Host Rolls On in Canadian Turf Win
|
Photo: Coglianese Photos
In his second start for new trainer Tom Albertrani, Host takes the Canadian Turf Handicap (gr.
IIIT).
|
Updated: Saturday January 5, 6:06
PM
Posted: Friday January 4, 6:00 PM
Host finished eighth as the favorite in the Dec. 1 Tropical
Turf Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Calder for new trainer Tom Albertrani.
On Jan. 4, Eugene Melnyk's 8-year-old son of Hussonet
won the Canadian Turf Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park.
And he went off at odds of nearly 6-1 in taking the 1 1/16-mile contest over
firm going.
"The faster pace in today’s race, compared to his last, set up
perfect for him and he trained a little sharper for this one too," said Albertrani. "I’m fortunate to have picked him up
with a couple of other horses for Mr. Melnyk. He’s just turned 8 and what
do they say about wine? It gets better with age. It looks like he’s been
a little inconsistent at times in his career, but I haven’t had him long
enough to know all his idiosyncrasies.”
The wagering public made Thorn Song the 9-5 favorite, and he made the lead down
the stretch. But Host and Yate's Black Cat came on
the outside and National Captain rallied up the rail to get the first three
spots.
In the early going, Kiss the Kid made the lead and battled with Jet Propulsion,
covering the opening quarter in :23.39 and half in :45.78. Delosvientos
tried to take the lead from the outside but could not and settled in third,
with Thorn Song in fourth.
They covered six furlongs in 1:09.39 as Kent Desormeaux
and Thorn Song began to close ground as the field headed in to the turn for
home. But Kiss the Kid and Eddie Castro proved tough, battling on to keep the
lead inside the eighth pole. John Velazquez and Host,
in 10th place after six furlongs, closed with a strong rush to get up and win
by a half-length over Yate's Black Cat, who finished
a neck in front of National Captain. Kiss the Kid held on for fourth, with
Thorn Song settling for fifth.
“I had a feeling there was going to be a fast pace and they were going
pretty quick," said Velazquez, who rode Host
when he was in Todd Pletcher's barn. "I told
Tommy (Albertrani) that if they set a fast pace we
were going to win it. I know this horse pretty well and I knew that if he
showed up, he would win. Sometimes he drops too far back and it doesn’t
work for him, but there was a fast pace and I was able to keep him going. He
shows no signs of age."
The time was 1:39.85.
Host was winning his 10th race in 27 starts with earnings of $1,136,408. In
last year's running of the Canadian Turf, he finished second, beaten a head by
Giant Wrecker, after a more than 10-month layoff.
The horse, out of the Roy mare
Colonna Traiana, was bred in Chile
by Eduardo Matte's Haras de Pirque.
The winner paid $13.80, $7,40, and $5 while Yate's Black Cat returned $12.80 and $7.40. South
African-bred National Captain paid $5.20 to show.
French Vintage, Big Prairie, Baron Von Tap, Jet Propulsion, Imawildandcrazyguy. Delosvientos
and Dreadnaught completed the order.
(Chart, Equibase)