Ribo Bobo could be joined in Sunshine Millions by
stablemate Tightend Touchdown
Trainer Jason Servis may have a pair of contenders for
owner Mr. Amore Stable in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint, which will be
run at Gulfstream Park in six weeks on January 18.
Ribo Bobo collected his 10th win from 11 starts this year
in Saturday’s Claiming Crown Express and Servis immediately listed the Sunshine
Millions as the five-year-old’s next target.
“He came out of it well,” Servis said.
The Florida-bred son of Louis Quatorze essentially trains
himself, according to Servis.
“I don’t do much with him — I just try to stay out of his
way,” the conditioner quipped. “He eats lots of dandelions, I can tell you
that.”
Ribo Bobo has come a long way since being claimed for
$6,250 last March at Gulfstream, winning a pair of added-money events prior to
his Claiming Crown success. He may be joined in the Sunshine Millions sprint by
stablemate Tightend Touchdown, who has also ascended the class ladder since
being haltered for $35,000 last winter at Aqueduct.
Bred in Florida by Laurie
and Chad Stewart, the chestnut has become a first-rate sprinter on the grass. In
his most recent appearance, the four-year-old outran his 18-1 odds to dead-heat for
second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita on
November 2.
Servis was pleased with the way his charge handled the unique
configuration of that about 6 1/2-furlong test.
“I was concerned with the downhill, because they say it’s a
course for a horse,” Servis explained. “But he was in good flesh and I thought
he’d run his race.”
While Tightend Touchdown has clearly shown his prowess on
the turf, Servis feels the gelding has made overall progression.
“I think he’s more of a grass horse, but there are not that
many options around other than a stakes at Gulfstream in February (the $75,000
Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint on February 1), so maybe this would be a good
opportunity to try him on the dirt,” Servis mused. “It looks like he has turned
a corner and might just be a better horse than last year.”
Tightend Touchdown has been freshened up since his
Breeders’ Cup effort, but Servis feels the Mr. Amore colorbearer will come to
hand quickly.
“I’ve got plenty of time to get him ready for the Sunshine
Millions,” Servis concluded. “I might breeze him in about three weeks.”
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com