Luis Duco Stables Inc.’s Empire Builder swept to the lead on the turn of the $75, 000 Naked Greed Stakes at Calder Saturday, and pulled away to a convincing two length victory over fellow OBS graduate Musical Flair (March ’11). It’s the third stakes win of the year for the 3-year-old colt by Kitten’s Joy colt, sold for $10,000 by Eddie Woods, Agent, at the 2011 OBS April Sale. The win gives him a 12-5-1-1 record and earnings of $151,145. watch his under tack video
A pair of young OBS graduates did their running when it counted on Saturday, scoring impressive victories at first asking. At Woodbine, Stoneway LLC and Gary Barber’s Spring Venture closed from eighth of ten to hit the front in mid-stretch before drawing off to a 4-1/4 length score in a $63,539 maiden special weight test. The 2-year-old Spring at Last filly was purchased for $320,000 out of the Eisaman Equine consignment at the 2012 June Sale. watch her under tack video
A few hours later at Del Mar, West Point Thoroughbreds’ Tree of Life overcame a slow beginning in a $71,750 maiden special weight dash, came running in the final sixteenth and was going away at the wire, winning his first start by a length and a half. The 2-year-old colt by Lion Heart was sold for $60,000 by Hunter Valley Farm at last year’s August Yearling Sale.