After praising the ability of his 2-year-old Patriot Spirit before the 38th edition of the $100,000 Inaugural Stakes Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, trainer Michael Campbell knew he had placed a target on his colt's back.
But the old saying “It ain't bragging if you can do it” clearly applied after the Kentucky-bred son of Constitution and jockey Samy Camacho powered to a 1¾-length victory from an onrushing Crazy Mason in a more-than-adequate time of 1:10.26 for the six furlongs on a fast track.
“This horse is so talented,” said Campbell, who trains Patriot Spirit for owner George Mellon's Mellon Patch Inc. “I asked Samy to describe him in one word after the race, and he said, 'Amazing.' I always thought from the moment I bought him (for Mellon for $235,000 at the OBS March Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale) he'll take me to Kentucky and I think he will, but time will tell.”
Like his seven Inaugural rivals, Patriot Spirit turns 3 on Jan. 1, so it seemed premature to press Campbell on where (and when) in Kentucky he'd like to go. But his runner out of Grade I winner Mistical Plan, by Game Plan, racing Saturday without blinkers, seems to have every right to improve, perhaps starting with the $125,000 Pasco Stakes going seven furlongs on Jan. 1 at the Oldsmar, Fla. track.
Pacesetter Rathmore, held on gamely to finish third, 2 1/2 lengths behind Crazy Mason
“I smooched at my horse at the quarter-mile pole and just tried to be pretty cool in the saddle,” said Camacho, who let Patriot Spirit do the rest. “I want to thank Michael Campbell for this opportunity, because this looks like a horse that can win graded races.”
Patriot Spirit, who was bred by Blue Heaven Farm, returned $3.20 as the 3-5 favorite.
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