Story by
Caroline St. Beat Pulls 17-1 Surprise In Nashville Derby
- Story by
- Caroline St. Beat Pulls 17-1 Surprise In Nashville Derby
Caroline St. Beat Pulls 17-1 Surprise In Nashville Derby
Just a week removed from winning in New York-bred allowance company, Caroline St. Beat delivered a 17-upset in the $3-million Nashville Derby Invitational (G2) Saturday at Kentucky Downs, defeating last-out Grade 1 winner and pacesetter Glacius (GB) and earning his first stakes win.
Saving ground early under Tyler Gaffalione while Glacius set the early tempo, the Tiz the Law colt was in contention around the turn along the rail, then angled out nearing the top of the stretch with only Glacius between him and the finish line. He steadily reeled in the front-runner and drew even with a quarter mile to run. The pair pulled clear of their eight rivals and matched strides before Caroline St. Beat dug down inside the final sixteenth and surged to victory by 1 1/2 lengths.
Advertisement
"[Trainer] Miguel [Clement] told me to just ride him with a ton of confidence," Gaffalione said. "He said that the horse had come back off short rest, but he's been doing great. He definitely proved that today, and he gave us a big effort.
"Approaching the half-mile pole going down the hill, he really grabbed the bit and was traveling beautifully. I was able to give him a little breather there. He took another pull nearing the three-eighths pole. As soon as we popped him outside, he found another gear and finished up well."
Caroline St. Beat finished the 1 5/16 miles in 2:08.49 on turf rated as firm.
Go Grey was third, 3 3/4 lengths behind Saratoga Derby (G1) winner Glacius in the field of 10. Favorite Causeway was fifth.
Advertisement
"Last time, the track was softer, and it seemed like he really loved it," jockey Luis Saez said of Glacius' performance in the Aug. 8 Saratoga Derby. "Today, the track was much harder."
Madaket Stables and Steven Bouchey's Caroline St. Beat was starting for the first time outside of New York for trainer Miguel Clement. Just seven day's prior to Saturday's race, he defeated winners Aug. 29 at Saratoga. A debut winner last August going 1 1/16 miles at the Spa, Caroline St. Beat finished second in the Notebook last November at Aqueduct then did not start again until July 26 when a late-closing second in the Rick Violette at Saratoga before rebounding in allowance company.
Bred in New York by Lawrence Goichman, Caroline St. Beat is out of the multiple stakes-winning Scat Daddy mare Myheartbelongstodaddy. The $1,003,625 winner's share of the Nashville Derby purse saw his lifetime bankroll soar to $1,175,875.
This story was originally published by Paulick Report on Sep 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
