War Pass Shows Class at Belmont
2-Year-Old Guts Out Win; Idiot Proof Holds On; Lava Man Drops Out
Oct 11, 2007
There's a new juvenile on the block with a long standing first name, War, and his own second name, Pass. Together, they spell speed, courage, and determination. War Pass took jockey Cornelio Velasquez's guidance to heart, breaking nicely, ripping to the front easily, and finishing the deal with determination when challenged late in Oct.6th's $416,000 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park.
A half-brother to Oath, War Pass is out of the Mr. Prospector mare Vue. Cherokee Run is the youngster's sire.
In the one mile race for juveniles, War Pass took command early, stretched his lead to five lengths through a quarter mile, and drove home impressively in 1:36.12. Pyro took second place, well ahead of Z Humor.
War Pass will square off against Wicked Style in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Oct.27th at Monmouth Park, New Jersey. Unbeaten War Pass is trained by Nick Zito. His earnings total $317,400.
On Sunday, Oct.7th, Idiot Proof proved once again that he's no slouch. The Benchmark colt won his fifth race in eight career starts at Santa Anita Park. Trained by Clifford Sise, Jr. he will enter the Breeders' Cup Sprint Oct. 27th.
In Santa Anita's $300,000 Ancient Title Stakes, part of the Oak Tree meet, Idiot Proof stalked the competition from the third position under jockey David Flores. Flores said he had plenty of horse when he asked for more motor, and Idiot Proof rifled to the 3/4 length victory on Santa Anita's Cushion Track.
Idiot Proof finished in 1:07.57 ahead of Greg's Gold and Barbecue Eddie. The bay colt out of Perfectly Pretty, by Bertrando boosted his earnings to $430,136.
Old warrior Lava Man, the California favorite running in a home-friendly atmosphere, couldn't find the fire Oct. 7th in the $252,000 Oak Tree Mile Stakes at Santa Anita Park. He faded to last after offering no response to jockey Corey Nakatani's call at the top of the stretch. Lava Man is trained by Doug O'Neill. Nakatani said he would discuss Lava Man's future with O'Neill.
Qualifying for Oct.27th's Breeders' Cup Mile, Out of Control ran very much in control under jockey Michael Baze. Trained by Bobby Frankel, Out of Control responded willingly to Baze on the turn as Lava Man faded. Then came the challenge as Zann chipped off Out of Control's lead a hoof at a time.
Out of Control ran firm on the turf and never gave in. He worked the route in 1:34.16, nosing out Zann at the wire. Courtnall finished third.
Bred in Brazil, Out of Control improved his earnings to $487,371 with five wins in 11 career starts.
