War Pass romps in return

Undefeated champion WAR PASS (Cherokee Run) made a scintillating return to racing on Sunday when dusting allowance foes in the 10TH race at Gulfstream Park. The win by War Pass was never in doubt as the sophomore exuded class throughout in taking his fifth straight race for owner Robert LaPenta and trainer Nick Zito, the same connections as Fountain of Youth S. (G2) winner Cool Coal Man (Mineshaft) one race earlier.

The dark bay three-year-old went right to the front and set splits of :23 4/5 and :46 3/5 while under a hold by Cornelio Velasquez. As the duo turned for home they were three clear, and War Pass poured it on late while never being asked for anything resembling his best, finishing 7 1/2 lengths the best and clocking the one-mile contest in a sharp 1:36 1/5 on the fast dirt. The prohibitive 1-20 favorite paid $2.10 and $2.10.

"He's a very happy horse," Velasquez said. "He's the best horse in the country right now. He's better than last year, he galloped out really strong. He wanted to win today."

Zito was breathing a sigh of relief afterward.

"You still have anxiety no matter how you look at it," the Hall of Famer said. "When horses haven't run for a long time, there are injuries every day, so I know how grateful I am.

"He's unbelievable. That's what we wanted for him. Three weeks from now (Tampa Bay Derby [G3] on March 15), it will be a little tougher. I was happy for the fans. I'm a fan myself. I'm grateful to Gulfstream Park for putting the race on. He broke like a rocket. It would have been nice if he had sat back, but as long as he keeps winning, I'm happy. He's a special horse, he really is."

War Pass' stablemate, Web Gem (Fusaichi Pegasus), was next and finished 16 1/4 lengths ahead of Chadwell (Mazel Trick), who was in front of Dylan's Choice (Sligo Bay [Ire]) and Jet Run (Waquoit). Ultimate Authority (Double Honor) was scratched.

War Pass added $36,000 to his bankroll, which now stands at $1,433,400. A winner in maiden and allowances/optional claiming races at Saratoga to start his career, the colt dominated both the Champagne S. (G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) en route to earning champion honors. He has won his five lifetime tries by a combined 22 lengths and has yet to be headed at any call.

Bred in Kentucky by Cherry Valley Farm LLC, War Pass is out of the multiple stakes-placed Vue (Mr. Prospector), making him a half-brother to 1996 Spinaway S. (G1) heroine Oath (Known Fact), 2004 Raven Run S. (G2) runner-up Vision of Beauty (Danzig) and an unnamed two-year-old colt by Monarchos. War Pass's fourth dam is Bayou (Hill Prince), the champion three-year-old filly 1957 and a noted producer, whose illustrious descendants include two-time champion and $3.5-million earner Slew O' Gold and multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Aptitude.

The Juvenile winner was purchased for a bargain $180,000 as a Keeneland September yearling.