Imprimis Nails Extravagant Kid In Janus

ARCADIA, CA – Breeze Easy’s Imprimis got up in the last jump to nail Extravagant Kid on the wire and win Friday’s $75,000 Janus Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Imprimis, the 4/5 favorite under Irad Ortiz Jr., was heavily crowded at the start and bided his time while saving ground at the rear until he tipped out at the top of the stretch.

Extravagant Kid looked ready to take the first shot at the pacesetting The Critical Way but was so confidently handled up until the 1/8 pole that he may have stepped on the gas too late.

Trained by Joe Orseno, Imprimis rallied wide late and got his neck across first, completing the 5-furlong firm turf sprint in :54.82.

“He ran down a credible horse,” Orseno said. “When Extravagant Kid got the jump on him, I thought I was in trouble because he’s a good horse. The horse made about a million dollars. I’m very pleased to get a good trip.”

The Critical Way was a head behind Extravagant Kid and 2 1/2 lengths clear of Harry’s Ontheloose.

Sayyaaf and Blind Ambition completed the order of finish.

Frosted Grace and Edgemont Road were Main Track Only entries.

Imprimis’ win was his second in his past 3 starts including the Runhappy Turf Sprint Stakes (G3) at Kentucky Downs and was a nice rebound after finishing 13th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). The Florida-bred 7-year-old Broken Vow gelding improved his record to 17-9-0-2 with $805,983 earned.

“Last time, it was a little sad after the trip I had in the Breeders’ Cup,” Ortiz Jr. said. “I feel like it’s one of those races that you probably could have won, and those races don’t come back. It’s one time the whole year, so I was so sad for them because he worked so hard and he deserved it. I probably made a bad decision, so I feel bad, but thank God today I was able to ride him back. To be able to be in the winner’s circle is very special for me. Moving forward after this race, he’s a nice horse and he’s doing so good right now, I think he’s doing better than ever. I expect a good year for him.”

Imprimis returned $3.60 to win, $2.40 to place, and $2.10 to show. Extravagant Kid brought back $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show, while The Critical Way paid $3 to show.