Thunder Moccasin impresses trainer Todd Pletcher with victory in Grade 2, $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes on 11th February, his 2nd career
start
The colt that was bought for $95,000 from the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky 2010 yearling sale, won the Grade 2, $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes on 11th February at Gulfstream Park.
It was an overwhelming victory for the trainer Todd Pletcher as his three-year-old trainee, Thunder Moccasin, won by a staggering 6 ¾ lengths.
The trainer earlier in the day had earned his landmark of 3,000 victories, the credit for six of them remains with the Gulfstream Park’s Hutcheson with a seventh one that Thunder Moccasin brought him.
The most fearsome rival of, Thunder Moccasin, in the race was Ever So Lucky, who was withdrawn from the race at the start of the race.
The three-year-old owned by Starlight Racing took complete advantage of the absence of the favourite from the race, while staying in close pursuit of the one who dictated the pace of the seven furlongs’ race, Il Villano.
Enjoying his second ride of the career with John Velazquez, the colt of A. P. Warrior, out of One Stormy Mama, waited till the quarter pole, and then burst through the distance entering the stretch.
Towards the eighth pole, Thunder Moccasin was already leading by four lengths, and went through the final furlong of the track gamely.
“He’s a very talented colt," Pletcher said. "His first race was so impressive with the move he made we thought we’d take a shot and go right into the Hutcheson.
“I’ve been lucky in this race,” said Pletcher. “You don’t often make this move going from a maiden win to a graded stakes but he’s a very talented horse and his first race was so impressive it was worth taking the shot. I talked it over with John in
the paddock and I was hoping he’d be able to put him outside the 5 horse [Il Villano]. Being less experienced, I didn’t want him to be under pressure the whole way.”
On 24th December 2011, when, Thunder Moccasin was racing his career debut, he was the first one to race through the six and a half furlong track at Gulfstream Park, covering the distance in a minute and 15.81 seconds to break
his maiden.
Being so confident and courageous in the second start that too in a graded race, is not what all rides can manage. Thunder Moccasin is being headed for the Grade 2, Swale Stakes on 10th March at Gulfstream Park.
It has become quite apparent to the trainer that it is the one turn races over short distances that will be the niche for Thunder Moccasin for now at least.
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