Saratoga Springs, N. Y.
The Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Stakes turned out to be a race where the winning horse, Carl Spackler, and trainer Chad Brown were able to make significant career achievements. Carl Spackler won his first Grade 1 stakes and Brown got a Fourstardave victory that had eluded him throughout his time as a trainer.
The 4-year-old won the Fourstardave in the ninth start of his career for eFive Thoroughbreds, which is operated by Bob Edwards. Carl Spackler debuted at Gulfstream Park on Jan 23, 2023, but there were setbacks and delays. Some of the issues were very serious.
“Chad liked him early, he had a nice win at Gulfstream, then had a series of injuries,” Edwards said. “Colic before Keeneland last year. He rebounded well, came up here after the Belmont (Stakes) and won here at Saratoga.”
Brown had previously sent 15 horses to the Fourstardave, but the best that he had done prior to Sunday was a pair of second-place finishes.
“It felt good,” Brown said about finally winning this race. “It’s a perfect time for everything, my family and my parents are here, who brought me to the track growing up. We bet on this horse [Fourstardave]. To win this race, it is really special to have everybody here. I haven’t won it because it is a hard race to win, so that makes it even more special. It is a very challenging race to win.”
The field of six horses from the older male turf division broke from the gate with Strong Quality going straight to the lead where he stayed until the top of the stretch. Carl Spackler settled in behind the pacesetter two-lengths behind. Major Dude and Ottoman Fleet raced together another couple of lengths behind the second position.
Carl Spackler, who was ridden by Tyler Gaffalione for the sixth time in a row, is married to Edwards’ daughter.
“This is why we do it. For us, it is a family affair,” Edwards explained. “Tyler now is part of the family…my son-in-law wins a Grade 1 at Saratoga. Our lawn jockey gets put in front of the Fourstardave, it’s special. I get to see it for another year. It’s just an unbelievable event for us.”
After Strong Quality set fractions of 24.76, 49.24 and 1:13.58, Carl Spackler moved out to the two-path in the far turn. As he was accelerating, Strong Quality was showing the effects from being out front. Thus, the Chad Brown runner was ahead by 1 1/2- engths at the stretch call and drew off to win by 3 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:36.63.
“Everything kind of went to plan,” Gaffalione said. “The one [Strong Quality] set a nice tempo and my horse relaxed beautifully. When I called on him, he really finished up. He got a hold of the turf great. All the credit goes to Chad and his team I am thrilled for him to get his first Fourstardave win and thrilled for Bob and the connections. This is a special one.”
More Than Looks, who was seven lengths behind in the early going, made a sweeping move down the stretch to finish second. Ottoman Fleet was able to hold on to third while the best that Strong Quality could do was fourth.
In the end Carl Spackler was sent off as the 2.05-1 second choice and returned $6.10, 3.10 and 2.30. More Than Looks, the 2.90-1 third-choice, completed a $2 exacta that paid $21. The favorite, Ottoman Fleet at 1.50-1, finished third.
While becoming a Grade 1 winner, Carl Spackler earned $275,000 to put his career earnings at $979,475. He also was awarded a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 2.
“I have the horse in a good rhythm now to sort of do what I want with him,” Brown added. “You go to a race like the Breeders’ Cup Mile, I’ve had some success in that race, you really got to go in there ready. I don’t know if a long layoff would be the right thing, so I will look for a race for him.”
Source link : https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Saratoga_2024_Carl_Spackler_pulls_away_late_in_Fourstardave_123
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Publish date : 2024-08-12 10:50:33
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