STROLL was represented today by two debut-winning 3-year-olds. These 3-year-olds are from STROLL‘s first crop since returning from Italy to stand in the U.S. This gives him 16 winners and 10 placed horses, from 31 starters, and earnings of over $1 million for this crop.
ESCAPIST, after hitting the gate, led at every call to win this five-furlong Maiden Special Weight on the turf at Gulfstream Park by 4 1/4 lengths. Bred by Claiborne Farm out of the stakes-placed ARCH mare, Bend, the colt is a half-brother to GSW Clearly Now (by HORSE GREELEY). ESCAPIST was a $31,000 yearling purchase out of the Keeneland 2012 September sale by Peter Pugh who trains and is a co-owner, along with Cherry Knoll Farm.
EXPLORE easily won his debut, also by 4 1/4 lengths, going a mile on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs. The Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone homebred vied for the lead early from the outset in a field of 10, then responded when asked and pulled away for his final margin of victory. EXPLORE is out of the winning Giant’s Causeway mare, Elsie Jay, and is trained by Arnaud Delacour.