—Feb 3— Courtlandt Farms’ Strike Power broke sharply, staying within striking distance of Promises Fulfilled, then ran that rival down entering the stretch enroute to a comfortable one-and-a-half length score in the $200,000 Grade III Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. His rider, Luis Saez, was impressed; his trainer Mark Hennig was as well.
“When he came to the stretch he was just waiting to take off,” Saez said. “The plan was to get to the lead … but I had the advantage on the outside, so I just broke and was right there. In the stretch he was waiting for the competition.”
The Swale is run at a distance of just 7 furlongs. After the race, Hennig said he is open to running his charge at longer distances. “There’s plenty of options out there,” he said. “Two turns would be an option. We’ll have to see that through, probably. He’s horse who seems to relax when he’s there and he’s quick enough to put himself in the front.”
A longshot in the Swale, Strike Power paid $31.20 to win. Promises Fulfilled finished second, followed by Magnum Moon (the 3/5 race favorite), Diamond King, Tricks to Doo and King Zachary.
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