Barbaro and Edgar Prado winning the Holy Bull.
The undefeated Barbaro showed himself to be one of the most exciting prospects for this year's Tripe Crown series Saturday when he handled a sloppy strip to win the $150,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) in his first main track attempt at Gulfstream Park.
Barbaro's three previous wins for trainer Michael Matz and owner Lael Stables came on the turf, including a 3 3/4-length triumph in the Tropical Park Derby (gr. IIIT) on the Calder grass Jan. 1.
Edgar Prado had Barbaro nearly three lengths in the clear in mid-stretch and the son of Dynaformer kept driving to defeat the deep-closing Great Point, who drew into the field of 12 for trainer Nick Zito and ran superbly to take the place spot over My Golden Song. The final time was 1:49 1/5 for the 1 1/8-mile event. The Holy Bull was previously contested at 1 1/16 miles.
Barbaro, who won the Laurel Futurity on the lawn in November, pushed his earnings to nearly $250,000.
The favorite broke alertly and tracked Doctor Dechard through quick fractions of :23, :46 1/5 and 1:10 1/5. Barbaro stuck his head in front at the top of the stretch but had to battle to put away Doctor Dechard and Flashy Bull as Great Point and My Golden Song ranged into contention.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Jackson bred the dark bay, who is out of the Carson City mare La Ville Rouge, in Kentucky.
Barbaro paid $5.20, $4.20 and $3.80. Great Point, ridden by Jeremy Rose, returned $14.40 and $9.40. My Golden Song, John Velazquez aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher, was $6.40 to show.
Flashy Bull finished fourth.
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