Destin Breezes Five Furlongs at Palm Beach Downs

Coady Photography

Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) winner Destin, who will enter the May 7th Kentucky Derby (gr. I) off a rare eight-week layoff, turned in a sharp workout on April 23rd at Palm Beach Downs that suggests he could be ready for a big performance on the first Saturday in May.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Destin worked in company and started about a length in front of his workmate and was never seriously urged while running the first three furlongs in :36.32 according to Palm Beach Downs clocker Dave Norton. Destin then drew off strongly in the homestretch while under a little urging, running the final quarter-mile in :24 flat to best his stablemate by about three lengths. Destin also galloped out strongly, going six furlongs in 1:13.40 according to Norton and a mile in approximately 1:40.

A son of Giant’s Causeway out of the Siberian Summer mare Dream of Summer, Destin is a full brother to 2011 Norfolk Stakes (gr. I) winner and 2012 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) third-place finisher Creative Cause. Destin has compiled a record of three wins and one second from five starts and has won two graded stakes races this year, with a win in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) preceding his victory in the Tampa Bay Derby.

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