The final time Communicate Simple approached a beginning gate for a race, it turned out to be a nightmare.
Siena Farm and WinStar Farm’s spectacular maiden winner was about to run within the March 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park when he jumped the rail and suffered a 12-inch laceration of his abdomen.
“He virtually gelded himself,” mentioned Elliott Walden, CEO, president, and racing supervisor of WinStar Farm, which bred the son of Structure .
Practically 5 months later, Communicate Simple returned to the racetrack for coach Todd Pletcher and as soon as once more confronted some hassle. But after what he survived within the Fountain of Youth, making an attempt to shut from fifth in a six-furlong dash was a cinch for the proficient 3-year-old colt.
Rallying strongly within the stretch, Communicate Simple confirmed no unwell results from his Fountain of Youth mishap as he remained undefeated by surging to a 2 1/4-length victory in a $110,000 allowance race in opposition to older horses July 27 at Saratoga Race Course.
“I am happy with the trouble. He confronted some adversity and I am glad he overcame it,” Walden mentioned. “We did not count on him to be on the lead at six furlongs, he is extra of a miler kind, however I like the very fact he took grime, realized loads, and got here to the wire in hand.”
In his Jan. 27 debut at Gulfstream Park, Communicate Simple pressed a :44.61 tempo after which edged away to attain by 1 3/4 lengths whereas masking seven furlongs in 1:21.96 and incomes a triple-digit Beyer Velocity Determine.
In Saturday’s race, Communicate Simple ($3.50) was fifth within the area of 9 after a half-mile in :46.43 slightly greater than 4 lengths off the lead, then swung widest beneath Irad Ortiz Jr. into the stretch and rapidly entered rivalry. The three-4 favourite moved to inside a half-length of front-running Mariachi after which rapidly moved previous to attain simply in 1:11.17 for the six furlongs.
Walden mentioned a stakes could be subsequent for Communicate Simple and the seven-furlong H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) awaits Aug. 24 on the Spa. Although with WinStar and Siena proudly owning two different Jerkens candidates in World Document and Timberlake , choosing a subsequent spot is hardly a no brainer for the son of the Harlan’s Vacation mare Enjoyable .
“He is 2-for-2 and we’re relieved that he gained in the present day. We’ll see how the quantity comes again. He deserves to run someplace in an enormous race,” Walden mentioned.
