Richie the Bull Popular Winner of Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity

The 37th edition of the Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity turned out to be a romp for Richie the Bull. The race, contested at a mile and a sixteenth on the main track carried a purse of $50,000 Added.

 

When morning-line favorite Shogood scratched, the general consensus was that Richie the Bull was going to have a pretty easy time of it and he did draw off to win by over nine lengths. But the talented youngster, trained by Larry Rivelli and owned by V-Leaf Stables LLC & Richard Ravin, had to work a little harder than expected, especially early.

 

He was under constant pressure from the start and never really shook clear until the top of the stretch but he did appear to be well within himself when he crossed the wire so far ahead of his foes.

 

E.T. Baird, who had ridden Richie the Bull in his career debut and just reclaimed the mount, was impressed with the way “Richie” navigated the route.

 

"He's a nice horse. For the first time running that distance around two turns he handled himself well, really professional. He was no problem. He finished full of run."

 

Navy Seabee managed to grab the early lead and had a length and a half lead at the quarter but was taken back a bit and raced in third place for most of the race. However, he came back to grab second, a length and a quarter ahead of Cashel Rock.

 

Santo Sanjur, 3rd on Cashel Rock: "My horse was loose the first quarter. The winner is a better horse and he won easy."

 

They ran the mile and a sixteenth in 1:45.68 after fractions of :24.19, :48.07, 1:13.30 and 1:38.98.

 

Richie the Bull earned $39,405 for the victory. His career earnings now stand at $95,665.