Bobrovsky catches Monster in Skidmore Stakes
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Dale Romans said Bobrovsky hadn’t been on the grass since he left the paddock as a yearling when he stepped on the turf and walked to the gate for Saturday’s $150,000 Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga.
His unfamiliarity with the surface proved no problem for the lightly raced 2-year-old, who ran down the pacesetting Monster in the final sixteenth of a mile to register a 1 3/4-length victory in making his stakes debut in the 5 1/2-furlong Skidmore.
Bobrovsky, named for the star goaltender for the two-time reigning Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers, came into the Skidmore off a sensational 10 1/2-length maiden victory over the main track here just 23 days ago. Romans had planned on working the son of Daredevil over the Oklahoma turf course here last weekend, but had to cancel the drill after Bobrovsky “got a little too fast” training over the main track the morning before the scheduled drill.
With Junior Alvarado aboard for the first time, Bobrovsky broke well before easing back off the early pace of Monster, who also entered the Skidmore off a one-sided maiden win in his previous start. Bobrovsky came three wide while commencing his rally leaving the turn, gradually overtook the leader approaching the sixteenth marker before edging clear at the end.
Monster, idle since winning his maiden by nine lengths when making his turf debut at Gulfstream Park on May 23, set lively fractions of 21.85 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.54 for the half, remained clear through midstretch, but could not resist the winner. It was another three lengths farther back to the 4-5 favorite Spirit of New York. Tough Critic finished a disappointing fourth. Malus was eased to the wire and vanned off after the race, but fortunately suffered no serious injury, per track veterinarians.
Bobrovsky is owned in partnership by Romans and Steve Berg. He completed the distance over a firm course in 1:02.75 seconds and paid $9.40.
“If they like it they like it, if they don’t they don’t,” Romans said in regards to Bobrovsky’s lack of any previous experience on the grass. “He’s deep in pedigree for the turf, so I was confident he would handle it okay. I was real pleased with his position down the backstretch, although a little worried at first not knowing if he could pass a horse like he eventually did. I was really happy he was able to do that.”
Romans said he plans to keep Bobrovsky on the turf for the time being with the $1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint going 6 1/2 furlongs on August 30 a possible option.
“It’s back a little quick, but we’ve got to take a look at it for that kind of money,” Romans said.
Jose D’Angelo, who trains Monster, said he was pleased with his horse’s effort even in defeat.
“He’s explosive from the gate as we know, but probably the time off he had between races plus the extra half-furlong was the difference today,” D’Angelo said. “But overall, I thought he ran pretty well.”
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