11
Sep
Sep
Bona Stables at Belmont’s Fall Meet
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The 143rd Saratoga meet is history and the New York Racing Association is busy organizing its priorities for more than $25 million in track improvements over the next several years. These include townhouse style dormitories for stable workers, a new three-story luxury box suites and restaurants on the clubhouse turn, improved jockey quarters, silks room and viewing areas and an expanded backyard picnic area with modern amenities.
While these plans continue under development, racing has shifted to Belmont Park and its highly competitive fall meet which runs through Oct. 30.
Bona Venture Stables had a successful meet at Saratoga, recording a win, a second and two third place finishes in only eight starts. We noticed early in the summer that our stable seems to be overly populated with turf runners this year and we were negatively impacted by the rain and soft turf conditions for most of the Saratoga meet.
NYRA Update
Leah Gyarmati, trainer
Prince Dubai ran twice at Saratoga – slugging through a very sloppy dirt course and finding all kinds of trouble in a turf run, finishing 6th, on the final Friday of the meet. He showed good grit and determination with a strong close. We planned to stretch him out to 1 1/4 miles on the inner turf, an optional claiming run for Sept. 16 but the race failed to file. The racing secretary put up an extra for NY breds at 1 1/8 mile on the turf, restricted to NY breds, for Sept. 18 and we plan to enter for this run. Today, Prince Dubai “in hand” breezed 4 furlongs in 39 seconds.
Indy Scent also ran twice at Saratoga. He was 6th first time out and ran a greatly improved race to capture 3rd during the final week of the Spa meet. He was closing strongly at the wire, missing the win by less about 3 lengths. We are looking at a 1 1/16 mile turf test (claiming price of $35,000) for Sept. 23rd. Earlier today, he breezed 4 furlongs over the dirt training track in 50.1 seconds. He was held tight for the entire work.
Bullet Baby was held out of training for several days with a sore hind foot but she is back and working strongly now. We are looking at a 6 furlong sprint on the turf for her, Sept. 24th. She ran 3rd in her only attempt at Saratoga this past August.
It’s the Big Cat did not summer at Saratoga but remained at the Belmont barn. She worked steadily and recorded an easy 4 furlong breeze over the dirt training surface in 50.1 seconds today. We are looking for a claiming level turf sprint for her sometime in the next two weeks at Belmont. We could ship to another venue like Penn National in the hope of finding a slightly easier spot for her.
Bonatini continues to progress on course in Leah’s barn. Today, she breezed her first 1/2 half in 52 seconds over a very deep and tiring main dirt course. She was clearly tired, but the work will do a lot for her conditioning. There are numerous NY bred 2 year-old races throughout the month for her. We likely will have her breeze another 1/2 mile before targeting a race toward the end of the month.
George Weaver, trainer
Brown Indian was given a few weeks off after his strong 2nd place finish at Saratoga late in the meet. He is back in training and we are looking for the racing secretary to write a 7 furlong starter’s allowance for later in the month for him.
Royal Bonnie came out of her maiden win in great shape and continues to train robustly. George has decided to test her in the $100,000 Grade 3 Miss Grillo Breeders’ Cup Stakes on Sunday, Oct. 2nd at Belmont. The run is a 1 1/16 mile turf test.
Engine Five resumed jogging at Stonebridge Farm in Schuylerville two weeks ago. He is on a pattern of alternating jogging and galloping each day. He’ll ship into George’s barn at Saratoga this week and his works will stretch out throughout the month.
Finger Lakes Update
Jeremiah Englehart, trainer
Bona Thunder showed an improved performance with a strong run a week ago to pick up a 3rd place finish. He demonstrated renewed enthusiasm for racing last time out and we are expecting an even stronger run toward the middle of the month. We are targeting a maiden claiming 6 furlong sprint for him.
General Information
Don’t forget you can establish a racing portfolio at either DRF.com or equibase.com to receive regular entries, results, workouts for all Bona Venture Stables horses.
Also, here is a link to view Royal Bonnie’s impressive win at Saratoga on Sept. 2nd.
Simply scroll down to the 4th race at Saratoga and click on the Royal Bonnie replay.
Category : Stable News
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