Pretty Ferro Looks Pretty Sharp in The Gotham

By Nynl Stables on March 11, 2018

The Gotham (Grade 3) (KYD)- $300.000 Purse
AQU- For Three Year Olds
One Mile on the Dirt
March 10, 2018

Pretty Ferro had been patiently brought along by his trainer, and has always been able to step up and earn victories. Once he was gelded after a couple starts, he scored wins in four of five, including a win in the seven furlong Swale Stakes. It was a result that impressed many in the game, and while I also viewed him as a contender, I have to admit I was surprised when an Mb Stables poll was released ranking him so highly as a KYD threat despite not proving himself at a mile or greater yet. This win will erase the doubts that some may have had, even though he was a strong post-time favorite for the race. Fellow SRF writer Estero Farms is the proud winning of trainer of this gelding, and he wins the race for the first time, as does jockey J K Court. Congratulations to them! The time of the victory was 1:34.96. Since the distance was shortened, and on the main dirt course, we can only compare this race time to the 2005 edition, and it was quicker. Here’s a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :23.34)- With no one really making an aggressive move to claim the lead, it ends up being Jerry Bien, from Gdp Inc, emerging with the early advantage. He has company with him in the form of Erupt, from D J C Racing Stables. The eventual winner, Pretty Ferro is right there as well, within about half a length and being able to stay close to the rail. Within a length are another group of three, consisting of Rod Steiger (Asgar), Wicked Orange (Allinthegate), and Fast Kruz (On The Map Racing). Stalking them would be Bolden (Our Athletes), he was a length ahead of La Grande Terre (Smokey Stover), Rootin Tootin (TwinTowers Racing), and Dream Controlled (Mb Stables). Delta Storm (D J C Racing Stables) and Mist Maker (Crocker Ggs) bring up the rear as the race is a little slow to develop with excitement.

(½ Mile- :46.40)- It didn’t take long within the backstretch run for Erupt to take over the lead. I’m not sure if Jerry Bien was restrained a bit here, or if both Erupt and the moving forward Fast Kruz on the outside were in a stronger driver. Pretty Ferro joins Jerry Bien, creating an interesting setup between the two seven furlong stars as the race reached the midway point as both were in great position. Other then that, no one is really doing all that much at this point. Bolden moved up a little to join Rod Steiger and Wicked Orage, but otherwise there were no moves being made at the back quite yet.

(Top Of Stretch- 1.7F To Go)- As the field rounds the turn, it is still Erupt in front, but Pretty Ferro and Jerry Bien are making progress and both appear poised to have a strong stretch run. A difference here, is that Pretty Ferro seemed to begin his push just a little earlier then Jerry Bien, allowing him to be a length ahead of him at this point, and that may have been pretty crucial here. Erupt is trying to hang on, but looks to be in trouble, and Pretty Kruz seems to be running out of gas. That one was outside the entire way around the race track, making for a tough go. Rod Steiger was holding his ground while La Grande Terre looked to split the field and was able to take the lane right behind Pretty Ferro heading into the stretch. Further back, Mist Maker was preparing to make a wide move in the stretch, but would have clear room ahead of him if he could make the lane stick. Others in the field seemed to just be riding along at this point.

(Finish- 1:34.96)- Pretty Ferro takes the lead within the stretch and looks to open up on the field a little bit. As Jerry Bien was second, the interesting aspect to see how both of them handled the eighth furlong would play out. Pretty Ferro simply shined, and never seemed to let up and was able to cruise to the win! Jerry Bien, meanwhile, looked to struggle a lot more at the end, and would drop into a dead head for third. A steady stride by the maiden, La Grande Terre, allowed him to be second, though never really challenged Pretty Ferro. Mist Maker bounced back exceptionally well in this race with a strong run in this centerfield lane and ends up even with Jerry Bien. If this race were nine furlongs, I think he gets the win. Behind the top four, we had a wall of five for the fifth position. Rootin Tootin prevailed over Rod Steiger, Bolden, Dream Controlled and Erupt. Rounding out the order would be Fast Kruz, Wicked Orange, and Delta Storm.

About The Winner: Pretty Ferro, trained by Estero Farms and ridden to victory by J K Court, is a three year old gelding by Ferro, and out of Pretty One. He was bred in Ontario by Estero Farms as a second quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fifth in eight starts, his third stake win, and second graded win. His career earnings are now $394.960.

Horse Name

Owner Name

Jockey

Odds

Fin

Time

SRF

Pretty Ferro

Estero Farms

Court J K

2.60

1^1/2