December 22, 2024

Mohaymen, Sunny Ridge win Kentucky Derby preps

Last updated: 1/30/16 7:28 PM




Mohaymen remained perfect in four starts with a comfortable, 3 1/2-length
victory in the $350,000 Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday
. The
3-10 favorite in a field of six, Shadwell Stable’s budding star won geared down
and was awarded 10 qualifying points toward Kentucky Derby (G1) eligibility.
Champagne (G1) winner Greenpointcrusader finished second.

Earlier in the day,

Awesome Banner ran his record to three wins in as many starts with another
blowout score, this time a five-length romp in the seven-furlong Swale (G2)
.

Also at Gulfstream on Saturday,

Cathryn Sophia ran her mark to a perfect three-for-three and joined the Kentucky
Oaks (G1) leaderboard all at the same time with a win in the Forward Gal S. (G2)
,
while

Priced to Perfection and J R’s Holiday prevailed in the Sweetest Chant S. (G3)
and Kitten’s Joy S.
, the track’s $100,000 turf stakes on the undercard.



Sunny Ridge, a New Jersey-bred gelding by Holy Bull, enhanced his Kentucky Derby
credentials
, outfinishing Vorticity to win Saturday’s Withers (G3) at
Aqueduct.

Making his graded stakes debut at age 5,

Sassacia took advantage of Saturday’s Toboggan (G3) being rescheduled
from
last weekend, rallying furiously to win the 6-furlong race at Aqueduct.


In others news on Saturday,

Nyquist clocked three-quarters in 1:16.20 at Santa Anita Park for the San
Vicente S. (G2)
while

Discreetness worked a bullet five furlongs in 1:00.40 at Oaklawn Park to ready
for that track’s Southwest S. (G3)
. Also,

Smart Call easily beat the boys in South Africa’s celebrated J & B Metropolitan
(SAf-G1) at Kenilworth on Saturday and could show up at the Breeders’ Cup later
this year
.