Charles K. Marquis’ Bear River (Flameaway – Sixtyfivenorth, by Midshipman) led every step of the way and held off a furious late bid from favored Howard Wolowitz to spring a 19-1 upset in the $2 million Kentucky Turf Sprint (G2) by a half-length Aug. 30 at Kentucky Downs and lead the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.
It was the first graded-stakes victory for Bear River and, as a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup, earned the 4-year-old Flameaway ridgling an all-fees-paid trip to Del Mar for the $1 million Turf Sprint (G1) Nov. 1. Bear River registered his seventh win and fourth in a stakes from 22 starts and his bankroll has now pushed past the $1.6 million mark.
(Coady Media photo)
“He earned his way. He’s a top-level horse. We gave him the time and he just came back a monster,” winning trainer Keith Desormeaux told Kentucky Downs publicity of Bear River.
Bear River fetched $50,000 at the 2023 OBS June Sale by his owner out of the Randy Miles consignment after breezing in :10 2/5.
“It seems like OBS is producing many winners all over the country, so congrats to them,” Desormeaux said. “For $50,000, believe it or not…I think that was a value purchase.”
At Saratoga Race Course Aug. 30, Newtown Anner Stud Farm’s Praying (Vekoma-Pray for Leslie, by Bernardini) stunned a field of five with a rallying victory in the Grade 3, $175,000 Prioress, a six-furlong sprint for sophomore fillies,
Trained by Robert Medina, the daughter of Vekoma showed no signs of weakening on Saturday when rallying from fourth to notch her first stakes victory and Medina’s second career graded score. She was a $410,000 purchase by Stone Bridge Farm at the 2024 OBS April Sale from the
Mayberry Farm after breezing in :9 4/5.
At Louisiana Downs Aug. 30, Baronne Farms’ He’s Just Lucky (Breaking Lucky – Anea, by Unbridled’s Song) took the $75,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint, part of six races for state-breds. Trained by Allen Landry, He’s Just Lucky won his third straight race including a prior win in the Louisiana Legends Sprint. He was purchased by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing for $50,000 from the 4M Ranch consignment at the 2022 OBS Winter Mixed Sale.
Also on the Louisiana Downs card Aug. 30 Rose Mark, Slam Dunk Racing, and Dennis Bailey’s Rising Inflation (Mitole – Any Given Trace, by Any Given Saturday) won the $75,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff. Rising Inflation, trained by Jonathan Wong, overcame an awkward start to prevail by a half-length. She was purchased by Klaravich Stable for $200,000 out of the Niall Brennan Stables consignment at the 2023 OBS April Sale after breezing in :10 1/5.
Another winner on the Louisiana Downs card came when Whispering Oaks Farm LLC’s Good and Stout (Coal Front-Ready Witted, by More Than Ready), trained by Carrol Castille, denied defending winner Allnight Moonlight in the $75,000 Louisiana Cup Turf in a showdown that moved to the main track. The colt stayed in the middle of the track and held off the favorite by a neck.
He was purchased for $75,000 out of the Julie Davies consignment at the 2023 OBS April Sale after breezing in :10 1/5. He was previously sold at the 2022 OBS October Yearling Sale for $55,000 to Davies out of the Kaizen Sales consignment.