Soldat's Kentucky Derby work encourages McLaughlin
By Mike Welsch
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - Fountain of Youth winner Soldat gave every indication he’s bounced out of his disappointing performance in the Grade 1 Florida Derby in good order after zipping five furlongs in 59.07 seconds under absolutely perfect conditions early Thursday morning at Palm Meadows.
Breaking off at the half-mile pole, Soldat went his opening quarter-mile in 24.01. He changed leads perfectly while hugging the rail into the stretch then accelerated down the lane, covering his next quarter in 23.27 to hit the finish line in 47.28 while under just slight encouragement nearing the wire . Soldat then continued on very strongly around the turn to the mile pole in what was little more than a gallop-out before pulling up six furlongs in 1:12.76 and seven-eighths in 1:27.82.
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