Applicator gives Trainer First Stakes Victory in Gleaming

Olympia Star, Inc.’s Applicator was sent to the lead leaving the starting gate and continued on to notch a front-running 50-1 upset in Saturday’s $75,000 Gleaming Stakes.

The 3-year-old son of Henrythenavigator ($104.80) prevailed by half-length in the 1 ½-mile turf stakes for 3-year-olds and up after outrunning seven rivals, as well as the bettors’ expectations.

The stakes triumph was the first for both Applicator, who had won once in 12 prior starts, and trainer Mikhail Yanakov.

“We just wanted to try him at a mile and a half. I knew already that he’s a grass horse,” Yanakov said. “The distance, we thought he might like it.”

Applicator was in full control under Leonel Reyes while setting an uncontested pace into the stretch. The Kentucky-bred colt drifted outside nearing the wire but survived an objection by Matthew Rispoli, the rider of third-place finisher Xaverian. Quiet Force rallied under Emisael Jaramillo to finish second, a half-length ahead of Xaverian, the 2-1 favorite.

“I know he’s fast. I told [Reyes] to go to the front but to do it carefully,” Yanakov said.

Applicator set comfortable fractions of 24.55 seconds, 49.80, 1:15.66 and 1:40.91 on his way to a clocking of 2:28.53 for 1 ½ miles over a ‘good’ turf course.

"Now only long races,” Yanakov said.

Source: Gulfstream Park