Determinato Pulls Spectacular Bid Upset

The calendar has turned and the juveniles are now 3, but the Calder shippers are still holding their form.

Making his first start away from his home base of Calder Casino & Race Course, Determinato surprised a good field in Gulfstream Park’s first male 3-year-old stakes of the meet, as he stalked favored Gangsterontherun for a half-mile, took over turning for home, and held off a late charge from Leave of Absence to win the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths Jan. 8 at odds of 14-1.

Determinato broke his maiden in his debut in May at Calder but came into the six-furlong Spectacular Bid riding a four-race losing streak. However, just as Calder shippers Awesome Feather and Gourmet Dinner did when winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) and Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III), respectively, at the end of last season, the son of Closing Argument   handled stakes company when shipped away from his home track.

Eibar Coa guided Determinato to victory for trainer Larry Pilotti. The final time on the fast dirt track was 1:11.13. The dark bay/brown colt is owned by Ron Marano.