BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Paterpop Racing’s Pike, who had been second five times and third twice in eight previous starts, was convincing in producing his first victory Saturday at Gulfstream Park, winning a $43,250 maiden special weight by five-and-three-quarters lengths. With Samy Camacho aboard for trainer Fernando Abreu, Pike won against five other 3-year-olds and older going seven furlongs.

Mediterranean Sea, the 6-5 favorite, was in front early but Pike began to apply pressure from the inside before finishing off the quarter-mile split in :22.74 on the sloppy and sealed track. Pike promptly put a length-and-a-half on Mediterranean Sea and Predator’s Ball together in second into the turn and was two lengths clear three furlongs out, finishing a half mile in 45.59. Golden Decree came up to challenge three-wide approaching the quarter pole but Pike kicked away again turning for home then stretched his lead in the stretch to finish in 1:25.11. Golden Decree was alone in second while Thom Thom came late to get third nearly nine lengths back. Mediterrean Ball and Jean Laffite followed in that order as Predator’s Ball pulled up and walked off.

Barjouj was scratched.

Pike paid $7.80 to win.

Bred in Florida by Tom McCrocklin of Ocala, Pike is by Stonehedge Farm South stallion Cajun Breeze out of Glitterama, by Rock Hard Ten. Pike has now earned $92,710 in his nine starts.

Return to the October 17 issue of Wire to Wire