The Pelican Stakes- $100.000 Purse
TAM- For Four Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
February 15, 2020

In his second start for Alydar Stables, Big Tuna seemed like he would have a good shot in the Pelican Stakes, as he has been good in this type of race before. The gelding has actually been very good in races that were not of the graded variety, and likewise we made him the second pick here behind another with a pretty similar history. Big Tuna ran this one a lot like he ran the Gravesend Handicap, a race won in December, and that would be good for the win again! The winning trainer here is Alydar Stables, who wins the race for the first time. That is also true for the jockey, J C Ferrer. Congratulations to them! The time of the victory was 1:09.33, similar to last year’s winning time. Let’s take a look!

(1/4 Mile- :22.75)- Long Time Ago, trained by Maletto, would start a lot better then he would finish by jumping out to the early lead then opening a cushion of a length and a half over two stalkers. One of the is the veteran Made To Sin, from John Henry, who was hoping today might finally be the day he wins again, as well as Agsar’s Capo Moon. Stalking the stalkers, it was Swansbrook, from Fractious, who was our pick to win, as well as Duke Of Wellington, from Alabarda Stable. The trailers were our eventual winner, Big Tuna, out of Alydar Stables, and Tiratzo’s Project Zero. They were a little less then five lengths out of it, so did not have a lot of ground that they would have to make up.

(½ Mile- :45.80, Top Of Stretch, 1.7F To Go)- As the field moved down the backstretch, there was not much change in the front. Long Time Ago still led the way with Made To Sin and Capo Moon running right behind him. It did get much more interesting behind them as they moved around the turn as Big Tuna advanced while on the inside and Project Zero while on the outside, putting them even with Swansbrook and Duke Of Wellington midway through the turn. Moving closer to the stretch, Big Tuna came down on these three, who were willing to oblige for that move, so that he could attempt the four wide move for the lead. As this went on, they closed in on the top three. Long Time Ago was starting to get leg weary now, and Made To Sin would capitalize and take over the lead for now. He had Capo Moon half a length behind him. At this point of the race, only two and a half lengths separated first from last.

(Finish- 1:09.33)- It’s Made To Sin in the lead as we come down the stretch. Maybe it will finally happen again! Capo Moon is unable to get by, but the biggest threat has become Big Tuna who has been nibbling on that lead with every stride. Made To Sin tries to show some heart, and battles, but this race is going to belong to Big Tuna, who also fights hard to win by about half a length. Made To Sin is second with Swansbrook coming up late to nab third over Capo Moon. Duke Of Wellington and Project Zero were next and not badly beaten, while Long Time Ago finishes at the back.

About The Winner- Big Tuna, trained by Alydar Stables, and ridden to victory by J C Ferrer, is a five year old gelding by the late Kingslayer, and out of the late Wigglin. He was bred in Kentucky by Team 7 Illusions as a first quarter two year old, and acquired by Alydar Stables via Maxmillion Farm in a January 2020 private sale for $50.000. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his sixth in 22 starts, and his third stake win. His career earnings are now $236.750.

Track: Fast
Time: :22³  :45⁴  :57²  1:09¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 7 – 3 Paid 27.70
$1 Trifecta: 7 – 3 – 5 Paid 128.80

Scratched: Orange Star(L)

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded