Toretto reaches new heights over Gulfstream’s Tapeta course

Toretto showed trainer Michelle Nihei he was ready to return to the races after a break of nearly four months with two bullet works on the turf at the Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach. The 4-year-old gelding by Handsome Mike posted a :48.20 four-furlong trial on May 13, followed by a :35.35 for three furlongs on May 24.

With Edwin Gonzalez aboard, Toretto lived up to his works yesterday, turning in the best performance of his nine-race career in a 5 1/2-furlong test over the Gulfstream Tapeta course. Under 126 pounds, the gelding owned and bred by Troy Levy’s Tropical Racing/Circle 8 operation broke well from the No. 2 post, tracked the leaders in fourth on the inside, edged closer to the top on the turn and powered through on the rail late to score by 3 1/2 widening lengths, clocked in 1:04.61.

Toretto paid $6 and earned $16,000 for his second victory in nine tries, boosting his total to $61,505.

At Golden Gates Field, Quantum Quest continued on the run that has seen him finish in the top four in eight consecutive races, winning two of the last three. The 4-year-old son of Gone Astray bred by W. K. and D. S. France went wire-to-wire in a $22,000 starter allowance, scoring by two lengths under Evin Roman. Under high-weight of 124 pounds, Quantum Quest broke like a shot, opened up a three-length lead in a :22.82 quarter, turned away two challenges in the stretch and boosted his record to 3-0-3 in nine tries. He was clocked in 1:10.90 for the six furlongs and the check for $13,200 increased his bank account to $54,000.