G1 Winner Roadster Gets First Winner with First Starter

One couldn't ask for a better start to a stallion career then the one Ocala Stud's Roadster received when his first two sons to enter the starting gate completed the exacta in the second race at Gulfstream Park April 19. Not only did Daniel Alonso's Ford Roadster and Arindel's Strike finish 1-2, but they were always in those leading roles while battling with each other throughout the 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight. With Yolber Torres aboard at odds of 11-1, it was Ford Roadster who would emerge victorious over odds-on favorite Strike by a half-length for trainer Ramon Minguet in :52.77. A Florida-bred gelding, Ford Roadster is out of the winning Corfu mare She Nailed It. On the racetrack, Roadster was among the leading candidates for the 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1) after an impressive stretch kick carried him to victory in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) over Game Winner and Instagrand for Speedway Stables and Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. He also earned graded placings in the 2018 Del Mar Futurity (G1), 2019 Malibu Stakes (G1), 2019 Affirmed Stakes (G3), and 2020 San Carlos Stakes (G2). He completed his career in the barn of trainer Michael Stidham with a record of 3-4-2 from 16 starts for earnings of $901,500. The son of Quality Road stands at Ocala Stud in 2026 for a $7,500 fee.