Pulsion needs a cleaner trip

Mike Welsch,
Daily Racing Form

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The 3-year-old Pulsion remains a work in progress for trainer Patrick Biancone. The job would be a lot easier if only Pulsion could make it through the opening quarter-mile of his races without finding any trouble.

Pulsion was eliminated and suffered some scrapes and bruises entering the first turn of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, then encountered similar trouble when making his 3-year-old debut here at Gulfstream Park in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth. Biancone hopes for a cleaner trip when Pulsion faces his next important test in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 20.

Biancone sent Pulsion out to work five furlongs in 1:01.15 on another cool, crisp morning here Monday. Breaking off just behind stablemate Grand Captain, Pulsion posted an opening quarter-mile split of 24.07 seconds into a fairly brisk headwind and a half in 48.18 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:15.40.

When asked about Pulsion's performance in the 1 1/8-mile Fountain of Youth, Biancone said: "I knew on the first turn it was over. It was a good move to get behind the favorite going into the turn and a wrong decision when the favorite crashed on the turn."

Biancone was referring to Buddy's Saint, who took up sharply after attempting to rush up inside Aikenite on the opening turn in the Fountain of Youth. Jockey Mike Smith had to steady Pulsion briefly in behind Buddy's Saint, dropping back near the rear of the pack. From there, he finished sixth, more than a dozen lengths behind the winner, Eskendereya.

"He's a big baby and difficult to motivate in the morning," said Biancone. "But he's also still growing and learning."