HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – WinStar Farm and China Horse Club’s Fearless took command while cornering and proved too fast to catch in the stretch run of Saturday’s $200,000 WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2).
Fearless was the 5/2 second choice as he broke from post 5 under Irad Ortiz Jr. and settled three-wide on the outside of the rest of the pack while Wind of Change struck out to a lengthy early lead, where he posted fractions of :23.60 and :46.57 down the backstretch.
The rest of the field caught the loose pacesetter heading into the far turn and Fearless took first run, taking over midway through and straightening for home with a growing advantage.
The Todd Pletcher trainee was too strong for rallying Avant Garde to reel in late; Fearless crossed 3/4 of a length clear while completing the fast one-turn dirt mile event in 1:35.61.
The 4/5 favorite Performer misfired and could only muster third. Eye of a Jedi, Phat Man, and Wind of Change completed the order of finish.
Tax (the 5/2 second choice on the morning line) and Summer Kid scratched.
Fearless’ win came in his first start sinice finishing sixth in last June’s Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) and improved his overall record to 7-4-1-0, including a perfect 3-for-3 over the local dirt. The 5-year-old Ghostzapper gelding has now earned $246,280.
Fearless returned $7.60 to win, $4.20 to place, and $2.60 to show. Avant Garde brought back $4.80 to place and $2.40 to show. Performer paid $2.10 to show.
