Toretto gets serious in Gulfstream Park maiden-breaker

After finishing third in a 7 1/2-furlong turf race at Gulfstream Park back on Dec. 13, Circle 8’s Toretto was laid up by trainer Michell Nihei for more than nine months. Yesterday, he made a successful return at Gulfstream in a $52,000 maiden special weight test at a flat mile on the grass with Luca Panici.

The 3-year-old son of Handsome Mike had been doing well in the morning at the Palm Meadows training center – including a pair of bullet works on the grass on Aug, 1 and Aug. 10 – and was sent off at odds of 7/2 despite the layoff. Panici settled Toretto into a comfortable sixth on the first turn, six lengths behind the leaders, then began moving him closer down the backstretch. Panici swung him wide on the turn and Toretto ate up the pack, and from there on it was no contest. Announcer Pete Aiello brought him home with, “Toretto now gets serious and puts ’em away,” as the gelding reached the wire 1 1/4 lengths in front.

Toretto, bred by Tropical Racing, collected a check for $31,900, breaking his maiden in his fifth start. He paid $9.20 after getting the mile in 1:36. 99, and earned an excellent personal best ’81’ speed figure from Equibase.