Red Danger auditions for Breeders' Cup with Ky. Downs stakes win

Franklin, Ky.

Red Danger has gone from $17,000 auction purchase to half-million-dollar stakes winner.

The 2-year-old Orb colt outdueled filly Kaufymaker and edged away Thursday to win the $500,000 Juvenile Turf Sprint Stakes at Kentucky Downs. He covered 6½ furlongs under jockey Luis Saez in 1:16.51, returning $7.20 at 5-2 odds.

Red Danger improved to 2-for-3 to start his career and 2-for-2 on the turf. He broke his maiden on second asking last month over the Saratoga lawn after debuting fifth on the Spa’s main track.

Brian Lynch said Red Danger’s performance Thursday convinced the trainer that his colt is ready to take on the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. That Grade 1, $1 million event goes one mile at Del Mar on Nov. 5.

“This is an undulating sort of track so 6½ (furlongs) plays like seven,” Lynch said of Kentucky Downs. “So it gives you a bit of a feel that, ‘Hey, possibly, you might be on the right road with him.’

“I ultimately think he can further stretch out. We’re just excited to have him and watch him progress like he has.”

A field of 10 was entered for the Juvenile Turf Sprint Stakes, and all those 2-year-olds made it to the starting gate. But once in the gate, Detroit City and Pure Panic acted up, and both were late scratches.

The eight remaining entrants were backed out of the gates and walked around for a few minutes while the two scratched runners returned to the paddock.

“They’re 2-year-olds and they’re feeling good, and they get to feeling froggy behind the gates,” Lynch said. “It’s a chain event. Fortunately, we didn’t get involved in the chain. (Red Danger) somewhat behaved himself there and we were able to get away with a clean break.”

Once the race finally started, Saez found Red Danger a spot mid-pack and a few lengths off the pace. Baytown Warrior covered the first quarter-mile in 21.85 seconds, while Vodka N Water led the field through a half-mile in 45.24.

Red Danger went three-wide through the turn and then came out wider for the drive. He engaged in a duel with 9-5 favorite Kaufymaker, a Wesley Ward trainee making her first start since running at Royal Ascot.

Under a left-handed drive, Red Danger cleared Kaufymaker, then withstood a rally from Romancer. Red Danger crossed the wire ¾ of a length clear of Romancer, who was ¾ of a length ahead of Kaufymaker.

“It was perfect,” Saez said. “That was the trip we were planning to get. He’s a come-from-behind horse. He broke good today. He was right there. The main thing was try to relax, let the speed go and sit behind the speed.

“When we came to the top of the stretch, he made the move. He was a little confused with the turf at the three-eighths because it’s a little like dirt. But when we came to the top of the stretch, he gave me that kick, so we got there on time.”

Taproot Bloodstock purchased the Kentucky-bred Red Danger for a mere $17,000 at a Keeneland sale in November 2019. The colt has now earned $359,700 in just three starts for owner Silverton Hill.

Hendy Woods takes command in One Dreamer Stakes

Hendy Woods, second last month in a Saratoga stakes race, did one better Thursday with a 4¼-length victory in the $400,000 One Dreamer Stakes.

Trained by Mark Casse, the 4-year-old Uncle Mo filly improved to 10: 5-2-0 lifetime with $528,451 earned. She covered one mile, 70 yards in 1:38.33 under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, paying $6.60 at 5-2 odds.

Sweet Melania broke out to the lead Thursday and set fractions of 22.74, 45.98 and 1:10.28 through the first six furlongs. I’llhandalthecash stalked in second, with Hendy Woods going along comfortably in third.

Hendy Woods poked her head in front at the eighth pole and won going away. Sweet Melania stayed up to cross second, ahead of Alta’s Award in third.

Casse noted that Hendy Woods lost “a heartbreaker” at Saratoga when she was second by a half-length in the De La Rose Stakes.

“Actually, I thought this was a tough race,” Casse said. “I was surprised with the ease that she won it.”