Bigger game awaits Supah Blitz

Supah Blitz showed both his class and versatility with an easy 4 3/4-length victory over The Name's Bond and three other 3-year-olds in Saturday's $50,000 Roman Brother Stakes at Calder in Miami. The Roman Brother was taken off the turf and switched to a sloppy main track following late morning showers.

The victory was the second straight for Supah Blitz since his 13th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. In his previous start, Supah Blitz won a second-level allowance race on the turf.

"I'd rather the race today had been on the turf but that's all right," said trainer Manny Tortora. "There isn't anything for him here for a while so we'll look around at some options out of town."

Tortora said the $600,000 West Virginia Derby on Aug. 9 at Mountaineer Park was one possibility, along with the Grade 1, $400,000 Secretariat on the turf at Arlington the following weekend.

Supah Blitz, with jockey Jesus Castanon aboard for the first time, stalked the early pace of Native Genius and King Cassis. Supah Blitz joined the leaders on the far turn, was headed briefly by The Name's Bond after he swept four wide to the front near the quarter pole, then readily drew clear once set down by Castanon entering the stretch.

The Name's Bond was easily second best, finishing 14 3/4 lengths in front of King Cassia. Native Genius was fourth while Freedom Lane was eased to the wire. Magic Mecke was scratched after the Roman Brother came off the grass.

Supah Blitz ($3.60) covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.77.