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Sunriver delivers a strike in Bowling Green
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Sunriver proved his liking for the turf once more on Sunday
(Ross Woodson/Horsephotos.com) |
Aaron and Marie Jones' homebred SUNRIVER (Saint Ballado) kicked clear turning
for home and was never challenged to the wire in posting a 1 1/4-length win in
Sunday's $150,000
Bowling Green H. (G2) over Belmont
Park's firm inner turf.
Taking the lead out of the gate under Garrett Gomez, the Todd Pletcher charge
was tracked early by Fishy Advice (Woodman) through splits of :24 2/5, :49, 1:12
4/5 and 1:36 3/5 for the opening mile, prior to leaving that one behind on the
final turn. The final time for the 1 3/8 miles was 2:12 3/5, and the 2-1 second
choice paid $6.20, $4.80 and $3.80.
Trippi's Storm (Trippi) saved ground until the straightaway and closed with
excellent energy in the lane to finish 5 1/4 lengths clear of his nearest
pursuer in second. The nearly 12-1 shot paid $11.40 and $5.70 and completed the
$57 exacta. Silver Whistle (Alphabet Soup) was in contention throughout but
never threatened the top pair, settling for third at 8-1. Show was worth $4.20
and the 3-1-7 trifecta gave back $303. Shakis (Ire) (Machiavellian), the 6-5 favorite,
rated well in midpack early but never fired in the lane. Fishy Advice was next
and trailed by Interpatation (Langfuhr), Dreadnaught (Lac Ouimet) and
Barastraight (GB) (Barathea [Ire]).
Sunriver remained unbeaten from two career turf tries, capturing an allowance/optional
claiming
prep by 4 1/2 lengths in June. The dark bay triumphed in the 2006 Peter Pan S.
(G2), while placing in the Florida Derby (G1) and Belmont S. (G1). His career
line reads 13-5-2-3, $526,400.
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The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State and produced from stakes-winning
Goulash (Mari's Book), who is also responsible for two-time champion Ashado
(Saint Ballado), a seven-time Grade 1 winner who banked just shy of $4 million
in her career, 2006 Native Diver H. (G3) hero Saint Stephen (Saint Ballado), as well
as the stakes-placed Storm Creek Rising (Storm Creek) and Ballado's Halo (Saint
Ballado). Goulash, who is a half-sister to Mint Julep H. (G3) heroine Quite A Bride
(Stormy Atlantic), also has produced an unnamed two-year-old colt by Unbridled's
Song and an unnamed yearling filly by Forestry.
Pletcher indicated that the August 11 Arlington Million (G1) will be
Sunriver's next target.
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