By Lenny Shulman
BH
Destin, who lost the 2016 Belmont Stakes (G1) by a heartbreaking nose to Creator, raced close up the entire journey and pulled away late to defeat longshot Infobedad by a length in the $200,000 Marathon Stakes Presented by TAA (G2) going 1 3/4 miles Nov. 3 on Breeders’ Cup Friday at Del Mar.
Destin raced just off the front running Infobedad through the early stages of the Marathon through fractions of :23.87, :49.06, and 1:14.26. Up the backstretch Ground Rules made an impression at the rail but did not gain level terms with the two front runners, who ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:05.97 and 1 1/2 miles in 2:32.06.
Favored Hard Aces made a menacing move around the final turn but could not sustain it, as Destin pulled ahead of Infobedad to hit the wire in 2:57.77, just .37 seconds off the track record. Destin had 1 1/4 lengths on the runner-up, with Hard Aces settling for third and Noble Nick finishing fourth.
Destin is a 4-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway -Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer bred in Kentucky by James Weigel and Taylor Made Stallions. He is owned by Twin Creeks Racing Stable and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and was ridden by John Velazquez for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Destin won an allowance-optional claimer in August at Saratoga Race Course before stumbling at the start and losing all chance in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) Oct. 7 at Belmont Park. His previous victory had come in last year’s Tampa Bay Derby (G2) before he ran sixth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
Destin, the 2-1 second choice in the Marathon, returned $6, $4.20, and $2.80. Infobedad paid $21.80 and $9.20, and Hard Aces was good for $2.40 to show.
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