Bustin It romps by 7 lengths in Rockville Centre Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – In what amounted to little more than a public workout, Bustin It made the lead soon after the start, shrugged off a mild challenge from slightly favored International Star, then galloped to a seven-length victory in Sunday’s $125,000 Rockville Centre Stakes at Belmont Park.

International Star, the only winner in the field of five New York-bred juvenile colts that went post-ward, finished second by 13 3/4 lengths over Midnight Nick. First-time starters Elusive New Yorker and Essence At Noon completed the order of finish. Cosmo Storm scratched.

Bustin It probably ran in a tougher maiden race when facing open company in his debut and finishing second to Nonna’s Boy in a June 13 race here. That effort certainly moved Bustin It forward as he dominated this group.

Under Rajiv Maragh, Bustin It jumped quickly out of the gate and was put into the three or four path while running an opening quarter of 22.87 seconds. International Star, under Irad Ortiz Jr., moved within a half-length of Bustin It shortly thereafter, but Bustin It ran away from him around the turn and came through the stretch while in hand under Maragh.

Bustin It, a son of Bustin Stones owned by Steve Barberino’s S J Bee Stable, Kuehne Racing, and Michael Mareina – who also is the trainer – covered the six furlongs in 1:11.69 and returned $4.10 as the second choice among two even-money favorites.

“It went pretty well,” Mareina said by phone from Saratoga where he watched the race. “Occasionally, it does. It was exactly what I told Rajiv to do. He went 21 and change last time. I said, ‘If you go 22 and change and open up and sit still and, when they come to you, open up again and break their hearts.’ And that’s what he did. He’s really a cool horse. He’s like an older horse.”

Bustin It was purchased out of last summer’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga preferred yearling auction for $70,000. He likely will head back to Saratoga for a possible start Aug. 24 in the $200,000 Funny Cide Stakes for New York-breds. Mareina said as long as there are lucrative New York-bred options, he will look at those first.

“Why do I have to run against open horses when I got that option?” Mareina said.

Martin wins 28-way shake for ‘Moment’

Revealing Moment became quite popular at the claim box Sunday, one day after her older full sister, Belle Gallantey, won the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap, beating Princess of Sylmar.

After she won a $25,000 claiming race on the turf Sunday, the 4-year-old Revealing Moment was the subject of a 28-way shake that was won by trainer Carlos Martin for the owner Our Sugar Bear Stables. Revealing Moment was sent out Sunday by Santa Lidia Stable and trainer Osvaldo Rojas.

Our Sugar Bear Stables is the racing operation of Billy Terrill, who is a brother-in-law to trainer Bruce Brown. Since Brown already had an owner who wanted to claim Revealing Moment, Terrill called Martin with whom he had horses in the past.

Even though there were 27 other people who wanted to claim the horse, Terrill told Martin they would win the shake because this was his late father Red Terrill’s birthday. Terrill was a successful trainer on this circuit.

“He said, ‘We’re going to win that shake,’ ” Martin said Terrill told him. “Sure enough.”

Martin said he was uncertain whether Terrill would race Revealing Moment or just wait to breed her or sell her to someone as a broodmare prospect.

“Selfishly, I’d like to run her,” Martin said. “She hadn’t been on the turf until the last time and she seems to like it.”

Revealing Moment was sent out Sunday by Santa Lidia Stable and trainer Osvaldo Rojas.