Royal Bonnie Starts Strong at BC, Finishes 10th

BVS Admin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:05:04 +0000

Royal Bonnie competed in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Nov. 4, running in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf. She was the first Bona Venture Stables runner ever to compete in the Breeders’ Cup and a Grade II race! The NY bred 2 year-old ran well, but finished 10th in only her 3rd career start. She will be given the winter off and return next year for summer turf racing.

Royal Bonnie Entered in Breeders Cup

BVS Admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:33:35 +0000

Bona Venture Stables will make its first appearance in the Breeders Cup with Royal Bonnie running in the $1 million Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf race on Friday, Nov. 4. The race is the day’s 6th – the second Breeders Cup race on the card. Post time is 4:50 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN2.

Royal Bonnie, trained by George Weaver, will have Cornelio Velasquez in the saddle for this Grade 1 race. She is a 2 year-old, New York bred. Royal Bonnie won her debut race at Saratoga Race Course in early September and followed this with a 2nd place finish in the Grade 3 Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont Park in early October. However, she was dq’d to 4th for interference.

Limited Shares Remain in Bonatini

BVS Admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:12:53 +0000

There are limited shares still available in Bonatini, a NY bred filly scheduled to make her racing debut on Oct. 28th at Belmont Park. She is a quick-from-the-gate, determined,hard knocking filly who should excell at 6 furlongs. Half shares (5%) are priced at $4,250 and a full share (10%) at $8,500. Contact us for more information.

Bona Stables Runs 2 Saturday at Belmont Park

BVS Admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:33:45 +0000

Bona Venture Stables streak of “in the money finishes” ended Wednesday with a dismal run by Prince Dubai following a win by Royal Bonnie, place by Indy Scent and Bona Thunder and show finish by Bullet Baby and Indy Scent.

We are looking to restart our streak on Saturday at Belmont Park.

First, a quick review of Prince Dubai’s run. Seemingly unprepared for the break, Prince Dubai pushed back as the gate opened, walked out of the starting gate and spotted the field at least a 6 length start. He moved up easily to connect with the field on the backstretch, pulled back on the far turn and flattened out down the stretch to finish 8th of 9. We are done with turf runs for him and we’ll drop to lower dirt races in the hopes of picking up a win or two this fall.

It’s The Big Cat returns to racing Saturday, Sept. 24th in Belmont Park’s 5th race, a $20,000 claiming run at 6 furlongs on the inner turf. Young apprentice rider Jeffrey Sanchez will be aboard. The early odds maker doesn’t give him much of a chance at 30-1 but he has been training extremely well for his return. We expect him to make a good showing. Post time is 3:08 p.m.

Later in the day’s 10th race, also a $20,000 6 furlong sprint on the turf, Bullet Baby is set to improve off her third place finish at Saratoga. Veteran rider Jorge Chavez returns to the saddle for this run. Our main concern here is if the weather turns foul and the race comes off the turf we will be scratch. Post time is 5:50 p.m.

Royal Bonnie continues to move forward in preparation for her stakes debut in the $100,000 Grade 3 Miss Grillo Breeders Cup Stakes on Oct. 2nd at Belmont. The run is a 1 1/16 mile contest on the turf. Restricted to 2 year-olds, her impressive first race win sets her up well for this stakes run.

Coming up, Brown Indian is tuning up for a starter allowance at 7 furlongs on the turf, Oct. 7 at Belmont Park. We’ve been waiting for this condition, surface and distance for his next race. It all matches up to an ideal situation for him.

Also on Oct. 7 we expect our newest 2 year-old, New York bred, Bonatini to make her maiden debut in a NY restricted maiden claiming ($35,000 price) 6 furlong dirt sprint. She recently breezed an easy 4 furlongs and has been improving each day. She will be a real contender in the NY bred ranks first time out.

All NYRA races can be view live at a number of internet websites such as www.hrtv.com; www.twinspires.com; www.nyrarewards.com and www.tvg.com.

Bona Stables at Belmont’s Fall Meet

BVS Admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 04:32:47 +0000

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.

http://www.nytbreeders.org/racing/ny-bred-winners.cfm?date=9/2/2011

Simply scroll down to the 4th race at Saratoga and click on the Royal Bonnie replay.

Video Link to Royal Bonnie’s Saratoga Win

BVS Admin — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:32:07 +0000

The NY Thoroughbred newsletter provides the following link to Royal Bonnie’s maiden win at Saratoga on Friday, Sept. 2nd.

http://www.nytbreeders.org/racing/ny-bred-winners.cfm?date=9/2/2011

Scroll down to the 4th race at Saratoga and the Royal Bonnie video replay.

