Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
River Boyne could have coming-out party in Pasadena
ARCADIA, Calif. – Back-toback stakes victories propelled Pubilius Syrus to the head of the local 3-year-old turf class, at least for the time being. On Saturday at Santa Anita, he faces a formidable rival whose maiden and allowance wins suggest he could be any type.
River Boyne, a small but mighty import who won both of his starts at this meet by open lengths, will be tough to beat in the $200,000 Pasadena Stakes if he reproduces his most recent start, a first-level allowance he won by nearly three lengths.
“He looks like a little Quarter Horse,” trainer Jeff Mullins said. “To watch him move, even on the dirt, he’s such a good mover, well balanced.”
River Boyne arrived last fall from England after he was purchased at the Tattersalls autumn horses in training sale by Red Baron’s Stable and Rancho Temescal. The colt was a maiden at the time, but according to Mullins, his former connections believed he was special.
“After they bought him, they left him with the guy over there, and they told them this horse is a serious horse,” Mullins said. “We expected him to win first out at Del Mar.”
River Boyne broke slowly in the Nov. 24 maiden race at Del Mar and flew home to finish second. Jockey Flavien Prat told Mullins after the race, “This is a racehorse.”
River Boyne won a Santa Anita maiden race by five lengths on Dec. 26 and followed with a decisive first-level allowance win Feb. 8, running his final quarter-mile in 23 seconds.
With Prat riding Solomini on Saturday at Oaklawn Park, Mullins reached out to Joel Rosario’s agent, Ron Anderson, to inquire if Rosario was available for the Pasadena. The answer was yes.
Pubilius Syrus won the Eddie Logan Stakes at a mile on turf Dec. 29, followed by a downhill sprint victory in the Baffle Stakes on Feb. 18. Vladimir Cerin trains Pubilius Syrus, whose rider Saturday is Corey Nakatani.
Others in the Pasadena include Afleet Ascent, the runner-up in the Baffle; Heck Yeah, 3 for 3 against Cal-breds, including two stakes; and Inscom, the runner-up in the Eddie Logan. The field also includes Platinum Equity, Buckstopper Kit, Ax Man, and La La Land.
Turf or dirt for Irish O’Brien?
California-bred fillies and mares race for a $100,000 purse in the Irish O’Brien Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita. The question: On which course will the race be run?
The Irish O’Brien is scheduled for 6 1/2 furlongs on the hill, race 3. But with more rain expected Friday night, the race could be moved to dirt.
On either surface, Miss Sunset is the one to catch. The 8-for-14 filly raced gate to wire last time in the Spring Fever Stakes on dirt; she is 2 for 4 on turf. If the race stays on turf, How About Zero looks like the most likely winner. She has won both of her starts on the hill, including a decisive win last out in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint.
Also in the field are Barbara Beatrice, Desert Steel, Starlite Style, and Cuddle Alert.
Unique Bella might hit road
Unique Bella could soon make the first road trip of her career, having recovered from the cough that interrupted her training and cost her a start in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita.
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and assistant Dan Ward are considering the Grade 1 Apple Blossom on April 13 at Oaklawn Park for Unique Bella, whose nine starts and seven wins have been in California. “That would be a good test, shipping for the first time,” Ward said.
The first priority for Unique Bella is a resumption of workouts. “As soon as the track is [fast], she’ll have a workout,” Ward said, adding that she recovered quickly from her cough. “She missed four days, she walked, and then went right back to the track.”
Unique Bella has won six graded stakes, including a 109 Beyer Speed Figure romp in the Grade 2 Santa Maria at Santa Anita last out.