Gantry emerges triumphant from the Smile Sprint Handicap at Calder
After racing in contention with, Artefacto, for most of the race, it was Gantry whose motivation and skill took him forward in the Grade 2, $400,000 Smile Sprint Handicap at Calder Casino and racecourse on 7th July, 2012.
Racing over a distance of six furlongs, the Saffie A. Joseph trained, Artefacto, and Indiano were the pacesetters and, Gantry, stalked them in third.
Courtesy of his swift pace, Artefacto, completed the opening quarter of a mile in 21.43 seconds. After this, Gantry caught up to Artefacto, and moved into second place after half-mile which the frontrunner completed in 44.50 seconds.
At this point, the Ron Faucheux trained Gantry overhauled Indiano, who was fighting for second place. Gantry picked up the pace, and took the lead, as he completed the race in an impressive time of 1 minute and 10.52 seconds.
The son of Pulpit, foaled by mare Rhum, finished first and walked out $240,560 richer. He defeated, Indiano by a significant margin of five large lengths, while Artefacto was nosed out by Close It Out to secure third spott.
Gantry’s rider, Richard Eramia, told the press that:
"I wanted to keep my horse very close," Eramia also stated: "I didn't want him to have a lot of work to do late. He finishes really well, and when I asked he just took off.”
The winning trainer was also immensely pleased with his runner’s performance, and he appreciated the effort the five-year-old put into the race.
"We bought him originally to run in the Thanksgiving Handicap last year, but it looks like we're going to get to run him in the Breeders' Cup (Sprint)."
Owned by the Brittlyn Stable, Gantry excelled because he was familiar with the distance of six furlongs, since he has won his six starts over the same distance.
Previously, he won over at 6 furlongs on 21st April, 2012, in the F. W. Gaudin Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds racecourse.
The winner justified his status as a favourite and his 9-5 odds, and will now try his luck in the bigger events to come.
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