NYRA/Coglianese Photo

World of Trouble makes the grade in G1 Carter

by Keith McCalmont

World of Trouble, with Aqueduct's leading rider Manny Franco up, prevailed in a stirring stretch duel to capture his first graded stakes win in Saturday's Grade 1, $400,000 Carter Handicap.

Trained by Jason Servis for owners Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Bethlehem Stables, World of Trouble streaked into the seven-furlong test over the Aqueduct main track from wins in the off-the-turf Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint and FTBOA Marion County Florida Sire Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

"What can I say? He's a running son of a gun. He makes me look good," said Servis. "If I had a mare I would breed to him and the fact that he can do dirt and turf, I think we might go back to the turf. It would add some flavor to him as a stallion and then maybe back to the dirt, so we'll see."

Breaking from the outside post in a field of seven following the scratch of Timber Ghost, World of Trouble stalked the early pace of Skyler's Scramjet who drifted well off the rail down the backstretch through an opening quarter-mile in 23.61 seconds.

Honor Up surged inside of rivals into the turn for a short-lived lead as Skyler's Scramjet continued to press the pace with World of Trouble stalking comfortably through a half-mile in 46.71.

The trio continued their battle at the head of the lane with World of Trouble traveling widest of all but always finding more en route to a half-length win. He completed seven furlongs in 1:23.28 over a main track labeled fast.

Franco said sorting out a patient trip was paramount for a winning effort.

"Jason told me to break out of there and see how it developed, because we knew the 5-horse [Skyler's Scramjet] was going to go," said Franco. "We wanted to sit right off, and it worked out great. He can be sensitive, so I didn't want to get on him, and I think that was the key. I let him relax, and when I asked him to go, he was there for me."

Skyler's Scramjet stayed on gamely for place, 1 ¼ lengths in front of fellow Michelle Nevin-trainee Honor Up. Vino Rosso, Life in Shambles, Sir Ballantine and Identity Politics completed the order of finish.

"They both ran huge. I couldn't be happier with them," said Nevin. "They got good rides from both jockeys and gave a phenomenal effort. We'll certainly move forward from here."

World of Trouble, bred in Florida by Darsan Inc, banked $220,000 in victory while improving his record to 7-2-1 from 11 starts. The 4-year-old Kantharos bay, who finished second in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs in November, paid $3.70 to win as the 3-5 mutuel favorite.