H & H Ranch’s ABSENT FRIEND (Runaway Groom) sat near the
back of the pack under jockey Roman Chapa before engaging the pacesetting Mauk
Four (Boston Harbor) in deep stretch and going on to win the $100,000
Essex H. (G3) by a half-length at Oaklawn Park
Saturday. Mauk Four looked like he would be the eventual winner
after he shook off Discreet Hero (Honour and Glory) and Crowned King (Barkerville)
following a breakaway duel with the former. Opening a three-length lead around
the second turn, Mauk Four’s lead dwindled to the hard-charging
Absent Friend, who won the 1 1/16-mile contest on a
wet-fast track in 1:43 3/5.
The Cole Norman trainee paid $12.60, $7.20 and $4.60 as the 5-1 third
favorite, leading exotics of $166.20 (exacta) and $982.20 (3-1-6 trifecta). Mauk Four returned $12 and $5.80 while 3-1 favorite
Separato (Victory Gallop) came another 4 1/2 lengths back in third to give $4.20.
River Mountain Rd (Deputy Commander) was just a head shy of landing on the
board and followed by Crowned King, Arbitrate (Deputy Minister), Saintly Look (Saint Ballado), Wally’s Choice (Quick Cut), Northern Scene (Northern Baby) and
Discreet Hero.
Absent Friend was making his graded debut here and picked up his first win
since switching to Norman’s barn. His record improved to 17-6-0-3 with earnings of $203,632. The
gray five-year-old was bred in Kentucky by Palides Investments N.V. Inc. and is out of Fitnah (Fit to Fight), who has also produced Grade 1 winner and
1999 Kentucky Oaks
(G1) runner-up Dreams Gallore (Silver Ghost), Grade 3 winner Fateful Dream
(Distant View) and an unnamed yearling colt
by Giant’s Causeway. Absent Friend was purchased for $340,000 at the 2001 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.