Three consecutive wins for Bold Journey as he captures the Gravesend (Joe Labozzetta)
By Mary Eddy – NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y.— Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber and Pantofel Stable’s New York-bred Bold Journey doubled up on stakes scores while bringing his win streak to three in-a-row in Saturday’s Listed $150,000 Gravesend, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up, at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the 4-year-old son of Hard Spun added to a last-out score in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap on November 24 here with a similar off-the-pace effort, and an optional claiming conquest by a nose two starts back at the Big A. The Fred W. Hertrich, III and John D. Fielding-bred colt is a half-brother to Americanrevolution, a Grade 1-winning New York-bred who stands his first season at stud in 2024 at Rockridge Stud.
Ridden to victory by Eric Cancel, Bold Journey utilized his usual late-running tactics once again in the Gravesend and tracked in fourth-of-5 after emerging from post 4. Post-time favorite Durante was keen to his outside and Rotknee, who broke outwardly from post 2 under Jose Lezcano, rocketed up the rail to take a clear lead from Durante and mark the opening quarter-mile in 21.94 seconds over the muddy main track.
“You knew on paper they were going to gun it out,” Cancel said of Durante and Rotknee. “I just tried to sit the right trip – which I did – and the horse responded really well.”
Rotknee maintained his command through the turn and completed a half-mile in 44.95, but Bold Journey, despite being 6 1/2 lengths behind, steadily made up ground with every stride to loom large to the inside of Durante at the top of the lane.
Stage Left, who tracked in third throughout, tried in vain to advance down the center of the course and to the outside of Durante, but Bold Journey had the greatest momentum and rolled by a valiant Rotknee at the eighth pole, widening his margin to cross the wire 4 1/2 lengths in front in a final time of 1:09.46.
Rotknee staved off Durante to preserve place honors by a nose with Stage Left finishing another head back in fourth. Greeley and Ben, who trailed throughout, completed the order of finish.
The win marked the second stakes score for Cancel since returning from injury in October. The 27-year-old native of Carolina, Puerto Rico was aboard Bold Journey for the first time since guiding him to an allowance victory in June at Belmont Park.
“I’m very grateful. I want to thank everybody who has given me the opportunity to get back on the horses I was riding [before his injury],” said Cancel. “I get along with him very well. I was very happy they gave me back the opportunity to ride him and it worked out very well.”
Cancel added that Bold Journey was primed to give a strong effort.
“He broke very sharp today. He usually sits back early in the race,” Cancel said. “I just let him get comfortable and once I asked him, he knew what he needed to do. He just engaged and from there on that was it.
“He was very explosive today,” Cancel continued. “As soon as I asked him, he didn’t hesitate. He didn’t take a while like he usually does. Today, he just exploded and from there on I just had to hang on tight.”
Bold Journey banked $82,500 in victory and improved his lifetime record to 20-7-6-0 with lifetime earnings of $568,743. The $80,000 OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training purchase returned $8.10 on a $2 win bet.
Lezcano said the Mike Maker-trained New York-bred Rotknee, who was a last-out third to Bold Journey in the Fall Highweight, was hampered by a tangled beginning.
“He broke a step behind and broke out. After that, I sent a little bit and he jumped in the bridle and went on,” Lezcano explained. “That’s the way he wants to run, I think. The winner can run – can’t take nothing away from him. My horse gave me what he’s got – he ran his best.”
Live racing resumes Sunday at the Big A for the nine-race Closing Day card of the fall meet, featuring the $150,000 Queens County in Race 8. First post is 12:20 p.m. Eastern.
