Shesterkin

Trainer Todd Pletcher has unsaddled the winner of the GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby a record five times--no one else has more than two to their credit--and he stands a fair chance to make it a half-dozen Saturday afternoon when he sends out the two favorites on the morning line. Pegged at odds of 8-5 is Whisper Hill Farm's 'TDN Rising Star' Tapit Trice (Tapit), who will attempt to provide his sire with a fourth winner of the race since in its last 10 runnings (Ring Weekend, 2014; the...

Unveiled at Aqueduct Nov. 6, Tapit Trice (Tapit) endured a wide trip throughout and was coming on late but had to settle for third just 2 1/2 lengths off the winner. It would be the only time so far that the grey son of Tapit did not find the winner's circle as he rebounded with a narrow victory over a muddy but sealed track Dec. 17 before flying south to Gulfstream to earn his 'TDN Rising Star' nod with an eight-length romp Saturday. Racing with Lasix for the first time,...

2nd-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 12-31, 2yo, 7f, 1:24.18, ft, 2 1/4 lengths. SHESTERKIN (c, 2, Violence--Freedom Star {GSW, $332,972}, by Street Cry {Ire}), 3-1 in his first start since bringing $330,000 at OBS March earlier this year, was sent to the lead under Irad Ortiz, Jr. and set the pace through a :22.54 opening quarter. Shaken up from just off the rail when Case (Sky Mesa) challenged in a tight spot against the rail, Shesterkin held his ground as the pair exchanged bumps and dug in to turn back that rival,...