IAB Stables and Walter Fralick's Quenane, the longest shot in a field full of stakes winners, showed off his fondness for the course and conditions by splashing to a one-length victory over late-running favorite Noble Drama in Saturday's $60,000 Millions Classic Preview at Gulfstream Park West in Miami Gardens, Fla.
The Classic Preview for 3-year-olds and up, shortened to one mile this year, was the first of five dirt stakes for Florida-breds on the program, serving as a prep for the $100,000 Sunshine Millions Classic Jan. 16 during Gulfstream Park's Championship Meet.
Quenane ($57.60), a 6-year-old Algorithms gelding, led every step of the way to earn his 13th lifetime victory and fourth in seven tries at Gulfstream West. For his career, Quenane has a record of 4-4-1 in 13 attempts on an off track.
Jockey Angel Arroyo and Quenane raced to the outside of Debbie's Passion on the short run to the first turn and around the bend before taking over willingly into the backstretch, with defending champion Red Crescent also racing forwardly in third. The first quarter-mile went in 24.40 seconds as Red Crescent moved up to a pressing position.
Red Crescent continued to loom a threat through a half in 47.70, a half-length behind Quenane, with Debbie's Passion third and Noble Drama beginning to rev up along the inside after trailing early. Red Crescent appeared to nudge a neck in front between calls but Quenane responded by surging again and remaining in front after six furlongs in 1:11.97.
Arroyo hugged the rail turning for home and set sail for the wire while Noble Drama, a winner of back-to-back stakes but engaged in a long drive under Emisael Jaramillo, shifted to the far outside to make a belated bid for second. Debbie's Passion held third, followed by Garter and Tie and Red Crescent.
“Noble Drama is in terrific form and Red Crescent won this race last year, and so far Quenane in keeping company with them over the summer really hadn't been effective with them and faced some challenges when running against them,” winning trainer Tamara Levy said. “Not to slight Quenane – he's a very good horse and he's exceeded our expectations of him time and time again. If he can work it out and find away, he'll get it done.”
Claimed by Levy as a 3-year-old for $6,250 out of a third-place finish July 9, 2017, in what was his 10th start, Quenane moved over the $300,000 mark in lifetime purses with Saturday's win. Levy plans to point him to the 22nd Claiming Crown Dec. 5 on opening day of the 2020-2021 Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park.
“He's never won gate to wire in his career. He knows the pace, he's an older horse. He knows where the wire is. He knows the job, so you've got to kind of let him decide. Sometimes he knows best,” Levy said. “Angel did a terrific job today.”
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