Patriot Spirit turned in a sparkling performance in winning the $50,000 Inaugural S. Dec. 2 at Tampa Bay Downs, giving his connections hope that the 2-year-old Constitution colt can take them on to much loftier goals in 2024.
Patriot Spirit was the odds-on favorite in the six-furlong Inaugural, and ran to his backers’ expectations. Breaking from the outside post in the field of eight, he was four-wide just a lengths from the lead on the backstretch. Going into the turn, Patriot Spirit made a swift move to poke his head in front in just a few strides. After relaxing just a bit, he spurted away from the field at the top of the stretch and won by two lengths under a hand ride.
The final time on a fast track was 1:10. 26.
“This horse is so talented,” said Michael Campbell, who trains Patriot Spirit for owner George Mellon’s Mellon Patch, Inc. “I asked (jockey Samy Camacho) to describe him in one word after the race, and he said ‘Amazing.’ I always thought from the moment I bought him (for Mellon for $235,000) he’ll take me to Kentucky and I think he will, but time will tell.”
Bred in Kentucky by Blue Heaven Farm, Patriot Spirit is out of Grade 1 winner Mistical Plan.
Patriot Spirit is one of a dozen stakes winners this year for Constitution, the most for any Fifth-Crop sire of 2023. His victory pushed Constitution’s 2023 progeny earnings over the $10 million mark.
