Gormley a Front Running Winner in the Grade 1 FrontRunner

On paper, the 2016 FrontRunner Stakes (G1) looked to be a no brainer. One horse stood head and withers above the rest.  When the dust settled, one horse was much the best, just not the one the betting public and handicappers thought. Shows that we shouldn’t believe everything we read.  Breaking from the rail, Gormley led every step of the way to post a three-length upset over the favorite, Klimt.   

The opening stages of the race were marred when Santiago Gonzalez stepped off of Secret House just as the gate opened and watched in disbelief as his mount left without him.  Secret House briefly impeded Straight Fire, but soon veered off.

Meanwhile, Victor Espinoza  sent Gormley up the rail to lead the herd through the eventful first quarter in 23.77.  He was pressed by Midnight Pleasure, while Vibe raced as a team with Straight Fire to his outside. Plum Dandy raced with Klimt at the back of the bunched up field.

After traveling a half quarter in 47.18, Rafael Bejarano pushed the “go” button on Klimt at the 5/16 pole, and the pair started circling the field with powerful strides. Meanwhile, Gormley was winging his way along on the lead and pulling away with every stride.

As a faltering Midnight Pleasure backed up, Straight Fire inherited second place. Klimt soon collared Straight Fire, but was unable to get to Gormley, who flashed under the wire three lengths in front.  Klimt was a clear second, 4 ½ lengths in front of Straight Fire, who was another 4 ¼ lengths in front of Midnight Pleasure.  The fractions were 23.72, 47.18, 1:36.79, and 1:43.57 for the 1 1/16 miles.

After a Stewards inquiry, Secret House was declared a non-starter. Steward Grant Baker explained, “The horse moved forward and crowded the front portion of the starting gate and then Gonzalez stepped off.” 

This was the second time in a week that Gonzalez stepped off his mount. Steward Grant Baker commented that they’ll have a little talk in the office with the jockey. “This was a little bit different than what happened at Los Alamitos (last Sunday, when Gonzalez stepped off a horse in the day’s third race). We are going to have him into the office tomorrow morning to discuss this. Because he stepped off, we felt a refund was in order.”

Gormley rewarded backers with $23.60, $5.00, $3.00 across the board; Klimt returned $2.20, $2.10 to place; Straight Fire offered $2.20 for show.  Midnight Pleasure finished fourth. The $1 Exacta was $24.50; The $0.50 Trifecta delivered $30.70 and the $1 Superfecta paid $217.90.

Gormley (Malibu Moon - Race to Urga, by Bernstein) was bred in Kentucky by Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate. The bay colt was a $150,000 RNA (Reserve Not Attained) at last year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale.  He’s owned by Jerry & Ann Moss and trained by John Shirreffs.    

Just 27 days ago, Gormley was a recent maiden winner. Now he owns a shiny new trophy and an invite to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Oh, and Gormley also earned ten points towards next year’s Kentucky Derby.

Jockey Victor Espinosa remarked on his victory, “I was really surprised. Like anything you go into it with a plan, but when that gate opens, everything can change. I originally wanted to take back a little bit and let him run in the end but next thing I know, something happened to the three horse (Secret House, who broke from the gate without rider Santiago Gonzalez and declared a non-starter.) I was on the rail and didn’t want to take him back then, so I let him run. This horse can run well wherever he runs. He’s a very talented young horse and he’s going to improve for the future.”

Trainer John Shirreffs was also unprepared for his colt’s upset victory. “You know, it’s always a surprise as you well know. You train in the morning and you hope they can improve in the afternoon. You don’t ever know until the afternoon. After you’ve won your first race you settle in and you just move on."

Shirreffs continued, “He’s a young horse, he’s learning. He needs to focus a little bit and once he gets focused he’s got it handled. He looks like a million bucks, he’s a beautiful horse and he’s doing really well. I like that when he got into that big gear he has, he didn’t get too excited for a young horse and today he was all business.”

FrontRunner Stakes Replay

Start of the FrontRunner Stakes