Graydar steals Donn Handicap

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Hallandale Beach, FL (Sports Network) - Graydar, ridden by Edgar Prado, took the early lead and was never challenged in winning Saturday's 57th edition of the $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park. The time for the 1 1/8-miles was 1:48.25 on a fast track.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Graydar took the lead on the first turn and led the 10-horse field up the backstretch. The gray 4-year-old colt was unchallenged as the field entered the final turn.

Running in just his fourth career race, Graydar cruised to a three-length victory over Bourbon Courage with 2012 Florida Derby winner Take Charge Indy rallying for third.

Flat Out, the 2-1 favorite, finished fourth followed by Csaba, Pool Play, Fast Falcon, Ducduc, Citrus Kid and Ultimate Eagle.

"He's a lightly raced horse, but unfortunately we've had a lot of spacing between his races, not by design. It's just the way it's worked out. We felt like he's doing really well right now. We know he likes Gulfstream and let's take a shot at a big one while he's in good form and see what happens," said Pletcher prior to the race.

Owned by Twin Creeks Racing, Graydar registered his biggest win in his first stakes race. The victory was worth $300,000 putting his career earnings at $361,560 with three wins in four starts.

All three wins have come at Gulfstream, including an 8 1/2-length maiden victory last April. Off until September, he finished third at Belmont Park and won an allowance race at Gulfstream on Dec. 6 by 4 1/4-lengths.

Graydar paid $13.40, $6.80 and $4.80. Bourbon Courage returned $4.60 and $3.40, and Take Charge Indy paid $4.20 to show.