Ottoman Fleet proved far too good for five rivals in the $465,000 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) June 29 at Churchill Downs, emerging from the first turn with the lead and never facing a serious challenge thereafter.
With Flavien Prat up, the 5-year-old Sea The Stars gelding toted the blue Godolphin silks across the finish line first for the second straight race, kicking off a promising weekend for the Dubai-based international powerhouse.
There was little to the victory. With only moderate pressure down the backstretch from Johny's Fireball, Prat never had to call on Ottoman Fleet for a concerted effort. As Johny's Fireball dropped from contention, Ottoman Fleet opened a daylight lead and coasted home in front by 1 1/2 lengths, finishing the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.26 after a half-mile in :48.05.
Chasing the Crown, second to Ottoman Fleet in their last race, the Arlington Stakes (G3T), put in a late bid but could only get place money again. Strong Tide was a long shot third.
"I really wasn't expecting the pace scenario to be what it turned out to be," Prat said. "We sort of found ourselves on the lead and just went on with it. He was traveling so nicely that I just let him keep doing it on the front end. Turning for home he still had a lot left in the tank to kick clear at the wire."
Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Godolphin's American operations, said Ottoman Fleet is emblematic of trainer Charlie Appleby's long-range plans to maximize opportunities for Godolphin stock in high-value races anywhere they're run. Banahan noted geldings are excluded from many of Europe's top races, making the big purses on offer in America all the more attractive for them.
Watch: Banahan Delighted With Ottoman Fleet's Wise Dan Victory
Ottoman Fleet "did well in Europe and since he's come over here, he's really blossomed," Banahan said in the Churchill Downs winner's circle. "He's a very nice horse to have and now he wins the Wise Dan, a half-million-dollar race. It's nice money as well. I'm sure Charlie will be very happy."
Banahan said Ottoman Fleet will head to Saratoga to join the Godolphin armada assembling there and his next race likely will be at the Spa or at Colonial Downs.
"Charlie's been coming over here the past couple years and figuring out how best to operate," Banahan added. "It's worked out really well for him."
Video: Wise Dan S. (G2T)
Other stakes action on the Card
- Klein Racing homebred Brilliant Berti outkicked First World War to the wire to win the $250,000 American Derby for 3-year-olds on the turf. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the son of Noble Mission ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.92 under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.
- Closethegame Sugar followed up his win in the Aristides Stakes with a 1 1/2-length score in the $235,000 Kelly's Landing Stakes for trainer Adam Rice. The 4-year-old Girvin gelding, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. and owned by Rice and Sugar Diaz, stopped the timer in 1:14.89 for 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track.
- Mark Casse trainee Dancing N Dixie circled the field to take the $233,418 Tepin Stakes for owners Gary Barber, Rocky Top Stables, and LEMB Stables. The 3-year-old daughter of Neolithic won by a neck under jockey Jose Ortiz in a final time of 1:36.04 for a mile on the turf.
