California invader Phantom Boss takes Bashford Manor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rafael Bejarano made a triumphant return to his old stomping grounds when guiding Phantom Boss to a hard-fought score in the 118th running of the Grade 3, $125,000 Bashford Manor Stakes on Saturday, closing day of the Churchill Downs spring meet.

Bejarano, the 37-year-old Peru native who launched a successful career when riding for several years in Kentucky prior to moving in 2007 to Southern California, said he had complete confidence in Phantom Boss in the six-furlong race.

“I’ve been riding him since he first came to the track,” said Bejarano. “I’ve always believed in this horse. I thought he was a real professional.”

Breaking from post 1 in a field of eight 2-year-old colts and geldings, Phantom Boss rated just behind the early leader, Verb, before angling widest for the drive. At the eighth pole, with a four-way scramble unfolding, the California-bred colt drove past the other three to prevail by three-quarters of a length. He paid $5 as the favorite when finishing in 1:10.78 over a fast track.

Rowdy Yates, prominent throughout, finished second as the 9-5 second choice and was followed by Verb and Two Last Words. Alec and Arthur, the 7-1 fourth choice, broke very slowly to lose all chance and was eased down the stretch.

The victory came in the first starter at Churchill for trainer Jorge Periban, a longtime veteran of the Southern California circuit.

“I’ve never been here before,” said Periban. “I told my wife, this is the best place to be. It’s beautiful.”

Phantom Boss is owned by the four-way partnership of Bada Beng Racing, Tom Beckerle, Terry Lovingier, and Amanda Navarro. The chestnut Shackleford colt was coming off a pair of Santa Anita maiden races, the latest an easy win over statebreds on June 2.

The stakes victory was the first at Churchill for Bejarano since he won the American Turf aboard Silver Max in May 2012.

Magic Dance ($2.60) wins Debutante

One race earlier, Magic Dance took over for front-running Cholula Lips leaving the eighth pole on her way to a popular 1 1/2-length triumph in the filly counterpart to the Bashford Manor, the 119th running of the $125,000 Debutante Stakes. She returned $2.60 as a heavy favorite after finishing six furlongs in 1:10.26.

Always within striking range under Ricardo Santana Jr., Magic Dance stayed unbeaten in two career starters for her owner-breeder, the Three Chimneys Farm of Goncalo Torrealba. The More Than Ready filly was coming off a sharp debut victory.

“She put herself in a great spot,” said Santana. “Turning for home, I knew I had plenty of horse. I was waiting until almost the sixteenth pole to let her go and she gave me a nice kick.”

“It was a solid time for second-time out,” said winning trainer Steven Asmussen. “She’s an excellent 2-year-old and I’m very proud of her.”

Cholula Lips, in from California for Mike Harrington, held second, another 2 1/4 lengths before Lady Glamour in a field of eight. Indy Takes Charge was fourth as the 4-1 second choice.

Magic Dance will be among the Asmussen horses departing soon for the upcoming meet at Saratoga, where she will be pointed to major events in the division.

Line Judge ($26) takes Kelly’s Landing

Prior to the 2-year-old stakes, Line Judge looped the field leaving the final turn en route to a 3 1/4-length triumph in the $120,600 Kelly’s Landing, helping to keep trainer Peter Miller hot in the final few days of the meet.

Ridden by Corey Lanerie, Line Judge was making his first start since being claimed in late May for $62,500 by Miller on behalf of owner Tom Kagele. The 5-year-old horse by Spring at Last finished seven furlongs in a quick 1:21.35 and now has won 12 of 25 career starts.

“They had this horse ready to run,” said Lanerie. “He got away real sharp, but then right away, he relaxed for me. When I called on him, he just spurted right on by them.”

Transatlantic Kiss was second, Kowboy Karma was third, and favored Uncontested faded to fourth in a field of eight older horses. Warrior’s Club, the morning-line favorite, was scratched by trainer D. Wayne Lukas to await the Grade 2 John Nerud next Saturday (July 6) at Belmont Park.

Miller, based primarily in Southern California, began the Churchill meet 1 for 30 before winning with five of his next eight starters, including Om ($4.80) in a $106,392 turf-sprint allowance on the Saturday card. Om, owned by the Sareen Family Trust, held on for a nose victory over Totally Boss.

The Om race was marred by the post-race death of Will Call, who collapsed from an apparent cardiac event when being led back to the stable area. The 5-year-old horse won six of 17 starts and $353,899 for owner-breeder Richard Klein.

$2,907 payoff in Single 6

With the 38-day meet ending Saturday, a mandatory disbursement of the Single 6 pool attracted $1,597,313 in new bets atop a carryover jackpot of $327,613.

Each winning 20-cent ticket was worth $2,907.54.The sequence spanned races 7-12 and included all three stakes. The jackpot had not been swept by a solo winning ticket since May 27.

The winning numbers were 4-5-12-7-1-4. Their respective odds were 4-1, 12-1, 7-5, 1-5, 3-2, and 5-2.

Asmussen, Lanerie earn titles

Asmussen extended his own record by topping the spring standings with 28 wins, marking the 21st time the Hall of Fame trainer has won or shared a meet title at Churchill.

Lanerie rode 43 winners, making this the 17th time he has won or shared a meet riding title, all since 2012.

There was a three-way tie for leading owner between Calumet Farm, Ken and Sarah Ramsey, and Maggi Moss (six wins apiece).

Asmussen and Lanerie both were recognized in separate tributes between races Saturday.

► Live action on the circuit moves Sunday to Ellis Park in western Kentucky for a 29-day meet that runs through Sept. 2. The 11-day September meet at Churchill begins Sept. 13.