Hallandale Beach, FL
Irish War Cry elevated his Kentucky Derby profile after he stole the show at Gulfstream Park in the Holy Bull Stakes on Saturday.
The three-year-old colt was guided to the front by jockey Joel Rosaro and never looked back, leaving the field of eight runners behind en route to a clear 3 3/4 length victory,
Trainer H. Graham Motion had his colt ready to fire in his big stakes debut, after two solid victories at Laurel Park, while the morning-line favorite Classic Empire didn't fire and finished third.
Classic Empire, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner, was sent off as the heavy race favorite, but didn't have a response when jockey Julien Leparoux asked him for run around the far turn. The BC champ started the race in a 5-wide spot early. but was able to get into a nice stalking slot for Leparoux before weakening. After the race trainer Mark Casse said he had no excuse in the loss.
Irish War Cry returned $10.80 for the win and finished the 1 1/16 mile race in a nice time of 1:42.
Gunnevera completed the Holy Bull exacta and was a well clear second place finisher. The three-year-old showed an impressive rally, even after taking up before the stretch run, and is one to keep tabs on moving forward.
Motion said the Fountain of Youth Stakes or the Florida Derby in April are both possibilities moving forward for Irish War Cry.