Largent upsets the Fort Lauderdale for 1st graded win

Many thought Todd Pletcher had a strong chance of winning Saturday's $200,000 Fort Lauderdale (G2) with Grade 1 winner Halladay, but it was the longer priced Pletcher runner, Largent, who pulled off the upset for Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Twin Creeks Racing Stables.

Saturday's Pegaus Turf prep at Gulfstream Park appeared to have plenty of early speed on paper and it materialized with second-choice Halladay blitzing though an opening half mile in 46.34.

Favored Factor This pressed the issue and was the first to retreat turning for home. 

Paco Lopez and Largent enjoyed a ground saving trip toward the back of the pack before swinging wide to follow the move by Breaking the Rules.

“Very salty field, indeed, and very fast fractions,” Todd Pletcher said. “[Largent] is a horse that’s generally laying up close. I just told Paco, ‘It looks like there’s a lot of pace, just try to sit in the pocket,’ and he delivered a very good ride.”

Largent continued his momentum with powerful strides throughout the stretch, while Breaking the Rules could not sustain his bid. Doswelll closed well to nip Breaking the Rules for second. Halladay faded to seventh.

Largent completed the 1 1/8 mile race in 1:46.16 and paid $35.80 to win. Spooky Channel completed a lucrative $17,333.70 superfecta filled with four horses of double digit odds.

“He’s always run well here and he’s a horse that has shown some talent. This was definitely his toughest task to date but he showed that he likes it here and delivered a big performance,” Pletcher said. “I think he certainly ran well enough today to earn a spot into the Pegasus, which we’d love to do.

It was the sixth win in nine starts for the ultra-consistent Largent, who has never been worse than second.

It was the first graded stakes win for the Virginia-bred 4-year-old son of Into Mischief. Trainer Todd Pletcher collected his fourth win on the program.