VASY - Colonel Liam Stakes - Photo: Gonzalo Anteliz Jr.
JDT Racing LLC’s Vasy kicked off the stakes portion of Gulfstream Park’s 14-race program Saturday with a late-rallying victory in the $200,000 Colonel Liam, a mile turf event for 3-year-olds carded as Race 3.
The Brendan Walsh-trained Irish import by Space Blues, who graduated in his fourth career start in a 7 furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream in his previous start, was the beneficiary of a ground-saving trip under Flavien Prat.
Vasy ($19.40) rated behind pacesetter I C Light, who set fractions of 22.86 and 46.81 seconds for the first half-mile while pressed by Honey Dutch. I C Light showed the way into the stretch before being overtaken by Honey Dutch, who appeared to be on his way to victory under Irad Ortiz Jr. in mid-stretch. Taken off the rail, Vasy made a late nearing the wire to get up in time to prevail over Honey Dutch by a neck.
“He likes this track. He handles this track very well. We knew we weren’t without a chance today, even though it was a very strong field,” Walsh said. “He’s improving as he goes along. He’s a quick horse, and he acts well on this track.”
Vasy ran a mile over a firm turf course in 1:33.22.
“We had a good draw, and we wanted to take advantage of it,” Prat said of Vasy’s ground-saving journey. “He gave me a good run when I was able to clear.”
Vasy is likely to return to action at Gulfstream in the Cutler Bay on the undercard of the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) March 28, Walsh said.
Honey Dutch finished second, two lengths ahead of late-running Zeppelin.
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