It was a graded stakes double for WAR FRONT on Saturday when First World War’s victory in the Kitten’s Joy S. (G3) was followed up across the country by Goliad in the Thunder Road S. (G3).
Racing over 1 1/16 miles on the turf, First World War shadowed Tocayo around the track. Sitting about a length behind that rival, Tyler Gaffalione waited until they were in the far turn to cue his mount with the 3-year-old making a serious bid as they turned into the stretch.
The pair sparred until the sixteenth when First World War inched ahead to take over. Another horse was able to get between the two by the wire with First World War winning by half a length over Hammerstein.
Racing for Qatar Racing and Hunter Valley Farm, First World War’s win came one start after finishing second by half a length in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes.
At Santa Anita a few hours later, it was Goliad’s time to shine in the Thunder Road S. (G3).
The 7-year-old bolted to the front at the start of the one-mile turf race and made sure no one was going to get near him with multiple lengths on the field throughout the run. The gelding coasted home in the end to win by three lengths in a time of 1:33.57.
It was the fourth win for the Ramona and Perry Bass homebred and his first graded stakes victory after finishing second in the Cecil B. DeMille S. (G3) as a juvenile.
In a big day for WAR FRONT,he also saw son Siege of Boston finish third by just half a length in the Tampa Bay Stakes (G3). In all, WAR FRONT saw three of his four stakes runners yesterday hit the board with two winners.