One Stripe romps home at Gulfstream Park in the familiar yellow with purple stars colours of South Africa’s Champion Owners, Hollywood Racing (Photo by Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos)
If the Drakenstein Stud-bred One World colt One Stripe could talk he would likely have spoken of the insult of starting second favourite in an Allowance Optional Claiming race over a mile on the Gulfstream Park turf on Friday to a horse whose career record was four wins of ordinary races in 26 starts … and One Stripe was receiving two pounds from that horse too.
After all he is the winner of South Africa’s two most prestigious mile races, the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate.
However, One Stripe, who is owned by Hollywood Racing and Rikesh Sewgoolam, got the last laugh by not only obliterating the field under a hands and heels ride by John Velazquez but he did it in a time that came close to matching Gulfstream Park’s twenty-year-old mile course record.
The Americans could probably be forgiven for writing off the champion colt, because on paper his first two starts in North America did not make great reading.
He was given a very tough North American debut in the Gr 1 Woodbine Mile, especially considering he had travelled over from South Africa and had to spend some time in quarantine before beginning his preparation.
The Woodbine race panned out awfully and the ride by John Velazquez was criticised in some quarters, so he did well to run on strongly when finally seeing daylight for a five length fifth to British-bred Notable Speech, whose two previous Gr 1 wins included the English 2000 Guineas.
One Stripe was then given a roundly criticised ride in the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Mile, where he was asked to lead, which was against his normal hold up style, and he was ridden too hard in front too before fading to a 7,75 length last. Notable Speech was once again the winner.
South African pundits and fans knew he was better than those two runs.
Nevertheless, the locals were clearly not convinced of his quality and he started 5/2 on Friday with Judge Davis favourite at 8/5.
The weights looked to be set such that the four-year-olds received two pounds from the older horses.
Jumping from draw seven of seven Hall Of Fame jockey Velazquez found a beautiful position in midfield in a one out position with cover.
One Stripe swept around them on the final turn, keeping Judge Davis in a pocket momentarily, and he then romped to a 5,25 length victory.
The track record set by Mr Light on January 3, 2005, more than 20 years ago, is 1 minute 31,41 seconds and One Stripe stopped the clock in 1 minute 31,81 seconds, just 0,4 seconds shy of the record under a hands and heels ride.
He will be treated with a lot more respect next time out!
