Benny the Bull and Kip Deville Win
Dutrow's Sprinter Turf Horses Take Smile Sprint and Poker Handicap
Benny the Bull's race at Belmont Park was part of the series called "Win and You're In" for horses competing for spots in the fall Breeders' Cup World Championships scheduled for October 24 and 25 at Santa Anita Park. Winners of races engaged in the series are automatic entries to the BCWC.
Prado Takes Benny to Winner's Circle
Jockey Edgar Prado got Benny the Bull to the winner's circle for the fifth straight time, wins that include a victory in the March Dubai World Cup Championships in the United Arab Emirates at Dubai.
Benny the Bull rallied in the $400,00 Smile Sprint Handicap, grade II, for Prado and Dutrow, finding yet another way to win and add to his dominating performances at short distances. Prado kept Benny well back in eighth position off the torrid pace set by Man of Danger and Ravalo who zoomed through the first quarter in :21.83. The half mile was spent in :45.64, with Benny in the seventh spot.
In a huge outside rally, Benny sprinted gallantly through the lane of the six furlong contest, caught the leaders, Blue Pepsi Lodge in third, Rockerfeller pounding along in second, and How's Your Halo in front, one by one to finish in 1:11.41 for his Breeders' Cup qualifying victory.
A 5-year-old, Benny the Bull is a son of Lucky Lionel. He is out of Comet Cat, by Birdonthewire. His Calder win put Benny's bankroll at an impressive $2,221,630 for nine wins from 17 starts. The sprinter champ is owned by a partnership that includes IEAH Stables.
Kip Deville is Two of Two This Season
The $100,000 Poker Handicap, grade III, was a showcase for Dutrow-trained Kip Deville last weekend when Kip Deville remained unbeaten in his last three starts, two this year, taking the Poker mile on turf in 1:32.94.
Regular rider Cornelio Velasquez asked Kip Deville for more effort as they entered the stretch, and the spotted gray turfer responded eagerly. Voted the favorite for the race, Kip Deville didn't disappoint. He went quickly through the lane to open a 2-length advantage by the 1/8 pole. This came after the gray had raced against Sensational Humor in a first quarter romp covered in :24.36, and the half in :47.32.
Godolphin Racing's Tam Lin, an English-bred, finished second to Kip Deville's final burst, 2-3/4 lengths back. Operation Red Dawn captured third in the five-horse race.
Said Dutrow of Kip Deville: "Kip likes to set off; that's his game." Kip Deville is owned by IEAH Stables.
