Silver Medallion out of nowhere wins the Fort Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park
The Grade 3, $100,000 Fort Lauderdale drew some big names for its 2012 edition, but all the pre-race hype went out of the window when the Todd Pletcher trained newly turned 4-year-old colt, Silver Medallion, came off the pace to sweep the 1 1/16 mile test from 11 other opponents on turf, a surface which he continues to show his affinity for.
On 14 January, 2012, at Gulfstream Park, Black Rock Stables owned Silver Medallion was nowhere to be spotted for six furlongs into the race, settled at 10th under an extremely patient Javier Castellano.
The pace in the race was set by the son of Silvador, Yummy With Butter, who under Paco Lopez set fractions of 24.40 seconds for the opening quarter mile, 49.24 seconds for the half mile and 1 minute and 13.64 seconds for the 6 furlong marker.
Pressing him throughout the 6 furlong distance was the 9 to 5 favourite, Mutual Trust, while the highly regarded, Flat Out, who was making his turf debut was close by Santiva.
The Kentucky bred son of Badge of Silver, out of mare Another Vegetarian by Stalwart, Silver Medallion launched his winning move at the three-eighths pole.
It wasn’t going to be easy in a full field to come from virtually last and take the lead over some big names without a fight. He got into contention running five wide, but bumped into Mutual Trust and the pace setter, Yummy With Butter.
For this collision, Yummy With Butter got disqualified at the end of the race for interference in the stretch.
Coming off a victory in the Grade 3 Tropical Turf Handicap at Calder on 2 December, 2011, Silver Medallion over came the bump and kept his focus intact, as he led inside the sixteenth pole, from where he held on for the win.
“I didn’t want to be that far back. I don’t know what happened. I guess he just missed the break,” Castellano said.
“From there, I just had to use my own judgment. He’s not really an aggressive horse coming from behind, but when I asked him I was like ‘wow’.” It was such a big pack and I couldn’t go inside so I had to try to loop the field. He gave me a lot of run and I was very proud of him.”
Flat Out's turf debut wasn't that impressive, as he finished last to complete the order of finish, and Teaks North also never got into contention as he finished a non-threatening eighth.
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