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Benny reigns supreme in Smile

Benny was all Smiles on Saturday (Jim Lisa Photos) IEAH Stables et al's BENNY THE BULL (Lucky Lionel) capitalized on the pressured early pace in Saturday's $400,000 Smile Sprint H. (G2) at Calder, and the Richard Dutrow trainee rolled home late to register a two-length win. Strolling in next-to-last position for the opening quarter-mile, and having just two horses beaten after the opening half-mile was recorded in :45 3/5, the 124 pounds highweight began to find his best stride approaching the final turn under Edgar Prado and took over inside the final furlong. The 6-5 favorite finished off six furlongs in 1:11 2/5 and rewarded his backers with mutuels of $4.60, $3.40 and $2.10. "He impresses me every time I ride him," Prado said. How's Your Halo (Halo's Image) saved ground early and rallied with good energy in the lane to finish a length clear in the second spot at 50-1, completing the $126.60 exacta and paying $32.20 and $9.60. Rockerfeller (Maria's Mon) was well-positioned while wide early, moved into striking range entering the stretch and finished well to gain the show, worth $3. The 3-1 second choice capped the $351 trifecta. Ravalo (Mutakddim), who attended the pace throughout, tired in the lane and could do no better than fourth at 12-1. The superfecta (8-2-9-6) was good for $1,776.80. Blue Pepsi Lodge (Pioneering), who led at the top of the lane, was next and followed by Indian Chant (Suggest), Finallymadeit (Concerto), Winnies Tigger Too (Wheaton) and early leader Man of Danger (Tiger Ridge).

The Smile was the fourth win in as many starts this campaign for Benny the Bull. He captured the Sunshine Millions Sprint by 4 1/2 commanding lengths in his five-year-old debut, and then captured the Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) down the Nad al Sheba straightaway by 1 3/4 lengths. Last out, the dark bay got up by a neck to take the True North H. (G2) on Belmont Day.

Owned in a partnership that also includes James Cohen, Pegasus Holdings Group Stables and Sanford Robbins, Benny the Bull improved his record to 17-9-1-2 with earnings of $2,221,630.

After his first stakes victory in the Iowa Sprint H. last June, a major interest in Benny the Bull was acquired by IEAH Stables, and he was transferred to Dutrow. The dark bay then posted three solid efforts, finishing fourth in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G2), second in the Forego S. (G1) and fourth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), but he has blossomed ever since then. Benny the Bull was an emphatic winner of the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash S. (G1) last November.

Bred by Tomoka Farms in Florida, Benny the Bull was originally purchased for $38,000 at the 2004 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The first registered foal from stakes heroine Comet Cat (Birdonthewire), he has an unnamed juvenile half-brother by Broken Vow. This is the family of Blue Finn (Empery), Canada's champion two-year-old colt in 1986, and Grade 3-winning millionaire Maysville Slew (Slew City Slew). Benny the Bull's fourth dam, Consequential (Dr. Fager), is a three-quarter sister to Killaloe (Dr. Fager), the dam of 1981 Metropolitan H. (G1) hero and outstanding sire Fappiano (Mr. Prospector).

Benny the Bull, according to his connections, could show up for the Forego S. (G1) at Saratoga, a race he finished second in last campaign.

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