at securing victory.
Spring Hill Farm is a son of Smart Strike and is owned by Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton. Chances are good that Spring Hill Farm's next start will come in a graded stakes race as he attempts to stamp himself as a contender for the $2,000,000 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on the first Saturday in May.
-Keelerman
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