Richard's Boy holds off Well Measured in Cal Cup Sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. - Nearly two years after he was acquired privately, Richard’s Boy is still providing massive rewards for Gary Hartunian’s Rockingham Ranch.

In Saturday’s $150,345 California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita, Richard’s Boy held off a stubborn Well Measured to win the six-furlong race for California-breds by a nose. The winner’s share was worth $90,000.

Richard’s Boy won his third stakes in the Cal Cup Sprint, and first on dirt. He won sprint stakes on turf here and at Santa Rosa in 2015.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Richard’s Boy earned Saturday’s victory. He was challenged early by Jimmy Bouncer and Acceptance, racing within a neck of the lead through early fractions of 21.89 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.38 for a half-mile.

Acceptance led narrowly with a quarter-mile remaining, but Richard’s Boy led by a half-length over Acceptance at the eighth pole and held off Well Measured at the finish. Richard’s Boy ($6) ran six furlongs in 1:08.71.

“He’s an old, classy horse,” Prat said. “On the backstretch, he was pretty aggressive. Past the three-eighths pole, he relaxed well. He knows the job,” Prat said.

Well Measured, claimed for $20,000 in his last start, finished a half-length in front of Acceptance, who was followed by Jimmy Bouncer, Solid Wager and Tough But Nice.

Richard’s Boy was a slight favorite over stablemate Solid Wager, who was also 2-1. Solid Wager finished in a dead heat for first in the Grade 3 Midnight Lute Stakes on Dec. 31. Solid Wager was beaten 2 3/4 lengths by Richard’s Boy.

Richard’s Boy and Solid Wager are trained by Peter Miller. A 5-year-old gelding by Idiot Proof, Richard’s Boy has won 8 of 19 starts and has earned $536,080. Seventh in the 2016 Cal Cup Sprint, Richard’s Boy has been in the first three in his last seven starts, a span that includes four second-place finishes and a third in stakes races, all on turf.