Crichton steps maiden winner Global Aviator up for Holy Bull
Unraced since a determined debut victory over Thanksgiving weekend, Global Aviator is set to launch his sophomore season in Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Holy Bull at Gulfstream.
The 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull for 3-year-olds is the second step on Gulfstream’s road to the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) March 28, preceded by the one-mile Mucho Macho Man Jan. 4. Owner-trainer Rohan Crichton bypassed that race to await this spot.
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“He’s doing well,” Crichton said. “I needed a little bit more time than there was between his race and the Mucho Macho Man, but I can’t ask anything more of him. It’s time to go, and he’s ready.”
Global Aviator, who cost Crichton just $12,000 as a yearling, is by Global Campaign, the millionaire winner of the 2020 Woodward (G1) who ran third in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Global Campaign won three of his four career starts at Gulfstream, including a 1 1/16-mile allowance second time out and first around two turns in 2019.
In his lone start, Global Aviator got away slowly in the six-furlong maiden special weight and raced in last, trailing by as many as eight lengths early. Swung wide by jockey Joe Bravo, he continued to make up ground and took a short lead into the stretch, holding on for a neck triumph in 1:10.71.
“I kind of felt that he wanted to go really long,” Crichton said. “I didn’t think he was fully cranked up so I was actually – especially after the start – surprised at how fit he was to use all that energy and still keep going.”
Global Aviator shows five timed works since his race, the most recent an easy half-mile in 51.42 seconds Jan. 24. Rated at 5-1 on the morning line, Bravo gets the return call from Post 4.
“In the mornings he’s learned a whole lot. He’s learned how to be able to take the kickback,” Crichton said. “We’ve done a few things with him, and he’s done well.
“It’s going to be a good race. It’s not a big field, but it’s big in quality,” Crichton said. “It’s only our second race and the first time going two turns, so we have a lot to learn. Hopefully it works out.”