Assiniboia: Balooga Bull risks perfect mark in Golden Boy

Balooga Bull, who remained undefeated in five starts in an open allowance race on May 21, will be looking for his fourth stakes win in Friday’s $30,000 Golden Boy at Assiniboia Downs.

The six-furlong Golden Boy, the first open stakes of the meeting, attracted a field of five and will go as the third of eight races on the evening program.

Balooga Bull, a Kentucky-bred who is owned by Paul Brandt and trained by Ardell Sayler, reeled off four victories last year, including the 5 1/2-furlong Graduation, six-furlong Osiris, and six-furlong Winnipeg Futurity. Returning in the five-furlong prep for the Golden Boy, Balooga Bull led throughout under Paul Nolan and prevailed by a head as the prohibitive choice over newcomer Pleasant Closing.

Pleasant Closing also returns in the Golden Boy. Claimed for $30,000 at Oaklawn Park this winter by trainer and co-owner Murray Duncan, Pleasant Closing was shortening up from 1 1/16 miles when he faced Balooga Bull under returning rider Tyrone Nelson.

Balooga Bull broke from the inside post that day while Pleasant Closing had post 5. In the Golden Boy, Pleasant Closing has the rail and Balooga Boy begins from the 3 hole.

So Shiny, another Oaklawn import, could pick up the pieces if the top two duel each other into submission.

Owned and trainer by Melissa Peach and ridden by Prayven Badrie, So Shiny finished well from off the pace to win his local debut in a 5 1/2-furlong first-level $15,000 optional claiming race on May 30. So Shiny drew outside the speed in post 4.

Rounding out the field are Samurai Slam and Dixieland Gold, who ran one-two in a 5 1/2-maiden race on May 26 which went in slow time. Dixieland Gold was disqualified that day and placed fourth.