Blinkers off gives Bodacious new outlook in I'm Smokin

For a 2-year-old, Bodacious looked like his old self racing without blinkers for the first time in Friday’s $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes for statebreds at Del Mar.

Bodacious led throughout the I’m Smokin Stakes under jockey Tyler Baze, pulling clear to win by three lengths over Style Cat.

The decision to remove blinkers helped Bodacious, according to trainer Jorge Periban. He watched Bodacious finish sixth in the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 30, and sixth again after a troubled trip in the Graduation Stakes for state-breds at Del Mar on Aug. 9.

Periban thought Bodacious would be more comfortable without the equipment.

“Some horses get a little scared” wearing blinkers, Periban said after Friday’s win.

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The I’m Smokin Stakes was the second win in four starts for Bodacious. He won a maiden race for California-breds at 4 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on May 3 while leading throughout. Bodacious set the pace in that race.

On Friday, Bodacious was in front through an early pace of 22.10 seconds for the opening quarter-mile. Style Cat (3-1) stalked Bodacious through a half-mile in 45.42 seconds, but could not close ground on the leader.

Bodacious ($8.40) ran six furlongs in 1:10.77 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 69. Only five started and not all of them had good trip.

Shea Brennan, the 3-5 favorite on the basis of an impressive come-from-behind win in a maiden race for state-breds at Del Mar on July 26, broke slowly. On the backstretch, Shea Brennan rushed forward to be third behind Bodacious while racing on the inside. Jockey Kyle Frey had to briefly check Shea Brennan.

Entering the stretch, Shea Brennan was third while continuing on the inside, but was unable to close ground and finished 3 3/4 lengths behind Bodacious.

The Gypsy Cowboy and Timty completed the order of finish in the small field. R Heisman, the morning-line favorite, was withdrawn in favor of a start in Sunday’s Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, on closing day of the track’s summer meeting.

Bodacious has earned $93,400. By the Union Rags stallion Smokem, Bodacious races for the partnership of Griffin Stables, Terry Lovingier, and Paul Sabesky. Lovingier bred Bodacious.

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