Royal Bonnie Wins 1st Time Out at Spa

BVS Admin — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:31:00 +0000

Royal Bonnie became the first horse in Bona Venture Stables history to score a victory in her first career run. She captured a 1 1/16 mile turf run for NY bred fillies with a “very sound, professional run.”

Our 2 year-old Yankee Gentleman filly, with Javier Castellano in the irons, broke quickly from the gate, ranged up tugging at the bit in the first 1/4 mile. Castellano had a heavy hold on him as the field rounded the clubhouse turn and he guided our girl a bit outside to settle in 4th. However she clearly was on the bit early and ranged up along the early leaders. Castellano gave her a bit of lead and she loomed just outside the leader as they entered the stretch turn.

Royal Bonnie pulled along side and quickly gained the lead as the field straightened out. She was quickly headed by another and actually slipped into 2nd. Castellano reminded her of jer racing and she burst to the lead and drew away from the field to win by nearly 2 widening lengths. Castellano rode her out further from the wire, indicating she’ll love even more distance.

Afterward, George Weaver, trainer, was very pleased with the result, noting that another horse causing a distrubance in the paddock momentarily distracted her, but she quickly regained her composure and became all business. “She has a long, impressive stride and scored first time out. This is very unusual (although someone has to win each maiden race). We will check on her tomorrow to be sure she came out of the race well and begin plotting her next run.

Exciting Week Ahead for Bona Venture Stables Runners

BVS Admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:29:23 +0000

The 143rd racing season at Saratoga Race Course is entering its stretch run Wednesday and Bona Venture Stables is hoping to make some noise over the final six days of racing.

Royal Bonnie, our precocious NY bred 2 year-old out of Yankee Gentleman, is set to race on Friday, Sept. 2nd in the day’s 4th race. Friday is the second of two “twilight” racing days with first post delayed until 2:30 p.m. Post time for Royal Bonnie’s run is 4 p.m. The race is a maiden special weight at 1 1/16 miles on the turf and George Weaver (trainer) has named Javier Castellano as rider. Castellano leads the nation in purse earnings and is in a hotly contested Saratoga rider championship with Johnny Velasquez. Coming into Wednesday, Castellano trails Velasquez by one win.

We are very high on Royal Bonnie’s chances in the upcoming race. She was originally scheduled to run nearly two weeks ago until the race was taken off the grass and we scratched. George feels strongly that she is a top turf runner, which is highlighted by her pedigree.

Prince Dubai is also scheduled to race on the turf Friday in the day’s 10th race. Post time is 7:14 p.m. The run is a 1 mile (grass) claiming event. Eddie Castro will be aboard. We expect Prince Dubai to be a strong contender in this run following his dismal race in the mud and slop on opening day. We scratched from a similar grass race taken off and sent to a muddy main track three weeks ago.

He is training brilliantly and we expect him to run strong.

We will wrap up the 2011 meet on Sunday, Sept. 4th with Bullet Baby as a potential runner in a 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint. Entries for Sunday’s races will be taken on Thursday. Bullet Baby ran an exceptional race two weeks ago at Saratoga, finishing 3rd, missing by less than a length and a half. She contested for the lead through the half mile, put her head in front down the stretch and was barely caught at the finish. It was her first race in nearly seven weeks and we expect an even stronger run second time out.

Recent Race Highlights

Bona Thunder stalked the leaders throughout a 5 1/2 furlong dirt sprint at Finger Lakes on Monday, missing the win by only two lengths. He was strong and competitive through the stretch run, a much improved performance over a dismal 6th place finish a few weeks ago.

Indy Scent rallied from well back to run 3rd Saturday in a 1 1/16 turf run at Saratoga. He trailed the field by as much as 10 lengths early on, but exhibited a strong rally down the stretch, gaining quickly on the leaders but missing the win by a length and a half. Two strides after the finish line he passed both other horses. We are very pleased with his renewed enthusiasm for racing following a decision to geld him a month ago. Our plan is to stretch him out a bit in distance next time out.

Brown Indian picked up a 2nd in his only Saratoga start a week ago. The race, originally carded for the turf at 7 furlongs was moved to a very muddy main track. Brown Indian showed a lot of courage running well throughout to finish 2nd. He’ll make his next start at Belmont Park in a one turn grass run at either 7 furlongs of a mile.

