The team of trainer Steve Asmussen and rider Ricardo Santana, Jr. combined to win three races with 2-year-old OBS graduates last weekend at Saratoga
On Friday, Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton Racing LLC’s Bankit made no mistakes in his second start, going head and head for the lead into the stretch and then drawing away down the lane to win a 5-1/2 furlong maiden special dash by 6-3/4 lengths. The 2-year-old colt by Central Banker, who settled for second after leading into the final furlong in his debut at Belmont in June, was consigned by SGV Thoroughbreds LLC (Steven Venosa), Agent, to the 2018 OBS March Sale, and was purchased for $260,000 by Winchell Thoroughbreds after turning in an eighth in :10 1/5 at the Under Tack Show. watch his under tack video
The same team took the first race on the Saturday card, as Santana came from off the pace with Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton Racing LLC’s Carter Cat, blew by the leaders a furlong from home and took the 5-1/2 furlong maiden special dash by 2-1/2 lengths. Winchell Thoroughbreds bought the 2-year-old son of Tale of the Cat for $155,000 out of the Eddie Woods consignment at the March Sale after he sped an Under Tack quarter in :21 2/5. watch his under tack video
Santana and Asmussen struck again four races later with Dream Baby Dream Racing Stable’s first time starter Absolutely Aiden, who led every step of the way en route to a 2-3/4 length victory in a six furlong maiden special test. He’s a 2-year-old colt by Stay Thirsty, consigned to the 2018 April Sale by Old South Farm LLC and sold to Lee Ackerley for $120,000 after turning in an Under Tack eighth in :10 1/5. watch his under tack video