Traffic trouble proved to be no problem for Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro), who muscled his way to the lead and went on to becoming racing's newest millionaire in the GII Ft. Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Despite winning twice this season in the lead up to this race, Major Dude had been rounding into his best form to date. When he won last out Oct. 10 at Keeneland against allowance company, his two-length victory was given a 96 Beyer and his effort July 20 at Saratoga against optional claimers garnered a 97 Beyer figure. He had sandwiched a fifth place effort in the GI Fourstardave Handicap in between those runs, and was a close 2-1 second choice in the betting with GISW Win for the Money (Mohaymen) here.
Fractious in the gate but able to find cover in midpack around the turn and up the backstretch, Major Dude was traveling comfortably behind :24.13, :47.97, and 1:10.99 early splits. With the pack closing ranks through the far bend and running room limited, he was forced to wait until the eighth pole to find it. Muscling his way to clear sailing just in time to meet a fast-closing GSW Fort Washington (War Front), the Spendthrift colors sailed home to win the photo by a neck.
“[I got a] beautiful trip,” said Irad Ortiz Jr. “He broke sharp and we wanted to have a target with him. We like to cover him. He relaxed real good.”
“Before the quarter pole, I probably had a chance to go around but we think he likes it between horses. He's very game. I went for it and thank God it worked out perfect because otherwise I would be so sad, getting beat with these horses, because he was ready. He deserves a lot of credit. He deserves more credit than me.”
The connections revealed the contest was intended to be a stepping stone for the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf, and with the win here, Major Dude had punched his ticket.
“We've been pointing for this [race] to hopefully set him up for the [GI] Pegasus Turf. That's what we were hoping for,” said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “I think he ran well enough to give that a try.”
Pletcher claimed the top two spots in 2021 with MGISW Colonel Liam (Liam's Map) and GSW & GISP Largent (Into Mischief) and again in 2022 when Colonel Liam defended his title and MSW & GISP Never Surprised (Constitution) ran second.
Traffic issues didn't stop #4 MAJOR DUDE ($6.40) and @IradOrtiz from getting thru to win the $215,000 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The son of Bolt d'Oro (@spendthriftfarm) is trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by @spendthriftfarm. pic.twitter.com/P9V9FqWSR0
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 21, 2024
Pedigree Note:
Hailing from the female line of the venerable champion older mare MGISW Personal Ensign (Private Account), Major Dude is the most accomplished runner for his dam, Mary Rita. The mare's most recent to the races is unplaced 3-year-old Radio Liberty (Audible). There is a yearling colt by Charlatan and a 2024 colt by Jack Christopher in the wings. Mary Rita was sent to Forte for 2025. This is the immediate family of 'TDN Rising Star' GISW Arabian Lion (Justify) through Listed placed Unbound (Distorted Humor), a half-sister to Major Dude's dam.
Through the aforementioned third dam, the female family contains a fleet of accomplished runners, namely MGISW My Flag and her daughter, champion 2-year-old filly MGISW Storm Flag Flying; GSW Dynamic One (Union Rags); MGSW & GISP Performer (Speightstown); MGSP Salute (Unbridled) and her four graded-quality offspring led by GISW Mr Speaker (Pulpit); and GISW Seeking the Soul (Perfect Soul {Ire}). The named runners hail from just three of Personal Ensign's daughters as an exhaustive list would run off the page.
Saturday, Gulfstream
FT LAUDERDALE S.-GII, $200,000, Gulfstream, 12-21, 3yo/up, 1 1/8mT, 1:45.73, fm.
1–MAJOR DUDE, 121, c, 4, by Bolt d'Oro
1st Dam: Mary Rita (SP), by Distorted Humor
2nd Dam: Possibility, by A.P. Indy
3rd Dam: Personal Ensign, by Private Account
($550,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG). O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Clearsky Farms (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $119,040. Lifetime Record: 18-7-3-2, $1,075,297. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Fort Washington, 126, h, 5, War Front–Azaelia (Fr), by Turtle Bowl (Ire). ($260,000 4yo '23 FTKHRA). O-Magic Cap Stables; B-Joseph Allen, LLC & White Birch Farm, Inc. (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. $38,400.
3–Win for the Money, 126, g, 5, Mohaymen–Mayakoba, by War Chant. ($95,000 Ylg '20 FTKSEL; $350,000 2yo '21 FTFMAR). O-Live Oak Plantation; B-Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $19,200.
Margins: NK, NK, 1. Odds: 2.20, 11.60, 2.10.
Also Ran: Grand Sonata, Siege of Boston, Cash Equity (Fr), Emmanuel, Lorenz (Brz), Saratoga Flash.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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