Repole-owned Colt Tops Florida-bred Exacta
BY LAUREL PARK PRESS OFFICE (Edited)
LAUREL, MD— “He wowed me,” jockey Sheldon Russell said after Frustrated completed six furlongs in a sprightly 1:10 flat to win his career debut in Friday’s second race at Laurel Park, topping a Florida-bred exacta with Plentyof Rogue second in a maiden special weight for 3-year-olds and older.
“That’s a cute horse, man,” said Sheldon’s wife, trainer Brittany Russell, as she headed onto the track to congratulate her team.
A talented one, too.
Frustrated broke from the outside post position in the five-horse field and rated comfortably while outside and clear of traffic as favored Card Shark covered the opening quarter in :22.82. Beach Landing was another length back in second, two lengths ahead of Frustrated and Plentyof Rogue racing together in and fourth respectively.
Card Shark, a $1 million yearling trained by Graham Motion and ridden by Jorge Ruiz, scooted clear at the three-eighths pole and braced for Frustrated’s challenge after a half-mile split of :45.72.
“He came over like a complete pro, traveled like a good horse,” Sheldon Russell said. “You just don’t know how much Jorgie is sitting on. I knew I had horse, but he seemed like he was going easy enough [too].”
Frustrated switched to his right lead just outside the eighth pole and scampered home to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of the late-running Plentyof Rogue. Card Shark was another length back in third. Beach Landing and Eclipticals Empire were next. Mythical Magic scratched.
Frustrated paid $4.40 to win as the second betting choice.
Bred in Florida by John and Leslie Malone’s Bridlewood Farm located in Ocala, Frustrated is a 3-year-old gelding by Maclean’s Music, out of Embur’s Zip, by City Zip. His second dam, the Unbridled’s Song mare Embur’s Song, was a multiple Grade 3 winner on synthetic tracks.
Bridlewood Farm as breeder earned a $3,000 Export Incentive paid by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association for the maiden special weight win outside the Sunshine State.
A $235,000 yearling buyback, Frustrated was purchased by Mike Repole’s Repole Stable for $425,000 last year and sent to trainer Todd Pletcher for early lessons. Frustrated breezed once for Pletcher at Monmouth before being laid up and transferred to Russell.
“He had some setbacks,” Brittany Russell said. “They sent him to Bruce Jackson at Fair Hill, and they obviously got him sorted out. These good ones get ready. He didn’t take much time, really. That was impressive. We were fond of him for a while. He had spent all of his time at Fair Hill with my crew up there. From the first few works, [assistant trainer Emma Wolfe] said this one might be all right.”
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