Shadwell's Arham sparkles on debut at Gulfstream for Pletcher

Shadwell Stable’s Arham ($3.40) sparkled in his career debut at Gulfstream Park Thursday, scoring by seven lengths following a thoroughly professional performance under Luis Saez.

The homebred 3-year-old son of Union Rags broke cleanly to chase pacesetter Catch On Emotional, the 7-5 second betting choice ridden by Paco Lopez, along the backstretch. The Kentucky-bred colt pulled alongside the pacesetter on the turn before taking over leaving the turn into the homestretch and drawing clear with minimal urging.

Arham ran six-furlongs in 1:10.13.

“It was very professional. He broke well and put himself into a good spot and improved the whole way. Luis rode him kind of quietly to the wire,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “What’s exciting about it is I think he’s a horse that that will really appreciate more distance going forward – to win like that going six.”

Arham is out of the Smart Strike mare Sanaaya and his second dam is Spun Sugar, whom Pletcher saddled for Grade 1 victories in the Apple Blossom and Go For Wand in 2006.

Arham joined Pletcher’s stable at Palm Beach Downs about two months ago.

“He was at my dad’s [J.J. Pletcher’s] training center for a while and then came to us. He’s been training very professionally. We were expecting a good debut,” Pletcher said.