By Bloodhorse.com
OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Dec. 26, 2014) — After not winning a stakes in his first two seasons of racing, Salutos Amigos, a son of California stallion Salute the Sarge, nailed down the third of his 4-year-old campaign when he drew off in the stretch to win the $98,000 Gravesend Dec. 26 at Aqueduct Racetrack (VIDEO).
Campaigned by Southern Equine Stable and trainer David Jacobson, 6-5 choice Salutos Amigos delivered a 2 1/2-length score in the Gravesend even though jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. appeared to have lost the whip during the inner track race.
Salutos Amigos has won stakes races in three of his past four starts. He entered Friday’s race against four opponents off a clear victory in the Fall Highweight Handicap (gr. III) Nov. 27 on the Aqueduct main track. He also won the Bold Ruler Handicap (gr. III) Oct. 25 at Belmont Park before finishing seventh in the XpressBet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park.
“He was spectacular, as usual,” Jacobson said. “The race laid out just the way we thought it would, with Dads Caps and Green Gratto setting the early pace. Irad did an amazing job again; there’s not that much to say. We were hoping he would get through (on the inside), and then (Ortiz) lost his stick. It gets to be a concern, but this horse went into the race as good as he’s ever gone into a race. It was a great performance and a great ride by Irad.”
With the victory, Salutos Amigos improved his seasonal earnings to $599,000 behind a 6-1-3 record amassed in 14 starts.
Salutos Amigos completed Friday’s six-furlong race over a fast inner track in 1:09.51. He returned $4.40 and $2.60. Runner-up Mewannarose returned $3.90 to place. There was no show wagering.
Dads Caps, the 13-10 second choice, finished third, three lengths behind Salutos Amigos after leading at the quarter pole following early fractions of :22.92 and :45.85. Green Gratto and Crafty Dreamer trailed.
Salutos Amigos was bred in Kentucky by Joan Hadley out of the Luhuk mare Sarasota. He ran his career line to 7-2-4 in 25 starts with earnings of $687,406.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/89310/salutos-amigos-adds-gravesend-stakes-victory#ixzz3N3PwVKv9
For Salutos Amigos’ pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/salutos+amigos.