Howe Great defeats Dullahan in the Palm Beach Stakes
Team Valor International owned and Graham Motion trained, Howe Great, can relate to his connections’ Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom, who too was considered as a turf horse at this time last year. Being a turf horse takes Triple Crown out of
contention, but Howe Great, who broke his maiden on dirt at Philadelphia’s Parx Racing last fall, could revert back to familiar territory once the major race gets closer.
However, for the time being, the Kentucky bred son of Hat Trick is relishing his time provided on turf as he downed yet another race on turf, this time in the Grade 3, $150,000 Palm Beach Stakes, where he was sent as the favourite over at Gulfstream Park’s
turf course going over a distance of 1 1/18 miles on 11 March, 2012.
He held off, Dullahan, in the deep stretch by a mere length to win the Palm Beach Stakes, and covered the 1 1/8 mile distance in 1 minute and 46.56 seconds after being sent as the 3 to 5 favourite, as Csaba finished third on the day.
Coupled with jockey John Velazquez, Howe Great maintained a sensible pace while he stalked the 37 to 1 shot, Scorcher. Swinging off the final turn, Howe Great took the lead from the pace setter, and opened up a two length advantage in the stretch.
Dale Romans trained, Dullahan, who also has Kentucky Derby aspirations, as he made his bid and closed ground in the final furlong, but remained as a runner-up as he fell short of the leader.
“He hasn’t done too much wrong in his life," Motion said of the winner. "He’s a very classy, straightforward horse. The more he races, the more relaxed he has become. He’s been in front in some of his races, but as you saw today he’s very tractable and relaxed,
and doesn’t need the lead."
Out of mare Ginger Sea by Western Winter, is considered to run in the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes over Keeneland’s poly track on 14 April, 2012, according to trainer Graham Motion, where he could face Dullahan yet again.
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