Altissimo gets first stakes win in Babst/Palacios Memorial Handicap

The $75,000 Edward Babst/Albert Palacios Memorial Handicap on Saturday at Belterra Park looked like all but a foregone conclusion for the millionaire Rivers Run Deep.

Ohio’s second-all-time leading earner had won the past three editions of the six-furlong race for Ohio-breds, and he entered the gate as the 1-2 favorite against five rivals whom he regularly turned away in previous efforts.

The only entry in the field who had bettered Rivers Run Deep was Altissimo, who ran second when Rivers Run Deep was third two starts prior in the Cardinal Handicap at Mahoning Valley. Altissimo once again found the secret to defeating the 20-time winner on Saturday, and he did so with relative ease in a rail-running trip.

Altissimo was rushed to the lead on the rail, followed about a half-length behind on his outside by Prime Time Justice, with My Pardner Cal heading up the next flight a couple lengths back. The lead duo battled through an opening quarter in 22.01 seconds while Rivers Run Deep began to emerge from the pack on the outside.

Prime Time Justice could not keep up the battle up front and quickly faded as he and Altissimo headed into the turn, leaving Altissimo alone on the lead. Altissimo set the opening half in 45.32 seconds, with Cake Pop moving up to challenge on the rail and Rivers Run Deep coming up three wide as they hit the top of the stretch.

Despite the mounting pressure, jockey Christian Pilares sat cool aboard Altissimo and urged his mount only with a hand ride. Rivers Run Deep was the closest challenger, and he appeared to be chipping away at the leader under strong urging from Cincinnati-area stalwart Perry Ouzts, but Altissimo snuffed out his rival’s rally and drew off to win by six lengths. Pilares never drew his stick on his mount.

Rivers Run Deep, tasting defeat in the Babst/Palacios Memorial for the first time in four editions, finished second, 3 3/4 lengths ahead of third-place Cake Pop.

Altissimo completed the six-furlong race in 1:09.89, paying $8.40 to win as the field’s third choice and getting a 96 Beyer Speed Figure. The 5-year-old Noble Causeway gelding races as a homebred for Nancy Larvich and Elizabeth Rankin of Niknar Farm.

Altissimo was the first stakes winner for trainer Richard Zielinski since 2006, when he saddled Imahoneytoo to a pair of black-type scores at Thistledown. The Babst/Palacios Memorial was also the first stakes win for Pilares since 2016.

Saturday’s victory improved Altissimo’s record to nine wins in 27 starts, and the Babst/Palacios Memorial was his first stakes victory. His earnings improved to $221,888.