In today's other stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Fla., the 36th edition of the $100,000-guaranteed Inaugural for males, Florida-bred 2-year colt Cattin moved smartly to the lead on the turn for home under jockey Samy Camacho and continued like he'd appreciate more distance, winning by 2 ½ lengths from another Florida-bred, Lightening Larry.
Cattin's time for the six furlongs was 1:10.90. The victory lifted the spirits of Gulfstream Park-based trainer Ralph Nicks, whose father, long-time trainer Morris Nicks, died on Nov. 25 at 74 after a prolonged fight against cancer.
In the Inaugural, Camacho had close to a dream trip after breaking from the No. 4 post on Cattin, who improved to 2-for-4. “I think I got the perfect trip, because two horses (Magical Mousse, the fourth-place finisher, and Full Disclosure) were fighting on the lead and I was able to sit fourth or fifth early,” said Camacho, who also won the third race on the Florida-bred gelding Morgan Point for breeder-owner Robert C. Roffey, Jr., and trainer Chad Stewart.
“I got a chance to go inside (Lightening Larry) and when I put my horse in the clear, I thought the race was over. I feel great because Ralph Nicks gave me this great opportunity, and I want to keep it going.”
Camacho also won last year's Inaugural with Poppy's Pride. Grand Valley finished a non-threatening third.
Cattin, who is owned by Corinne Heiligbrodt, William Heiligbrodt, and Spendthrift Farm, was bred by Curtis Mikkelsen and Patricia Horth. The son of Neolithic-Adios Dawn, by Adios Charlie, fulfilled all the eligibility requirements, thus collected $80,000 from the purse.
He paid $11.40 to win.
Ralph Nicks's assistant, Sonny Righter, said hopes were high entering the Inaugural after Cattin finished a solid third in his most recent start, the mile-and-a-sixteenth Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association Florida Sire In Reality Stakes on Sept. 25 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
“I thought he would run good today,” Righter said. “I was worried he might get shuffled back early, but Samy got him back in the race pretty quick and he caught a good trip after that. He was feeling good going into the race and he ran huge.”
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