Balandeen gets back on winning track in Tom Ridge Stakes
Balandeen, making his synthetic surface debut and returning to a sprint after getting crushed going two turns in the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby and the Northern Spur Stakes at Oaklawn Park, snapped a five-race losing streak in Monday night’s $100,000 Tom Ridge Stakes for 3-year-olds at Presque Isle Downs.
Ridden for the first time by Albin Jimenez, Balandeen ($5.20) pressed the pace set by 6-5 favorite El Hanse through a half-mile in 45.32 seconds. It remained a two-horse race through the stretch, with Balandeen sticking his head in front at the eighth pole and edging clear to win by 1 3/4 lengths.
El Hanse, who inherited the role of favorite with the scratch of Bound for Nowhere, finished 4 3/4 lengths clear of the maiden Bugle Barry, the longest shot on the board at 69-1, who finished third.
Jersey Street, who finished fourth at 9-2, was disqualified and placed last for interference on the turn. Made to Fit, a 37-1 outsider, was elevated to fourth.
A son of Bernardini trained by Chris Hartman for owner Joey Keith Davis, Balandeen completed the six furlongs on Tapeta in 1:10.31. He is now 3 for 10 with earnings of $170,694.
