Ticonderoga Surges Late to Win G3 Palm Beach

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL –Woodford Racing, LLC’s Ticonderoga powered to a convincing triumph in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Palm Beach at Gulfstream Park, surging from far off the pace to score by a length in the 1 1/16-mile turf stakes for 3-year-olds.

The Chad Brown-trained colt, who had closed from 14^th to fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita in his most recent start on November 4, secured his first stakes victory by running the distance in 1:40.38 under jockey Joel Rosario.

The son of Tapit saved ground while racing well off the early pace before Rosario found room outside leaving the turn into the homestretch, where the Kentucky-bred colt kicked in with an impressive run that carried him to victory.  Kitten’s Cat, the Kitten’s Joy Stakes winner who was ridden by Luis Saez, finished second after pressing the early pace, a length ahead of Snap Decision and Jose Ortiz.  Sailing Home, Giant Payday, Adonis Creed, Cowboy Culture, Channel Maker, and Pagliacci rounded out the order.

Ticonderoga returned $7, $4, and $2.80.  Kitten’s Cat brought back $5.40 and $3.20, while Snap Decision paid $2.80 to show.

Grade 3, $100,000 Palm Beach Quotes

Trainer Chad Brown (Ticonderoga): “I’m so proud of him.  He’s kind of a quirky horse.  He was tough to figure out.  We’ve made some changes with equipment.  I’m just proud of the horse.  He’s really matured mentally.  It’s the first time Joel has been on him.  I gave him a little history about him and he executed it perfectly.

“I’d like to try to stretch him out eventually.  We might take him to Keeneland for the Transylvania, but ultimately, the Belmont Derby, if he can go a mile and a quarter, that’s what we want to do.”

Jockey Joel Rosario (Ticonderoga): “He broke fine and he kind of settled himself.  I think that’s the way he likes to run.  I just gave him a chance, and coming to the five-sixteenths [pole], I can see Luis [Saez, aboard Kitten’s Cat] coming out a little bit, so I kind of stayed inside and saved a little ground, and it opened up.  He was just much the best horse today.  He’s a very talented horse.”

Source: Gulfstream Park