Eaton's Gift rolls in Swale

Zayat Stables' Eaton's Gift sped to the lead early, opened up a clear lead turning for home, and pulled away to record a 3 1/2-length score in the $150,000 Swale Stakes (GII) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. The Dale Romans charge broke well and was soon in front from his two post, establishing splits of :21 4/5 and :44 1/5 while being pressed by 3-2 favorite Wincat (Hold That Tiger). The sophomore colt was asked for his best by Kent Desormeaux approaching the final turn and responded, reaching three-quarters in a swift 1:08 4/5 prior to completing the 6 1/2-furlong test in a sharp 1:15 3/5 on the fast dirt. The 7-2 third choice paid $9.60, $5 and $3.40.

Surrealdeal (Awesome Again) was well back early but closed with energy to earn the place spot by a neck. The 56-1 outsider was worth $24.80 and $6.20 while completing the $123.10 exacta ($1). Wincat managed third while 3 1/2 lengths clear of his nearest foe, good for $2.80. The $1 trifecta returned $454.90. Silver Edition (Silver Deputy), the 5-2 second choice, was next and finished off the $1,199.10 superfecta (2-3-6-5). Mr. Foz (Yes It's True), Coal Play (Mineshaft) and St. Joe (Trippi) rounded out the field, with the latter being eased late.

Eaton's Gift earned his first stakes score while improving his mark to 5-3-0-0, $153,716. The improving three-year-old set the pace before tiring in the CashCall Futurity (G1) last out.

The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State by Donarra Thoroughbreds LLC, and attracted a bid of $150,000 at the 2006 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is the second foal produced from the winning Kit's Girl (Carson City), and has a two-year-old half-sister named Brief Tears (Orientate) and an unnamed yearling half-brother by Bernstein. Kit's Girl is a half-sister to a trio of stakes winners, including Canadian champion Knight's Templar (Exploit).