WinStar Farm LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC’s Carpe Diem returned to the races in style, sitting just off the pace in the early going of the $350, 000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2), taking command turning for home and drawing off to a five length victory. It’s the second graded stakes win for the 3-year-old colt by Giant’s Causeway, trained by Todd Pletcher, now 4-3-1-0 with $919,800 in earnings. A $1.6-million co-sale topper at the 2014 OBS March Sale, he was purchased out of the Northwest Stud consignment after working an eighth in:10 1/5 at the Under Tack Show. The win gives him a 4-3-1-0 record and $919,800 in earnings. watch his under tack video
Zayat Stables LLC’s El Kabeir used new tactics in Saturday’s $400,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct, relaxing near the rear of the pack in the early going before angling off the rail turning for home, taking charge in the stretch and cruising to a 2-3/4 length victory. It’s the third graded stakes win for the John Terranova trainee, purchased for a co-sale topping $250,000 by EQB, Inc. on behalf of Zayat Stables from Summerfield (Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck), Agent for Rustlewood Farm, at the 2013 OBS August Yearling Sale. Now 8-4-2-1, he has earned $678,892 to date. Selected Sale conformation photo