NEWS
Backtalk flashes late kick in Bashford Manor score
Posted: Friday, July 03, 2009 7:39 PM
BACKTALK
Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography
For video of the Bashford Manor Stakes, click here.
by Tim Nichols
Gold Mark Farm’s Backtalk willingly accelerated in the final furlong and scored a clear victory in the $110,500 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) on Friday at Churchill Downs.
Ridden by Miguel Mena for trainer Tom Amoss, Backtalk slightly brushed Grand Slam Andre in early stretch and then unleashed a powerful turn of foot to win the six-furlong race for two-year-olds by one length in 1:11.08 on a track rated fast.
Backed as the 4-to-5 favorite, Backtalk stumbled at the start as Soundman was rushed to the front and clipped off fractions of :21.98 for a quarter-mile and :45.84 for a half-mile.
Backtalk advanced to second in early stretch and uncoiled a powerful kick in the lane to win his second career start. Flatter Than Me finished second, 1½ lengths ahead of third-place finisher Brassy Boy while Soundman faded to fifth.
“Around the turn, I wasn’t so sure that he was into it,” Amoss said. “A lot of that is education and the fact that it was only his second start. When he got out of tight quarters and when he was in the clear you saw him spurt and I think that’s a real positive sign for the future and more distance.”
Backtalk lived up to the promise he showed on June 11 when he rallied from sixth to win a five-furlong maiden special weight race by 2¾ lengths at Churchill. Amoss said he will sit with the connections to discuss future plans for Backtalk.
With the win, Backtalk became the first United States-based stakes winner for 2004 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner and Central Kentucky-based sire Smarty Jones. La Equivocada won a stakes in Puerto Rico last year.
A half brother to multiple Grade 2 winner Bsharpsonata, Backtalk improved to two wins in as many starts and $90,095 in purse earnings. Bred in Florida by CloverLeaf Farms II, Backtalk is out of the stakes-winning Affirmed mare Apasionata Sonata.
For Equibase chart, click here.
For video of the Bashford Manor Stakes, click here.
Tim Nichols is internet content editor for THOROUGHBRED TIMES
