Overcontrol Impressive in Gulfstream Debut

Repole Stable's Overcontrol, purchased for $725,000 earlier this year, cruised to an impressive 4 1/4 length victory Saturday while making his racing debut. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Overcontrol was in hand under jockey John Velazquez while covering 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:18.20.

The victory was never in doubt as Overcontrol chased the early pacesetter past a :22.92 opening quarter before pulling Velazquez to the lead around the turn and into the stretch.

Overcontrol is by Tapit out of Ready for Fortune, who was second at Aqueduct in the winter of 2008 in the Cicada (G3) and Comely (G2).

“Todd has been a big fan of his," owner Mike Repole said. "We were pretty optimistic, but you don’t know until the gate opens. It was a very, very impressive race. He did everything professional – sat, waited, made his move. He got a little green when he took the lead, but he galloped out very, very nice.

"He kind of checked all the boxes – breeding, conformation ability. We thought he was a horse that could go long. He was a May foal, so he probably had some growing up to do. We sent him to Jim Crupi’s for a couple months because we were in no hurry. We brought him back. The goal was to get him back for Gulfstream and break his maiden in December. I wish it was that easy always.”

Velazquez said he expected Overcontrol to run big.

"It was very nice," Velazquez said. "I saw him work. I actually worked out of the gate against him. Javier (Castellano) was on him and he did it real easy. I was expecting him to run like this here today. He didn't break as good as he did in the morning, but he still got into a nice position on the outside. He got into the bridle rather quickly, a little faster than I wanted to. I kind of waited with him until the quarter pole and let him go, and once he got to the lead he started waiting. As soon as he got to the lead he started looking around, but it was a great effort."

Rainbow 6 Guaranteed Pool: $150,000 Sunday

With multiple winners in Saturday's 20-cent Rainbow 6 worth $4,467.40, Sunday's guaranteed pool in the unique wager will be $150,000. The Late Pick 4 will have a guaranteed pool of $100,000 while the Pick 5 will have a guaranteed pool of $50,000.

The Super Hi 5 will have a carryover of $5,691.

Who's Hot: Jockey John Velazquez had three winners. Along with Overcontrol ($3) in the fourth, Velazquez won the fifth aboard Shatak ($14.40) and the La Prevoyante (G3) with Irish Mission ($6.40). Trainer Todd Pletcher had two winners - Overcontrol and Divine Oath ($10.80) in the McKnight (G3).

Late Pick 4 Guaranteed Pool: $100,000

Pick 5 Guaranteed Pool: $50,000