War Giant made his stakes debut a memorable one, as he romped to a 5 ¾ length victory in the Carry Back Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old Data Link colt had come into the race off of back-to-back victories against older horses.
Content to take the lead early, War Giant set a pressured pace then edged away on top in the turn under jockey Emisael Jaramillo. He completed the seven furlong contest in 1:22.85 over a fast main track.
Oscar Gonzalez trains War Giant for Wilfredo Agusti, Jr., and the chestnut colt is now a perfect three-for-three this year.
“He’s a good horse,” Gonzalez said. “He wants to lead the race from the very beginning. If he can do two splits in front, he’s very difficult to overcome. I always thought he could run good, but he’s been developing slowly. He was kind of a distracted horse, but with the blinkers he is improving, so we will keep them on. I think that the horse’s talent is limitless. I think he is a graded-stakes horse.”
War Giant was bred in Kentucky by Breffni Farm and Castle Park Farm. He is out of the Conquistador Cielo mare Robust, who is a half-sister to 1986 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Danzig Connection.
Second crop sire Data Link is a Grade 1-winning son of War Front. He has also been represented this year by additional stakes winner Spinning Top. Data Link stands for $5,000 at Claiborne.
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