Bayerd Bests Shotgun Kowboy in Springboard
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Photo:
Dustin Orona Photography
Billed as the rubber match between the top 2-year-olds this season at Remington Park, the $255,000 Springboard Mile did not disappoint. Bayerd battled for the lead off the final turn, putting away High Noon Rider and then having to hold off the rally of rival Shotgun Kowboy, winning by a head in a thriller.
Bayerd had previously won the $75,000 Kip Deville Stakes with Shotgun Kowboy third in September. In November, Shotgun Kowboy won the $100,000 Clever Trevor Stakes with Bayerd as the runner-up. The Springboard Mile set up the deciding throw down.
Owned by Clark Brewster of Tulsa, Okla. and trained by Steve Asmussen, Bayerd was put into position for success by jockey Ramon Vazquez in the final turn. Nearing the top of the stretch, Bayerd moved for the front, alongside pace-setter Supermason who handled a quarter-mile in :23.22; a half-mile in :46.09 and then three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.54.
As Bayerd attempted to take the lead, High Noon Rider moved to his outside and appeared ready to take over. Bayerd had something left and hooked up with High Noon Rider, nose-to-nose through mid-stretch.
Bayerd finally put High Noon Rider away and was up by nearly two lengths with a sixteenth of a mile to go when Shotgun Kowboy roared after him. Gaining with every stride, Shotgun Kowboy had rallied from last in the early going after a slow start but ran out of real estate. Bayerd held on to cross the line in 1:37.26 over a muddy and sealed main track.
High Noon Rider held on for third, 4-1/2 lengths behind the runner-up. Phenomenal Phoenix was along for fourth, six lengths from the winner.
“It was one of the most thrilling races, especially for a big feature, that I’ve ever seen here,” Clark Brewster said. A longtime supporter of Remington Park racing, Brewster had targeted the Springboard Mile when he purchased Bayerd for $75,000 late in the spring.
“We’re so proud of him, he ran a really tough race. We didn’t know if he could get the distance but really felt he deserved the chance after the Clever Trevor Stakes when he never really saw Shotgun Kowboy coming after him until he blew past.”
As for future plans with Bayerd, Brewster will leave that to Asmussen and the horse. “There will be lots of options for him. We’ll let him tell us where he wants to be.”
Bayerd was 5-2 in the wagering and paid $7 to win, $4.20 to place and $3.80 to show. Shotgun Kowboy was the slight favorite in the wagering, also at 5-2 odds, paid $3.80 to place and $2.80 to show. High Noon Rider paid $3.80 to show.
Bred in Kentucky by Alpha Delta Stables, Bayerd is a 2-year-old colt by Speightstown from the Cherokee Run mare Cherokee Jewel. The Springboard is his third career win from five attempts to go with one second-place run and a third-place finish, having never finished worse than third. The Springboard winner’s check of $150,000 moves the career earnings for Bayerd to $282,100.
Remington Park is open daily at 10:30am for simulcast racing and casino gaming, featuring the Bricktown Brewery on the casino floor. Admission, general parking and valet parking are always free at Remington Park.
Source: Remington Park
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