First-time Bucchero colts finish 1-2 in Gulfstream maiden special

Dropkick Murphy and Spy Hunter made their debuts yesterday in the fifth race at Gulfstream Park, a $40,000 maiden special at 5 1/2 furlongs. Both 2-year-old colts by Bucchero had been working well at the Palm Meadows Training Center, Dropkick Murphy posting two bullet works to one for Spy Hunter, and the bettors sent the former off as the 3/2 favorite, with the latter second choice at 5/2.

When the gate opened, the two sped to the front as a team and proceeded to dog each other through fractions of :22.45, :45:41 and :57.87, with no challenges from the rest of the field. At the top of the stretch, it was Spy Hunter who proved best, drawing off by 5 1/2 lengths in 1:04.62 and giving Bucchero his eighth winner in his initial crop.

Spy Hunter, a $28,000 OBS April 2-year-old, paid $7 and earned a check for $24,000, while Dropkick Murphy collected $8,400 for second. The $2 Pleasant Acres exacta paid $24.20.