Gulfstream: 3-year-olds post strong wins for McGaughey, Pletcher

Hall of Fame trainers Shug McGaughey and Todd Pletcher visited the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle Saturday after highly impressive graduation performances by 3-year-olds Conquest Warrior and Turn Up the Trees, respectively.

Courtlandt Farms’ Conquest Warrior ($9) overcame a troubled start and trailed the 10-horse field on the backstretch before making a stunning wide stretch drive to prevail by a half-length over Pletcher-trained Antiquarian in race 9, a mile maiden special weight event.

The McGaughey-trained son of City of Light, who had a slow start in his debut before finishing third Dec. 2 at Aqueduct, also was briefly held up in traffic on the turn into the homestretch before unleashing the powerful stretch rally. The $1 million Keeneland September sale purchase ran a mile in 1:38.57 over a fast main track with Jose Ortiz aboard.

"I was surprised he broke the way he did. I knew he’d be back and then finish," McGaughey said. "I was surprised by the effort he put in today with the trip he had for a young horse."

McGaughey said he would look for an allowance race "and take it from there."

Pletcher unveiled St. Elias Stable’s Turn Up the Trees, a half-length debut winner over 50-1 long-shot pacesetter Celtic Pride in race 6, a maiden special weight for sophomores. The winning time was 1:12.20 for six furlongs over a fast main track.

“I think he’s still got a lot to learn. He didn’t break great. We wanted to get some early position so (jockey John Velazquez) had to use him a little bit, and it looked like he was kind of kept to task throughout. I think he’s going to benefit a lot from having the race.”

Turn Up the Trees fetched $500,000 as a yearling at Keeneland in September 2022. His sire is millionaire Liam’s Map, who won six of eight races, including the Grade 1 Woodward in 2015 and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile for Pletcher.

“He had been training well. I thought his last gate work was very promising, so he came in with high hopes,” Pletcher said. “Anytime you can win first time out, you don’t take that for granted.”

Pletcher also ran third in race 6 with another first-timer, Maximus Speed, a gelded son of Runhappy.

“He made a late move and closed well to get up for third,” Pletcher said. “I thought that was encouraging.”

Pletcher's Antiquarian, who was caught late by Conquest Warrior, was making his debut in race 9. The son of Preservationist was purchased for $250,000 at the Keeneland September sale.