NEWS
Proudinsky scores workmanlike San Gabriel win
Posted: Sunday, December 28, 2008 7:23 PM
PROUDINSKY (GER)
Benoit & Associates photo
by Tim Nichols
Multiple graded stakes winner Proudinsky (Ger) had no problems navigating through traffic in midstretch as he powered to a three-quarter-length victory in the $150,000 San Gabriel Handicap (G2) on Sunday at Santa Anita Park.
The five-year-old Silvano (Ger) horse covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.39 on firm turf as the 13-to-10 favorite for Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel.
“He had a really good trip and got through when he needed to,” Frankel said. “He did his job. He’s a nice, honest horse, not a top-class horse but a nice Group 2 horse.”
Proudinsky, who finished second to Daytona (Ire) in last year’s edition of the race, was kept under a tight hold by jockey Rafael Bejarano and tracked from second then third as Porfido (Chi) assumed the role of pacesetter.
Porfido clipped off leisurely fractions of :23.86, :48.57, and 1:12.65 through six furlongs as Proudinsky was positioned in fourth.
With the field of seven bunched within four lengths of each other in early stretch, Proudinsky accelerated through the traffic to emerge as the leader.
“We were behind all the speed and we were going really slow, so he was dragging me along,” Bejarano said. “We needed room at the top of the stretch and the four horse [Silent Soul] was trying to keep me in, but we got through.”
Ferneley (Ire) finished second, one length ahead of third-place finisher Medici Code (GB).
Owned by Johnanna Louise Glen-Teven, Proudinsky snapped a six-race winless skid since capturing the Mervin Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap (G2) on March 8 at Fair Grounds. Out of the Dashing Blade mare Proudeyes (Ger), he has won five of 17 career starts while earning $790,377.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Tim Nichols is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY assistant editor
