Sole Volante goes from last-to-first to take Gulfstream feature

In a potential prep for the June 20 Belmont Stakes (G1), Sole Volante rallied from dead last to win the one-mile feature at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday.

With Luca Panici in the irons, Sole Volante was content to race in the back of the six-horse field as stablemate Ete Indien and fellow stakes-winner Shivaree dueled through sharp fractions of :23.01, :45.10 and 1:09.20 for six furlongs. Sole Volante started to gather momentum on the turn and then swept passed the pacesetters in the final furlong to win by three-quarter lengths. Jesus’ Team checked in second with Shivaree and Ete Indien filling out the trifecta.

"It was perfect," Panici said of his ride aboard Sole Volante. "He’s a horse that’s like a human. His brain is fabulous. The first part when he had to accelerate when he saw the horse in front, he was aggressive to pass the other horse.

“What more can I say? I’ve known him from the beginning, and he’s just a wonderful horse to ride," added Panici, who had ridden Sole Volante three previous times. "I have to thank all the connections to give me this huge opportunity. He’s just a really great horse.”

Trained by Patrick Biancone, Sole Volante completed the trip on a fast track in 1:34.80. He paid $6.40 as the 2-1 second-choice behind his favored stablemate.

By Karakonite, Sole Volante won his first two starts on turf--including the Pulpit Stakes at Gulfstream-- before being switched to the main track. Following a third-place finish in the Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream, Sole Volante came back to win the Sam F. Davis (G3) and finish second behind King Guillermo in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). 

“He’s a nice horse. He’s improving. He’s a lighter horse. I think he needed the race less than Ete Indien," Biancone said. "With Ete Indien, I think I may make a mistake to put the blinkers [on], because the other horse shaded him the whole way. It was a training race. I just want them to come out good. I cross my fingers.”

Biancone added the Belmont was an option for Sole Volante or he would wait for the July 11 Blue Grass (G2) at Keeneland if the colt needs more time. 

“I don’t think I’m going to change my mind. In five weeks, we’ll go to the Haskell with Ete Indien," Biancone said. "Concerning Sole Volante, my owner is very keen on running in the Belmont. We’ll have to wait for the horse to decide. We’ll see how he is the next few days. If he really comes up, we may go. If not, we’ll wait for the Blue Grass. One or the other.”

Sole Volante is owned by Reeves Thoroughbreds and Biancone’s daughter, Andie Biancone. He was a $20,000 auction purchase at last year’s OBS April 2-year-olds in training sale.