Bourbon Bay ready for the demanding distance in the San Juan Capistrano Handicap
David Heerensperger owned 6-year-old gelding, Bourbon Bay, got his 2012 campaign underway with a run in the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes at Santa Anita Park on 11 February, 2012, going over a distance of 1 ¼ miles on turf, a race that he won last year, but
couldn’t defend his title this time around as he fell away in the stretch to give way to winner Slim Shady, who downed the massive distance in 2 minutes and 1.55 seconds.
Neil D. Drysdale trained gelding made his second start in the marathon distance of 1 ½ miles in the Grade 2 San Luis Rey Stakes over the Santa Anita Park’s turf course, and downed his San Marcos Stakes tormentor, Slim Shadey in second and Hog’s Hollow in
third on 25 March, 2012.
The Kentucky bred son of Sligo Bay, Bourbon Bay will be sent as an overwhelming favourite in his third start of the campaign, the Grade 2 $150,000 San Juan Capistrano Handicap, as the curtain comes down on the 75th season of the Santa Anita Park
on 22 April, 2012.
The San Juan Capistrano Handicap will be run over a marathon distance of 1 ¾ miles over the Santa Anita Park’s unique hillside turf course , as Bourbon Bay will break from post number 2 under jockey Joel Rosario carrying the top weight of 122 pounds against
5 other, 4-year-old and above colts and geldings.
Out of mare Coral Necklace by Conquistador Cielo, Bourbon Bay clearly outshines his five rivals with six wins over the Santa Anita Park’s turf course with a lone runner up finish.
Bourbon Bay’s favoured local turf course has brought him five grade 2 victories, and on top of that the 6-year-old gelding has done it before, topping the demanding distance of the San Juan Capistrano back in 2010.
With a win in his previous start, Bourbon Bay appears to be back on his game, as he rallied from way back, virtually last, to turn in a solid performance in the stretch to down his San Marcos Stakes rival, Slim Shadey in the stretch to bag a much deserved
victory.
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