Implementation Checks One Off Bucket List in Smile Sprint

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Ken Ramsey’s Implementation brought an impressive resume into Saturday’s $75,000 Smile Sprint at Gulfstream Park, having established himself as a multiple graded stakes-placed stakes winner who has won on turf, dirt and all-weather surfaces.

Yet, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. was asking the 6-year-old gelding to do something he has never done before in the six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up – win a six-furlong race.

Implementation, who had only run twice at six furlongs on dirt in his 25 previous races, checked another career achievement of his bucket list with a thoroughly professional two-length victory under Edgard Zayas. Over a muddy, sealed track.

“That was actually my only worry,” Zayas said. “He had a couple months off, and he was nice and fresh. I think that was why he broke so sharp. It worked out good.”

Implementation, a drop-back, late-running son of Constitution, broke cleanly from his rail post position and advanced along the rail to track front-running Air Combat, who set fractions of 22.30 and 44.60 seconds for the first half-mile. Zayas eased his veteran mount off the rail entering the stretch, and Implementation went on to overtake a tiring Air Combat and easily withstand a rail challenge from El Principito to win with authority.

“The plan was to let him break out of there and let him get into his own comfortable stride. I didn’t expect him to be so close,” Zayas said. “I just let him do his thing. I think he’s a much better horse than this field and he showed it.”

Implementation ($6.40) ran six furlongs in 1:09.95 to prevail over Principito, who was slightly favored at 2-1. Shaq Diesel, who captured the seven-furlong Big Drama by four lengths last time out, closed mildly to finish third, another 1 ½ lengths back.

Implementation ran his career earnings over $590,000 with his eighth career victory.