Bango notches third straight stakes with Good Lord
Bango sped to his third straight stakes victory Saturday by overhauling Sir Alfred James in the $73,250 Good Lord Stakes at Ellis Park in western Kentucky.
Fresh off wins in the Aristides and Kelly’s Landing at Churchill Downs, Bango proved clearly best when ridden by Marcelino Pedroza in the 6 1/2-furlong Good Lord. After ranging up to engage Sir Alfred James down the backstretch, the 4-year-old Congrats colt ultimately ran him into defeat, drawing off by five lengths when finishing in 1:14.63 over a fast track. He paid $4.20 as favorite in a field of five older horses reduced by the early scratches of Mocito Rojo and I’m Corfu.
Greg Foley trains Bango for the Tamaroak Partners of Fred and Debbie Schwartz, who bred the colt in Kentucky. Bango now has won eight of 19 starts, with the $46,000 winner’s share lifting his career bankroll to $505,197.
Sir Alfred James, the 3-2 second choice under Colby Hernandez, broke swiftly to open daylight almost immediately, but Bango was not long in catching up. Around the turn, those two went head and head before it became apparent leaving the quarter-pole that Pedroza had much more in reserve. Down the stretch, it was no contest, with Bango drawing clear under a vigorous hand ride. Guest Suite rallied late to finish just a length behind Sir Alfred James in third.
The $2 exacta (3-4) paid $7.20 and the $1 trifecta (3-4-6) returned $6.40.
The next stakes at the 31-day Ellis are set for the Aug. 7-8 weekend.