Derby hopeful Soldat takes allowance

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Hallandale Beach, FL (Sports Network) - Three-year-old colt Soldat, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, began his path on the Kentucky Derby Trail with a victory in Friday's ninth race at Gulfstream Park. The colt was the 6-5 favorite in the seven horse field off his second-place finish in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

Soldat is the winner of two of six starts, including two second-place finishes on dirt at the beginning of his career. Owned by Harvey Clarke and W. Craig Robertson III, the three-year-old has earned $314,300 overall.

Ridden by Alan Garcia, Soldat covered the 1 1/8-miles in 1:49.22 over a sloppy track.

Breaking from post two, Soldat set the pace along the inside with 5-2 second choice Cool Blue Red Hot pressing the pace in second. Cool Blue Red Hot drew within a head of the leader on the far turn, but was unable to stay with the pacesetter.

Soldat drew off down the stretch to win by 10 3/4-lengths over Cool Blue Red Hot in the $51,500 race. Beamer finished third followed by Mas Trueno, Lauburu, Financial Empire and Halo's Thunder. Trainer Nick Zito scratched Dialed In in the morning.

Soldat returned $4.40, $2.60 and $2.20. Cool Blue Red Hot paid $3.00 and $3.00, and Beamer paid $3.80 to show.

Soldat could make his next start in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream on February 26.