Ambitious Brew runs himself into Kilroe consideration with Sensational Star win

Ambitious Brew runs himself into Kilroe consideration with
Sensational Star win

Ambitious Brew could have the Kilroe Mile on his radar now (Benoit Photos) Pamela C. Ziebarth’s homebred Ambitious Brew got a perfect stalking trip from jockey Brice Blancand to upset favored Lakerville in Saturday’s $100,250 Sensational Star by 1 1/2 lengths, covering about 6 1/2 furlongs down Santa Anita’s firm hillside turf course in 1:12. The 4-5 favorite in a field of six older horses bred in California, Lakerville and jockey Gary Stevens finished second, a half-length in front of Summer Hit. Ambitious Brew sat third early, stalking pacesetting longshot Coach Bob and Summer Hit through fractions of :22, :44 1/5 and 1:06 1/5 before hitting the front three-wide a furlong out. “(Regular rider) Mike (Smith) was out of town (at Fair Grounds) today and I worked him the other morning,” Blanc said. “I talked to Mike a little about the horse, I watched the replays and it seemed pretty straight forward. He has plenty of tactical speed and this race looked like it had a few speed horses in it.

“My plan was to track and Marty told me he has a really nice turn of foot. He
told me not to worry and that when it was time to go, he would go for me, which
he did.”

A four-year-old Tizbud gelding trained by Marty Jones,
Ambitious Brewpaid $8 for the win as the 3-1 second choice. With the winner’s share of
$60,000, he increased his earnings to $227,920 and improved his career mark to
7-4-3-0.

“I don’t think he could have been any more impressive in my
eyes, the way he ran,” Jones remarked. “He’s 110 percent race horse. I think he will
go further. It might be time to try it.

“I was going to walk down there (to the
Racing Office) and nominate him to the (Grade 1, $300,000 Frank E.) Kilroe (Mile on
March 8) if he cools out all right. We’ll keep all our options open.”

Lakerville, who came off an authoritative win down the hill
in the January 26 Clockers’ Corner, sat fifth down the hill, swung wide
turning for home and appeared to have dead aim on the winner but was outrun
through the drive, finishing second, a half-length in front of Summer Hit.

“I left him too much to do,” Stevens stated. “They weren’t
going that fast for those kind of horses. Brice got the jump on me and we
couldn’t overcome it. I just kinda tactically beat myself.”

Summer Hit sat a close second throughout and couldn’t hold off Lakerville for the
place. He finished 4 1/2 lengths in front of Coach Bob, who in turn was a neck
up on Ain’t No Other while Kate’s Event finished another neck behind in last.

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