Bobby's Wicked One blazes to victory in Duncan F. Kenner Stakes

NEW ORLEANS – You might say Bobby’s Wicked One coasted to an easy victory over just two rivals Saturday at Fair Grounds in the $100,000 Duncan F. Kenner Stakes, but it’s far from easy for a horse to run six furlongs in 1:08.44 at Fair Grounds.

That was the final time Bobby’s Wicked One clocked over a fast track, and despite Miguel Mena never asking his mount for run, it was the fastest six-furlong dirt race here since at least 2014. Bobby’s Wicked One ran 1:08.68 in the Thanksgiving Classic here in November and came into the Kenner with similar form.

“He’d been training so well,” said Mena.

Al Stall trains Bobby’s Wicked One for Autumn Hills Farms Racing Stable, and Stall is thinking big picture and long term with Bobby’s Wicked One – all the way out to November and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland. Five-year-old Bobby’s Wicked One ran his career record to 6-4-1 from 16 starts and has shown an affinity for the Keeneland main track, where he won the Commonwealth Stakes last spring. A race after that, Bobby’s Wicked One put up a fight finishing second to Mitole, who will be 2019 champion sprinter, in the Churchill Downs Stakes.

In the shorter term, Bobby’s Wicked One is likely to make his next start in the Count Fleet Stakes in April at Oaklawn Park.

Bobby’s Wicked One, by Speightstown out of Wicked Charm, by Ghostzapper, didn’t race between June and November, ran poorly with an excuse in his comeback run, and since has won two straight, both at Fair Grounds.

“He’s done well down here – did well last year, too,” said Stall.

Hog Creek Hustle held second over Do Share. Malpais and Pete’s Play Call were scratched.