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Tabor's Investment In Lion Tamer Yields Victory In Hutcheson
By: John Gaver III
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Feb. 15, 2003) - Michael Tabor's recent $1.5 million purchase, Lion Tamer, validated his lofty price tag and vaulted himself into an ever-widening group of contenders for the 129th running of the Kentucky Derby by posting a flashy six-length win over stretch-running Strength Within in the 50th running of the Hutcheson Stakes (GII) at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla. on Feb. 15. Crafty Guy, who made all the pace in the six-horse field, was another three lengths back in third.
Scrimshaw, First Blush and Cajun Beat completed the official order of finish.
Sent off as the 6-5 favorite, Lion Tamer returned $4.60, $3.40 and $2.60. He covered seven furlongs over a "fast" surface in 1:22.60 for trainer Todd Pletcher.
A slightly built, chestnut son of the young sire Will's Way, Lion Tamer looked a picture in the post-parade prior to the race - on his toes, with his neck arched. As he has in the past, he got away to a slow start but soon picked up the bit without urging to press freewheeling Crafty Guy, who carved out a quarter-mile in :22.18 and a half in a snappy :44.29.
Nearing the quarter-pole, Lion Tamer had collared Crafty Guy and then spurted clear by daylight at the three-sixteenths pole. Glen Hill Farm's Strength Within, who was unhurried early by jockey Earlie Fires, took advantage of the brisk pace to finish a good second in his first start against winners, but he was no real threat to Lion Tamer, who leveled-off nicely from the eighth-pole to the wire under jockey John Velazquez.
With the win, Lion Tamer improved his career record to three wins and one second from four lifetime starts. The $90,000 winner's share of the Hutcheson purse elevated his career earnings to $146,000.
Tabor, who was on hand to witness the performance, indicated that Lion Tamer might point for the Grade III Gotham Stakes going one-mile at Aqueduct on Mar. 16. Strength Within may be headed to the mile and a sixteenth Tampa Bay Derby (GIII) at Tampa Bay Downs, also on Mar. 16.
In the third race on the Fountain of Youth undercard, Calumet Farm's Region Of Merit scored an impressive five-length win over the graded stakes-placed colt Spite The Devil in a second-tier allowance race. The chestnut son of Touch Gold covered a mile and 70 yards in 1:42.32 while winning his third straight race.
In other 3-year-year old action on the Fountain of Youth undercard, Jacks Or Better Farm Inc.'s Massive survived two claims of foul to win a six furlong allowance race in 1:10.15 under Pat Day…The Overbrook Farm homebred Quick Draw scored a wire-to-wire win in 1:10.31 as the favorite in a six-furlong maiden allowance race…Aristocat completed a good day for Tabor and flattered Region Of Merit when the son of Tale of the Cat won a mile and a sixteenth entry-level allowance race by 2 ¼-lengths in 1:44.82. Even-money favorite Christine's Outlaw, who was rank early, tossing his head and fighting jockey Jerry Bailey, finished sixth of seven. Aristocat was coming off a 1 ½-length loss at the hands of Region Of Merit.
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