Bump Start connects at 14-1 in Danzig Stakes

Bump Start, the second longest shot on the board, came from off the pace to spring a surprise in Saturday’s $50,000 Danzig Stakes for Pennsylvania-bred 3-year-olds at Penn National.

In his only previous start this year, Bump Start ($31) finished last of six in a first-level allowance on the Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs. His lone career victory prior to the Danzig came sprinting on dirt in his career debut last August at Indiana Downs.

Ridden for the first time by Alex Cintron for trainer Kellyn Gorder and owner TK Stables, Bump Start made a five-wide bid from third turning for home, drew clear inside the sixteenth pole, and scored by 1 1/2 lengths after six furlongs in 1:11.58. Johnny Jump Up was a clear second at 17-1, 2 ½ lengths in front of Change of Seasons, the 9-5 second choice. Fourth and Long, part of a coupled entry favored at 6-5, finished fourth.

In the co-featured $50,000 New Start for Pennsylvania-bred 3-year-old fillies, locally based Raging Smoke ($7.60) collected her fourth career victory in nine starts. Ridden by David Cora for trainer Bernie Houghton, Raging Smoke, a daughter of More Smoke owned by Harry Nye III, ran six furlongs in 1:10.54 and won by three-quarters of a length after racing up front throughout the race.

Queen to Be, trained by Todd Pletcher, edged 9-5 favorite Pixie Dust for second.