NEWS
SPRINT ANALYSIS 9/7:
Just in time for Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Here Comes Ben
Posted: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 5:55 PM
by Frank Angst
After posting an upset victory in the Forego Stakes (G1) on September 4 at Saratoga Race Course, suddenly Here Comes Ben appears to be one of the hottest sprinters in the country.
Marianne and Brandon Chase’s Street Cry (Ire) colt rallied from seventh to win the seven-furlong Forego by three-quarters-of-a-length at odds of 9.90-to-1. Big Drama finished second, 1 ½ lengths in front of third-place finisher Vineyard Haven, who in an entry with Girolamo was sent off as the even-money favorite.
While Here Comes Ben was a bit unproven in the division going into the race, he certainly looks like a solid Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) contender now. The victory extended his perfect 2010 season to four wins with two stakes victories.
The connections for Here Comes Ben include trainer Charles Lopresti, who secured his first Grade 1 win in the Forego; and regular rider Alex Solis, who suddenly appears poised for a return to Churchill Downs for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Solis won the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Churchill on Kona Gold. Lopresti has not determined Here Comes Ben’s next start.
“We’ll bring him back to Keeneland [Race Course] and evaluate,” Lopresti said. “The Breeders’ Cup is our goal.”
Here Comes Ben has fared well at Churchill, registering four wins and two other placings in six career starts there. He opened 2010 with an allowance race victory on April 11 at Keeneland before taking an allowance-optional claiming race on May 21 at Churchill. He entered the Forego off a narrow victory in the Kelly’s Landing Stakes on June 25 at Churchill.
Rick Mettee, assistant to trainer Saeed bin Suroor, said Girolamo tired in the final furlong but he had no explanation for Vineyard Haven’s performance. He believes both can improve off the race.
“With Vineyard Haven, we’re a little disappointed in him,” said Mettee. “He didn’t exactly pull the trip we expected, being down along the inside. In the end, being third, beaten 2 ¼ lengths, is not a bad race, given the competition.”
Mettee said next-race plans for both horses are being determined.
Frank Angst is a Thoroughbred Times senior staff writer
