Economic Model out-duels Irish War Cry to win Hal’s Hope

If Irish War Cry simply needed a race off the layoff, he could loom as a force among older horses this year given Saturday's performance. But another contender ending a break from the races proved better in his return at Gulfstream Park.

With Irish Wary Cry off as an even-money favorite in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Hal’s Hope Stakes, the son of Curlin nearly won his first start in five months, caught late by Economic Model going a one-turn mile.

Tower of Texas got up for a fast-closing third in a race marred went Send It In went “wrong” through the turn, per track announcer Pete Aiello, and unseated jockey John Velazquez. Send It In was euthanized, according to Gulfstream Park. Velazquez went uninjured.

The winner, Economic Model, closed off a sharp opening half mile in 46.91 seconds to score under Irad Ortiz Jr., who guided the 5-year-old son of Flatter inside of Irish War Cry for a stretch duel. They were even until the final 1/8 of a mile, when Economic Model edged ahead to hit the wire in 1:36.50, a 1 3/4 lengths in front.

The victory was his fifth win in 14 career starts.

“He never let the other horse pass him,” Ortiz Jr. said. “He’s the kind of horse that when he makes the lead, if you hit him left he will get out and if you hit him right he will get in. I didn’t want to have any contact with the other horse, so I switched my stick and hit him right-handed. I just took a hold of him and kept him straight.”

Trained by Chad Brown for Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence, Economic Model entered having last run in October at Belmont Park, winning at the allowance level.