Therapist Overcomes Erratic Behavior to Win $100,000 Laurel Futurity
Therapist Overcomes Erratic Behavior to Win $100,000 Laurel Futurity
LAUREL, MD – Oak Bluff Stables’ Therapist overcame erratic behavior before the start of Saturday’s $100,000 Laurel Futurity, straightening out in the stretch to prevail by a head.
The 91st running Laurel Futurity, a six-furlong turf sprint for 2-year-olds, was the last of seven stakes featured on the 12-race Fall Festival of Racing program headlined by the $250,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3).
The Christophe Clement-trained Therapist broke through the starting gate, unseating jockey Daniel Centeno, and subsequently balked while being reloaded into Stall 5. After delaying the start a few minutes, the 2-year-old son of Freud broke somewhat slowly from the gate and settled in sixth as Stroll Smokin and Shane’s Jewel dueled for pacesetting honors along the backstretch and into the far turn.
Therapist saved ground before being sent to the outside for the stretch run behind 4-5 favorite Majestic Dunhill, before leveling off with a strong run to pass the favorite and catch Stroll Smoking yards before the wire.
“I got lucky he didn’t get hurt in the gate. It was only his second start and he got nervous. He broke a little slow and I put him on the rail and I saved all the ground. I was watching the favorite and turning for home, I put him into gear and he responded,” said Centeno said. “He galloped out strong. He
ran big after breaking through the gate.”
Saddled by assistant Fernando Torres, Therapist ran six furlongs in 1:09.56 to remain undefeated in two starts. The New York-bred colt had previously captured his career debut at Belmont Park July 2, when he rallied from far back with an eight-wide move to scored by 1 ¾ lengths against state-bred maidens.
Stroll Strokin, a 20-1 long shot ridden by Jevian Toledo, held second money, 1 ½ lengths behind Majestic Dunhill, who was ridden by Tyler Gaffalione.
