Thunder Moccasin thrust himself squarely into the Triple Crown picture on Feb. 11 with an overpowering victory under John Velazquez as the 1/5 favorite in the Gr. II Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Todd Pletcher's 3-year-old colt by A. P. Warrior cruised along in second behind Il Vilano in the 7-furlong test, then sprinted into the lead in the stretch and coasted home in 1:24.16, crossing under the wire by nearly seven lengths.

Thunder Moccasin, now a perfect 2-for-2, earned $90,000 for his effort and boosted his total to $114,300. If Pletcher elects to keep the colt in Florida, there are three races for sophomores left on the Gulfstream schedule, the Gr. II Fountain of Youth at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 26, the Gr. II, 7-furlong Swale on March 10, and the $1 million, Gr. I Florida Derby on March 31.  

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