NEWS
Munnings, Kays and Jays prevail at Gulfstream
Posted: Saturday, February 13, 2010 7:48 PM
MUNNINGS
Coglianese Photos
To view the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship Stakes, click here.
by Ron Parker
Munnings, away from the races since his third-place finish to Kodiak Kowboy in the Vosburgh Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on October 3, made a successful return on Saturday as he drove to a hard-fought one-length victory in the $150,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship Stakes (G2).
Owned by the partnership of Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, the four-year-old Speightstown colt raced just behind front-runner Biker Boy through a half-mile in :46.22 in the seven-furlong race before jockey Javier Castellano urged him to a narrow lead in the lane. Fighting off several challengers, Munnings displayed grit and courage as he crossed the finish line in 1:22.49 on a track rated as fast.
“I was a little concerned that he might not be ready for his best as things didn’t go exactly as planned off the layoff, missing a prep in the Mr. Prospector [Stakes (G1) on January 9] when we scratched because of the wet track,” winning trainer Todd Pletcher said. “But he was good enough and classy enough to overcome it and win.”
In a blanket finish behind Munnings, Congressional Page took second, a nose ahead of Motovato, who broke slowly and finished a nose in front of Inkado.
The Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship was the third graded stakes victory for Munnings and fourth career win from 11 starts. Out of the unraced Holy Bull mare La Comete, he increased his bankroll to $707,240.
In the $125,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3), Zayat Stables’ Kays and Jays powered to the front turning for home and held off a determined bid by Tar Heel Mom to post a half-length victory. (video)
Warbling closed belatedly to take third, 1 ½ lengths behind Tar Heel Mom.
Kays and Jays completed the 6 ½-furlong race in 1:16.30 for trainer Mike Mitchell.
Favored at odds of 2.70-to-1, Kays and Jays tracked front-runner Dr. Zic through the first half-mile in :45.52 before taking command for her determined victory.
“I let [Dr. Zic] have the lead today and I was happy to sit second, following her around,” winning jockey Jose Lezcano said. “I waited as long as I could before asking my filly for one run, and when I did, she went right on by.”
Bred in Kentucky by Milan Kosanovich, the four-year-old Macho Uno filly, out of the Dixieland Band mare Lovin Spoonful, improved to five victories and earnings of $308,030 from 11 starts.
For Equibase charts, click here.
Ron Parker is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer
