The 2012 Holy Bull Stakes was won by Algorithms, bred by Kentucky Derby Tours alumni Pat Klussman and Oakbrook Farm.  Everyone was looking for Hansen to punch another hole in his 2012 Kentucky Derby ticket in the 2012 Kentucky Derby prep race the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park today.

In post-position order, the horses for the Holy Bull Stakes were Silver Max, Consortium, My Adonis, Hansen, Fort Loudin, Algorithms.  The weather was not very friendly as the track was listed as sloppy.  Pre-race talk was about how “speed in the race” would affect the outcome of the Holy Bull Stakes today.  This was Hansen’s first start since holding off Union Rags to win the 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs.

Hansen took a slight stumble coming out of the gate but went to an easy early 2 length lead, which turned into a 3 length lead before the ½  mile pole (split was 45.67).  Algorithms came up to him and took the lead at the turn and pulled away to win the Holy Bull Stakes, Hansen was second and My Adonis was third.

Undefeated in two previous starts, Algorithms gave Hansen his first defeat.  Algorithms is a son of Bernardini and is trained by Todd Pletcher.  Algorithms was ridden by Javier Castellano who also rode Bernardini during his racing career.

Algorithms was the only entrant in the Holy Bull Stakes to have won over the Gulfstream Park main track. “He’s trained very well,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “His first two races have been excellent, he’s bred to stretch out and we’re optimistic he’s a top-level colt.”

In the winners circle after the race, Algorithms owners Starlight Partners thanked Kentucky Derby Tours alumni, Pat Klussman of Oakbrook Farm for breeding this horse.  Pat and her late husband, Bill Klussman joined our Kentucky Derby Tours for many years.   Not a stranger to having bred a Kentucky Derby starter, Pat Klussman and Oakbrook Farm also bred Keyed Entry who set the pace when he ran in the 2006 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs which was won by Barbaro.  Looks like we may see the Klussman’s looking for 2012 Kentucky Derby tickets.  Algorithms is certainly shaping up to be a horse to watch for the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

Starlight Partners hope to see Algorithms in the Florida Derby on March 31 at Gulfstream Park.  Algorithms paid $7.00 to win the Holy Bull Stakes.

“Looking to the 2012 Kentucky Oaks “ department, the Forward Gal Stakes for 3 year old fillies was also on the card at Gulfstream Park today.  Run on a sloppy track with rain falling, Broadway’s Alibi, at odds of 6 to 5 dominated the race and won by 14 lengths over Say a Novena. Sacristy finished third.  In the stretch, Broadway’s Alibi opened up and pulled away from the field.

Broadway’s Alibi is a 3-year-old daughter of Vindication.  It was two in a row for Todd Pletcher, winning the Forward Gal and then the Holy Bull Stakes.  Owner-breeder is E. Paul Robsham.  Jockey John Velasquez said she ran “very nice” when asked by a reported how the race was run.