Never Surprised Stays Hot in Tropical Derby

[Wandering Eyes]

Sent off the 1-2 chalk to close a successful sophomore season, Repole Stable's NEVER SURPRISED (c, 3, Constitution–Tiz Dixie, by Tiznow) likely earned a spot in the field for the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf with a sparkling front-running success in Sunday's Tropical Park Derby, the same event used as a springboard to Pegasus success by stablemate Colonel Liam (Liam's Map) early this year. Exiting a big-figure victory in the Gio Ponti S. at Aqueduct last month, Never Surprised wasted no time getting to the front, but was made to work for it by longshot Lamplighter Jack (Fed Biz) through enervating fractions of :23.22 and :46.66. Going very well despite the demanding pace, Never Surprised began to sneak away from his beaten rival on the turn, was hand-ridden into the stretch and was merely shown the whip through the final sixteenth of a mile, scoring by the better part of a half-dozen lengths. The final time was a strong 1:40.39. Sales history: $200,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP. O-Repole Stable; B-Golden Pedigree LLC (KY); T-Todd Pletcher.

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