Vitalogy wins Gr.3 Palm Beach Stakes

Vitalogy carried the Qatar Racing colours to victory in the Gr.3 Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.

Vitalogy, who began his career with Joseph O'Brien, winning a maiden at Naas and finishing fourth in the Gr.3 Acomb Stakes at York, made amends for two unlucky defeats in Graded races in the United States when winning the $150,000 Gr.3 Palm Beach Stakes over the extended mile at Gulfstream by a length.

Now trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Javier Castellano, the dark bay son of No Nay Never was soon close up from his wide draw and poured on the pressure rounding the final bend, ultimately justifying 9/4 favouritism without much fuss.

Regarding Vitalogy overcoming stall 12 of 12, Walsh said: "Javier is a master at that. He said the horse took him there today. He had him in a good spot all the way around."

It was Vitalogy's first start since finishing runner-up in the Gr.3 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland on October 6, having been scratched by veterinarians on the day of the race for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf due to a foot issue.

Vitalogy's dam also began her career in Europe, finishing second in the Listed Michael Seely Memorial Stakes for Ralph Beckett in 2011 before finishing fifth in the Gr.1 Just A Game Stakes at Belmont Park in 2012 for trainer Robert Barbara.

Qatar Racing shares ownership of Vitalogy with Marc Detampel and Bottle Rocket Stable. One of the main targets for the colt could be the Gr.1 Belmont Derby over a mile and a quarter in July, the race won by Aidan O'Brien's Deauville in 2016.