Benny the Bull

2003, Lucky Lionel - Comet Cat, by Birdonthewire

Breeder: Tomoka Farms (Fl.)

Owner: IEAH Stables, Greg James, and Andrew Cohen

Trainer: Richard Dutrow Jr.

Regular Rider: Mark Guidry

Pedigree

Benny the Bull
Lucky Lionel
Comet Cat
Mt. Livermore
Crafty Nan
Birdonthewire
Granny's Kitty
Blushing Groom (FR)
Flama Ardiente
Crafty Prospector
Blake's Twin (GB)
Proud Birdie
Silk and Wrapper
Comet Kat
Sequel

Purchase Info

Private purchase.

Pedigree Highlights

Click on the highlighted sire name to go to the Thoroughbred Times Stallion Directory page for Lucky Lionel.

Race Record

AgeStarts1st2nd3rdEarnings 
35201$48,090
48311$420,460
54400$1,753,080

At 4: 1– Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash S. (G1), Iowa Sprint H., 2– Forego S. (G1)

At 5: 1– Gulf News Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), True North H. (G2), Smile Sprint H. (G2), Sunshine Millions Sprint S.

Last Start

Second in Forego S. (G1) on Sept. 1 at Saratoga

Contender Status

Benny the Bull was a productive allowance runner until then trainer Greg James decided to try him in the June 30 Iowa Sprint Handicap at Prairie Meadows, a decision that resulted in a half-length victory that earned Benny the Bull a trip to New York and the barn of trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.

After a good fourth place finish in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G2) on July 28 at Saratoga Race Course, the Lucky Lionel colt's first try in graded stakes competition, Dutrow decided to give him a shot in Saratoga's Forego Stakes (G1) on September 1.

Benny the Bull came from last in the ten-horse field to finish a closing second to Midnight Lute, only 2 1/4-lengths away from a Grade 1 victory. It was 9 1/4-lengths further back to third place finisher Attila's Storm.

"He ran big," Dutrow said. "I really wasn't expecting that."

Jockey Mark Guidry was equally impressed.

"He ran his heart out," Guidry said. "Dutrow had him in top form for this race. It seemed like Midnight Lute was too much to beat here. You can't discredit him for that."

Dutrow will now take the improving four-year-old to Monmouth Park for his sternest test yet, the TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) on October 27.

Recent Works

October 22 - Five furlongs handily in :58.80 at Monmouth Park, track fast. Best of 26 workouts at the distance.

October 16 - Five furlongs handily in 1:00.00 at Monmouth Park, track fast. Second best of 15 workouts at the distance.

October 9 - Five furlongs handily in 1:00.04 at Aqueduct, track fast. Best of two workouts at the distance.

September 27 - Five furlongs breezing in 1:00.46 at Aqueduct, track fast. Only workout at the distance.

September 21 - Five furlongs breezing in 1:02.88 at Aqueduct, track fast. Fifth best of five workouts at the distance.

September 15 - Five furlongs breezing in 1:02.31 at Aqueduct, track wet fast. Second best of three workouts at the distance.

Quotable

Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., who sent Benny the Bull to Monmouth Park early, on how the colt is progressing:

"He just loves it down there, just loves it. I shipped him down there about ten days ago and from what I'm told he breezed great. I don't like running at Monmouth because he's a deep closer, but we're going to have some fun and he might get a great trip and love it. We're all over it."