Wellabled was fifth out of the gate but surged quickly between horses to set all the pace in the 34th running of the $50,000 black type Forego Stakes at Turfway Park Friday.
Provided photo
The 4-year-old son of Shackleford drew away unchallenged to win by seven lengths over the stalking Lanier, while Crewman, last year’s Forego winner, moved up from mid-pack among the 12-horse field to finish another length back in third.
Breaking from post six, Wellabled set sharp fractions of :22.68, :45.48 and 1:10.38 before finishing the 6 1/2-furlong race for older horses in 1:16.82.
Wellabled was making his first start this year and just his third start since a knee chip and throat surgery sidelined him for nearly his entire sophomore season.
“He had all kinds of trouble after the (2016) Breeders’ Cup (Juvenile Turf),” said winning trainer Larry Rivelli. “Things just came at him back-to-back, so we had no choice but to stop on him, and we let him get ready on his own. It turned out to be a year.
“He’s an unbelievable athlete,” Rivelli continued. “He’s probably the most athletic, agile horse I’ve ever trained. He loves the synthetic tracks.”
Rodney Prescott was in from Oaklawn Park for the Forego, his first race at Turfway this season. “He broke sharp and that was it,” he said. “I never even uncocked my stick. He ran a big race.”
Heartwood was fourth, followed by Dac, Fast and Accurate, Snow Leopard, Gold Ekati, Unmoored, Chiltern Street, Hollywood Talent and the filly Gilded Lily.
Sent off the 6-5 favorite, Wellabled returned $4.60 to win, $3 to place and $2.60 to show.
Rivelli trains Wellabled for owner Carolyn Wilson. The graded stakes winner was bred in Kentucky by PTS Ranch LLC and is out of Expressive Diva, by In Excess (IRE). The Forego victory improved his record to five wins and one second from nine starts and increased his purse earnings to $214,856.
Turfway Park