If you plan to be at Saratoga for any of our runs this weekend, please contact us ahead of time and you can join us in the paddock and winner’s circle!

Busy racing schedule ahead for Bona Venture Stables

BVS Admin — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:24:06 +0000

The 143rd Saratoga race meeting is winding down with the upcoming running of the $1 million Travers Stakes this weekend, and Bona Venture Stables will highlight its weekend with Indy Scent running in the 4th race on Saturday.

This will be the first time Bona Venture Stables will have a horse running on Travers Day (Saturday) in front of what is traditionally the largest on-site crowd of the 7-week meet. Indy Scent, with Eddie Castro in the irons, will contest a 1 1/16 mile test on the inner turf course. A full field of 12 are expected for the race, which goes postward at 1:10 p.m. Travers Day first post is early, 11:30 a.m. for the 12 race card. Travers Stakes post is approximately 5:45 p.m., the final of 5 graded stakes races with total purses exceeding $1.6 million. The stakes races will be broadcast live on NBC this Saturday.

We will post a full analysis of Saturday’s stakes card here Friday.

Other stable news

We are hopeful that Bona Venture Stables will have a busy week over the final days of the 2011 Saratoga meet. On Friday, Sept. 2nd we are targeting Royal Bonnie, our talented 2 year-old NY bred filly, for her maiden run – a 1 1/16 mile turf test restricted to NY breds. You may recall that she was originally scheduled to race last weekend but we scratched when the race came off the turf. She generated a lot of interest from the various handicappers, with Dan Irwin, of The Daily Racing Form citing her as a horse to watch. This race is also carded for Sunday, Sept. 4th, as an alternative.

On Saturday, Sept. 3rd, there is an allowance/optional claiming race for Prince Dubai. The run is a 1 1/16 mile turf contest for NY breds. He is now eligible to race, following a 14-day restriction after we scratched out of a race three weeks ago.

Sunday, Sept. 4th brings a 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint for non-winners of 2 races. We will point Bullet Baby toward this race, following her strong 3rd place performance last week. However, the timing between races is close and she’ll have to tell us next week if she is ready or not.

There also is a maiden run at 6 1/2 furlongs for 2 year-old NY bred fillies on Sunday and there is a chance that Bonatini could be ready for this test. She was kept out of training for a few days last week and treated for a slight injury to her rear right leg. She is now back and training well, but we will have to see if she is ready before deciding to enter or not.

We are open to considering Brown Indian for another try over the Saratoga turf but we will need an extra to be carded for the last week at either 7 furlongs or 1 mile on the turf. There currently is no race listed in the condition book that fits him. Otherwise, we will see him run early in the fall Belmont Park meet.

It’s The Big Cat has been training steadily at Leah Gyarmati’s barn at Belmont all August, and he’ll be ready for a low level claiming contest when the Belmont meet opens on Friday, Sept. 9.

Engine Five has resumed training at Stone Bridge Farm in Schuylerville and will ship into George Weaver’s Saratoga barn in early September following the conclusion of the Saratoga meet. He is at least a month or so away from a return to racing.

At Finger Lakes Race Track, Bona Thunder disappointed in his last outing, finishing in mid-pack. Jeremiah Englehart plans to put blinkers on him for his next run. We’ve retired both Mark the Galaxy and Devilishameye and we are currently seeking good, safe homes or alternative careers for both horses.

Saratoga Scene in Full Color this Week

BVS Admin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:36:42 +0000

The second half of Saratoga racing is now underway and the social scene is in full color as we head into Travers week Aug. 23rd. Social life is another part of historic Saratoga and always highlighted by numerous celebrity sightings and benefit galas. After all, Mary Lou Whitney spends $100,000 on a $3,000 meal to support Saratoga Hospital. The Sheikh of Dubai spends more than $8 million in two nights of thoroughbred yearling purchasing. Bo Derek, yes, the famed “10″ sultry movie queen and Bebe Neuwirth were in town to celebrate Equine Charities. Not to be out done, movie starlet Anne Margaret light up the night at the National Museum of Dance 25th gala celebration.

So what’s coming this week? On Friday it’s Fabulous Fillies Day at Saratoga Race Track and Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Godsmack (admit I haven’t a clue who this is) performs at SPAC on Friday, Aug. 19 and on Monday, Aug. 22nd there is a Saratoga Jockey Karaoke contest to benefit the disabled jockeys fund. Tuesday, Aug. 23rd kicks off the Travers Festival which starts with a week long 1864 week long restaurant celebration. Stevie Nicks will appear at SPAC on Aug. 30.