Decorated Invader justifies the hype in Gulfstream's Cutler Bay

When it came time for Decorated Invader to do his best running last November in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, the Declaration of War colt had little room to move.

That wasn’t the case on return Saturday, with the Christophe Clement trainee circling the field en route to a victory in the $100,000 Cutler Bay Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Under jockey Joel Rosario, Decorated Invader went from next-to-last to first to top a field of 12 3-year-olds on turf, kickstarting a promising campaign.

“He’s a big horse," Rosario said. "Christophe told me to give him a clean trip. So when I started moving a little bit I preferred to be in the clear on the outside. He came with a nice run. He was the best horse in the race.” 

The former $200,000 yearling purchase is campaigned by West Point Thoroughbreds, William Freeman, William Sandbrook and Cheryl Manning. Decorated Invader entered 2-for-4, boasting a victory in Woodbine’s Summer Stakes (G1) last September.

Some fast opening fractions aided his closing kick as Get Smokin battled inside of Inter Miami through a quarter mile in 22.53 before the half eased to 45.59. The margin to the top two steadily decreased, and it wasn’t until the stretch that Decorated Invader came on the screen, winding up with a big outside move to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths.

Away as the 9-5 favorite, he returned $5.60 to win. South Bend finished second and Get Smokin held on for third in a race where Vitalogy, the second betting choice exiting a local stakes victory, missed the board.

Decorated Invader has been mentioned in connection with the New York Racing Association's "Turf Triple" series of lucrative races on the lawn scheduled to begin in July with the Belmont Derby Invitational (G1).

"We believe he's one of the best 3-year-olds in the country on the grass," Miguel Clement, assistant to his father, said this week. "We're hoping he'll be able to demonstrate that this year."