By Dick Downey

Thunder Moccasin added to Todd Pletcher's 3,000+ wins today in a dominating performance winning the Grade II Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Il Villano took the early lead through fractions of :23.34 for the first quarter-mile and :46.89 for the half. Thunder Moccasin was never far behind and responded to John Velazquez's call midway through the turn. By the time they straightened out for home, Thunder Moccasin was in control. He wasn't challenged the rest of the way.

After getting off to a slow start, Quick Wit moved up a couple of lengths in the backstretch made a belated move to challenge for the place but was held safe by Il Villano.

Thunder Moccasin prevailed by 6 3/4 lengths, with Quick Wit another one-half length back. Wildcat Creek and Tarpy's Goal rounded out the order of finish in the field of five. Ever So Lucky was scratched this morning.

The winning time was 1:24.16 on a drying-out track rated good. Thunder Moccasin paid $2.40, $2.20 and $2.10.

It was the second career start for Thunder Moccasin, a move that Pletcher deemed "ambitious" before the race. Thunder Moccasin broke his maiden at Gulfstream in a Dec. 24 maiden special weight.

Pletcher has said he and owner Starlight Stable may keep Thunder Moccasin to one turn. The Grade II Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park in four weeks would be a logical next target for Thunder Moccasin.

The winner is a son of A.P. Warrior bred in Kentucky by Stonewall Farm Stallions LLC. He's out of the Storm Cat mare One Stormy Mama. He was bought by Starlight for $95,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July 2010 sale.

Pletcher won his 3,000th career race earlier on the Gulfstream card when Spring Hill Farm won an allowance race.

Equibase chart

CONNECTIONS QUOTES

Todd Pletcher: “He’s a very talented colt. His first race was so impressive with the move he made we thought we’d take a shot and go right into the Hutcheson. The race came up just the way we talked about where we sat just off the five (Il Villano), a horse with more seasoning, and he handled it beautifully. If he comes back all right, the logical spot next would be the Swale. Right now, my inclination is that he’ll be best staying in one-turn races.”

John Velazquez: “He broke half a step slow, but it worked out perfectly because I was able to get great position outside of the other speed. I wanted to make a quick move on the turn to try to surprise the other horse, and it worked. He runs so hard every step of the way.”

Elvis Trujillo (Il Villano): “He ran well. The other horse just went by me in hand.”

Dale Romans (trainer Quick Wit and Tarpy’s Goal)): “(Quick Wit) looked good. He just got shuffled back a little early but I thought he ran well. (Tarpy’s Goal) didn’t run very good today. He looked like he was a little flat.”