The change of venue might well have played to Bourbon Bay’s strengths, for he
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“After the mile and a quarter race (the Clement Hirsch), he became sick,”
Drysdale said of Bourbon Bay. “We don’t know why or what made him ill, but it
took him quite a long time to recover. So that’s where he’s been.”
Well placed in fourth early by Rafael Bejarano, Bourbon Bay raced roughly
three lengths off the pace set by stablemate Marlang (Langfuhr) through splits
of :23 4/5 and :47 4/5. Champ Pegasus stalked in second, while longshot
Imponente Purse (Brz) (Public Purse) raced virtually in tandem with Bourbon Bay
on his outside. Bourbon Bay worked his way into third through six furlongs in
1:11 4/5, but was still some way behind the free-wheeling Marlang.
On the far turn, Champ Pegasus took over from Marlang, clocked 1:35 4/5 for
the mile, and edged away into the stretch. Bourbon Bay was just warming to his
task, though, and loomed dangerously on the outside. For a few strides, it was
unclear whether the marathoner would have the same kick at 1 1/4 miles, but the
issue was soon settled in his favor. Bourbon Bay delivered a sharper turn of
foot to pull away, stopping the teletimer in 2:00 on the firm course. The nearly
3-1 second choice in the 11-horse field returned $7.80, $3.80 and $3 while
keying the $1 exotics — $10.60 exacta, $38.30 trifecta and $794.70 superfecta
(6-11-10-2).
“I was pretty comfortable the whole way, and I was in a great position,”
Bejarano noted. “When I saw number 5 (Marlang) get sent a little bit I decided
to follow him. I knew the number 5 (Marlang) was a very tough horse, that’s why
I had to keep my horse close to him and make one big run in the last furlong.
When I saw the favorite (Champ Pegasus) was let go from the three-eighths I
thought that he (Joel Rosario) didn’t have as much horse as I had. As soon as I
got the opportunity, I tried to get the first jump in the stretch and just let
my horse go. My horse ran a really good race.”
Champ Pegasus yielded $2.80 and $2.40 for finishing 1 1/4 lengths ahead of
Sebastian Flyte (GB) (Observatory), the 4-1 third choice, who rallied for third
and paid $3.60.
“He just ran out of training at the eighth-pole,” quipped Richard Mandella,
the trainer of Champ Pegasus.
The 59-1 Imponente Purse ended the superfecta and was followed home by
Unusual Suspect (Unusual Heat), Riviera Cocktail (Giant’s Causeway), Where’s the
Remote (Unbridled Native), Philatelist (Rahy), Marlang, Expansion (Maria’s Mon)
and Buenos Dias (Ire) (Peintre Celebre).
Bourbon Bay’s scorecard now reads 15-6-2-3, $510,384. He finished second in the 2008 Cradle S. as a juvenile for
former trainer Lowell Stevens, then was privately purchased and transferred to Drysdale.
The bay dead-heated for third in the Generous S. (G3) in his second start for
his new barn, and next time out rallied for fourth in the 2009 Sham S. (G3) on
the Pro-Ride. Bourbon Bay was subsequently sidelined for almost seven months,
and took a few starts to round into his best form.
Part of his turnaround involved a step up in trip to 1 1/2 grassy miles. A 3
1/2-length allowance/optional claming winner at Santa Anita in his first try at
the distance, Bourbon Bay proceeded to win four straight — dominating 4
1/4-length victory in the San Luis Obispo, a 2 1/2-length win
in the San Luis Rey and a gallant half-length decision in the about 1 3/4-mile
San Juan Capistrano. The San Marcos was his first score at 1 1/4 miles.
Bred by Adena Springs in Kentucky, Bourbon Bay was a bargain $1,700 Keeneland
September yearling purchase. He is a half-brother to Ginger Brew (Milwaukee
Brew), Canada’s champion three-year-old filly of 2008, as well as stakes victor
Booyah (Running Stag) and a yearling colt named Distinguished Okie (Milwaukee Brew). All were produced by
the winning Conquistador Cielo mare Coral Necklace, who comes from the family of
Illinois Derby (G2) winner and Belmont S. (G1) runner-up Vision and Verse (Storm
Cat).
Bourbon Bay’s fourth dam is Bebopper (Tom Fool), the dam of multiple Grade 1
star Hatchet Man (The Axe II) and brilliant Grade 2 hero Stop the Music (Hail to
Reason), both noted sires. Also descending from this line is champion
three-year-old filly Yanks Music (Air Forbes One), successful in the 1996
Alabama S. (G1), Mother Goose S. (G1), Beldame S. (G1) and Ruffian H. (G1).