Turin, IT — Sunday’s (April 6) three major races in Turin were all won by horses trained by Alessandro Gocciadoro. Gocciadoro himself drove the winners in the Derby del 4 Anni races, while Gabriele Gelormini secured victory in the Gran Premio Costa Azzurra—resulting in a double triumph for the stable.
It’s indisputable that Face Time Bourbon is successfully stepping into the legacy of his sire, Ready Cash.
Both of Gocciadoro’s winners, the mare Funny Gio and the stallion First of Mind, are sired by Face Time Bourbon.
Funny Gio won convincingly in 1:55.4f ahead of stablemate Fantastic Gio, who is also sired by Face Time Bourbon.
In the colt division, Gocciadoro drove First of Mind, for whom he had to work hard to take the lead—finally succeeding with 1000 meters to go.
Entering the final stretch, Funky Roc (Nad al Sheba), driven by Filippo Nad Al Rocca, launched an attack, but First of Mind managed to fend it off and secured a safe victory in 1:56.2f.
Both Derby del 4 Anni races carried a purse for the winner of €83,720.
In the Gran Premio Costa Azzurra, Alessandro Gocciadoro drove Vernissage Grif (Varenne), taking the lead after 600 meters.
The pair overtook stablemate Danny Capar (Exploit Caf), but when Danny Capar found an opening at the final turn, Vernissage Grif had no response.
Danny Capar seemed headed for a secure victory, but Always Ek (Filipp Roc), with Magnus A. Djuse in the sulky, appeared in rocket-like fashion on the outside lane. Danny Capar held on to win in 1:54f.
The purse for the winner was €92,000.