Published : Jan. 28, 2013 - 19:32
Michael Phelps
HALLENDALE BEACH, Florida (AP) ― Cerro, a 3-year-old colt partly owned by 18-time Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps, won the $54,500 third race at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.
Phelps and his former coach, Bob Bowman, share an ownership interest in the Ireland-bred colt, which runs in the colors of Team Valor International. Cerro is trained by Graham Motion, who oversaw 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom for Team Valor.
Cerro ran 1 1/8 miles (1,800 meters) in 1:50.29, winning by 2 1/2 lengths. He paid $6, $3 and $2.40.
Phelps, who retired after the London Olympics, became interested in horse racing through Bowman, who has bred and owned thoroughbreds and is a friend of Motion. Phelps visited Motion’s stable in Elkton, Maryland, in December.
Phelps and Bowman weren’t on hand to see Cerro win on Saturday, although they were at Gulfstream to see the colt finish third in a race on Jan. 1.
“We are really excited to be part of Cerro’s partnership and see what he can do as he moves along this spring,” Bowman said.