Sunday, March 25, 2012

Went The Day Well Wins Spiral Stakes

ESPN:
In much the same fashion that Animal Kingdom glided to victory in the Vinery Spiral last year, Went the Day Well also was dominant, sparking high hopes that perhaps he, too, will be capable of following it up with a Kentucky Derby victory.
With John Velazquez aboard, Went the Day Well was fourth when he began gaining on the leaders from an inside position leaving the half-mile pole. Velazquez angled him out midway through the final turn, and then Went the Day Well did the rest, drawing away down the stretch while racing a bit greenly for his second victory in five career starts. He returned $12.40 as third choice in a field of 12 3-year-olds after finishing the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:51.33 over Polytrack.
The uncoupled Todd Pletcher duo of Holiday Promise, a 25-1 shot, and Heavy Breathing, the 2-1 favorite, finished second and third, respectively, separated by a length. Handsome Mike, the 7-2 second choice, rallied from last to finish two lengths farther back in fourth.
Unlike Animal Kingdom, who ran in the Derby off a six-week layoff following his Spiral win, Went the Day Well might have another race before the 138th Derby on May 5 at Churchill Downs.
Only 6 weeks until the Kentucky Derby.

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