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Bullard capitalizes off fast pace and rolls past rivals in the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar under Umberto Rispoli
The Gun Runner 2-year-old Bullard went from last to first heading into the stretch Sunday at Del Mar in the 44th edition of the $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes for 2-year-olds.
Umberto Rispoli did the piloting in the big late rush, getting his colt home by four and three-quarters lengths at the end of the seven-furlong, Grade III test, run in a final time of 1:22.55. Mike McCarthy trains the winner, who was capturing his second race in his second start. He went favored in the dash at 11/10 and returned $4.20.
The dark bay or brown youngster, a $675,000 yearling purchase, is owned by the partnership of St. Elias Stable, Talla Racing, Three Chimneys Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds. He earned a check for $60,000 today and now has winnings of $105,000.
Finishing second was first-time starter Madaket Road, who is owned by a partnership headed by SF Racing, Starlight Racing or Madaket Stables. He had two and three-quarter lengths on third-place finisher McKinzie Street, who runs in the silks of Amestoy, Amestoy Jr. and Beasley. Five horses in all competed in the dash.
Racing takes a break now at the shore oval until its return on Friday with a first post of 12:30 p.m.
UMBERTO RISPOLI (Bullard, winner) “I thought the pace was very fast, something that I was wishing before the race. And I know he was a little bit off the bridle in the beginning. I just think he is a horse that deserves a bit more distance. Look he hacked, he moved, he gallops like a good horse, like a great horse. He is a horse who has shown us who he is only at his second start. He needs to figure out what is really going on with horse racing. Everything is about learning, for him, once he understands how this all really works, I think he is going to improve, improve and improve. I don’t think it was his best today.”
MICHAEL MCCARTHY (Bullard, winner) – “I thought Yakteen’s (McKinzie Street) was the horse to beat. When they were three across the track like that I felt pretty good. He had four works. It would have been nice to have had five but he was able to get the job done. Obviously, :43.4 (half mile) helped a little bit.”
FRACTIONS: :21.63 :43.93 1:09.59 1:22.55
The stakes win was the first of the meet for rider Rispoli and his first in the Bob Hope. He now has 33 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The stakes win was the first of the meet for trainer McCarthy, but his second in the Bob Hope (No Problem, 2014), He now has 13 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The winning owners are the partnership of St. Elias Stable, Weste Point Thoroughbreds and Talla Racing.
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Press release
Benoit Photo
