Bim Bam outfights Interactif by a nose

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer David Brownlee said a Calder horsse such as Bim Bam never gets any respect. He will now!

Bim Bam, who won stakes on turf and dirt over his home track at 2, not only earned that respect but did it the hard way after surviving a stretch-long battle with 4-5 favorite Interactif to post a nose decision in Sunday's $125,000 at Gulfstream Park. It was another two lengths farther back to Asphalt in third.

Bim Bam, a homebred son of Deputy Wild Cat owned by the J D Farms, took advantage of a slow pace and a nicely judged ride by Eibar Coa to add the Hallandale Beach to his previous stakes victories in Calder's Foolish Pleasure and Appleton Turf.

Coa quickly sent Bim Bam to the lead and slowed the pace down to a relative walk, posting fractions of 24.60 seconds, 49.91, and 1:14.11 over the firm course. Interactif, with Kent Desormeaux aboard, forced the issue while a bit wide from the outset and appeared to have the leader measured as he drew alongside turning for home. Interactif even gained a short advantage between calls in late stretch but Bim Bam reasserted himself along the rail and had his nose down first at the wire.

Bim Bam ($10.60), beaten a neck by Nordic Truce three weeks earlier in the Dania Beach, completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.07.

"There was no speed in the race so the plan was to get to the front and slow it down and Eibar did a wonderful job," said Brownlee. "This horse went six furlongs in 1:08 and change in his last race. We know he'll fight back. He did it last time when he just got beat."

Brownlee said Bim Bam will remain on the grass and point for the Grade 3 Palm Beach at 1 1/8 miles on March 6.