McLain Ward (USA) continued to ride his recent wave of success Thursday at Deeridge Farms, piloting the swift 11-year-old Westphalian gelding Catoki to the top of the $36,600 CSI5* Suncast Welcome Stake, part of the Palm Beach Open CSI5*/CSI2*.
The duo topped a strong field of 44 competitors, jumping just past the halfway mark of the class and holding strong throughout the remaining entries. Their final time over Alan Wade’s (IRL) 1.45m speed track was 57.91 seconds. Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Volage du val Henry gave good chase to finish second on 59.00 seconds, with Ben Maher (GBR) and Tic Tac just behind them in third (59.29 seconds).
The win marked Ward’s third with the horse, who stands just 15.2 hands high, in international competition since acquiring the gelding last November. He considers the bay to be among the fastest horses he’s ever ridden.
“He doesn’t have the hugest stride, and the lines weren’t very long, so that helped a little bit. He’s just so naturally quick across the ground,” Ward said. “To be frank, you’re almost slowing down in a few places [so] that he doesn’t get away from you. He’s just naturally an incredibly fast horse.”
Ward, who has recorded three five-star grand prix victories since Feb. 8, will seek his fourth this week, as he brings back Noche de Ronda to Deeridge Farms for the first time since he and the mare topped the $213,300 CSIO5* Longines Grand Prix on Feb. 14.
“Ronda” will contest Friday’s $72,900 CSI5* Palm Beach Masters Qualifier, while Catoki will jump again in Friday’s $36,600 CSI5* NetJets Speed Challenge.
“It’s been a great start to the season. We have great horses and great people, and everybody’s been going really well,” Ward said. “Sometimes, especially down here in Florida, you get a little bit on a run, good or bad—I’ve been on both—and we’re just going to try to keep it going and stay focused and look at the next event.”
Kristen Vanderveen Makes a Winning Debut at Deeridge Farms in $10,000 CSI5* Palm Beach Masters Warm-up
Kristen Vanderveen (USA) rode Bull Run’s Divine Fortune to the first CSI5* victory of the week, coming away with the blue in the $10,000 CSI5* Palm Beach Masters Warm-up.
Vanderveen and her longtime mount entered the ring with purpose and carried a strong pace throughout Alan Wade’s (IRL) 1.40m track, which was contested in a two phases special format. They crossed the timers in an unbeatable 24.57 seconds—nearly two full seconds faster than the runners-up. Second-place honors went to Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Colestina H, who led for much of the class on a final time of 26.41 seconds, while Cormac Hanley (IRL) and Cora rounded out the top three (27.06 seconds).
“She does the best when you just keep going fast. It’s her little niche,” Vanderveen said. “My plan was to go fast from the beginning, and it seemed to work out.”
The victory marked Vanderveen’s first ever at the Palm Beach Masters Series®, as she makes her Deeridge Farms debut this week.
“I love it! This is a great start, but everyone has been very accommodating, and the ground feels great,” Vanderveen said. “My grand prix horse this year [Bull Run’s Risen] is good on the grass, and I’m excited to give it a try!”
Results: $36,600 CSI5* Suncast Welcome Stake
1- McLain Ward (USA), Catoki 0/57.91
2- Jessica Springsteen (USA), Volage du Val Henry 0/59.00
3- Ben Maher (GBR), Tic Tac 0/59.29
4- Emily Moffitt (GBR), Tipsy du Terral 0/62.01
5- Ashlee Bond (ISR), Lazy 0/62.59
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