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| Staff Writer |
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Instant Replay made his mark in the racing annals on Saturday, becoming the first stakes winner for second-crop sire Maximum Security with a determined victory in the Bathhouse Row Stakes at Oaklawn Park, securing a coveted berth in the Gr.1 Preakness Stakes.
Racing closer to the pace than in recent outings, the Gary and Mary West homebred tracked in fifth through fractions of :23.54 and :49.42. Mounting a sustained four-wide challenge around the far turn, the bay colt powered down the stretch to defeat narrow Sunland Park Derby runner-up Caldera by three-quarters of a length.
Flaiven Prat, holding his mount under a tight rein throughout, only asked for maximum effort in the final furlong. "He wasn't in front until the final sixteenth, but was in charge when it counted," noted track observers as the 3-5 favourite fulfilled market expectations.
Trained by Brad Cox, Instant Replay has shown consistent progression this season, building on an impressive optional claimer victory on his sophomore debut at Fair Grounds on February 17 before a strong-closing third in the Gr.2 Louisiana Derby on March 22.
Saturday's victory in the 1⅛-mile dirt contest improves his career record to three wins from seven starts with two additional placings, pushing his earnings to US$313,358.
The 3YO son of Maximum Security is out of Academy Gal, a maiden West homebred who has produced a full brother to the winner as a 2YO. The dam's pedigree includes stakes-placed Flashy Gal and features champion Hold That Tiger and dual Gr.1 winner Editor's Note among its notable performers.
Academy Gal, who brought just US$5,000 from Gaelic Bloodstock at the 2023 Keeneland November sale, also has a 2023 Maximum Security colt and a Kantharos filly foaled this year.
Maximum Security, whose first crop has yielded 28 winners and four stakes performers, will see his breakthrough stakes winner attempt to enhance his growing reputation in the Triple Crown's middle jewel at Pimlico next month.