Debut points out Paz the Bourbon in Lynbrook Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Despite the fact that Paz the Bourbon lost her first start, trainer Mark Hennig almost immediately targeted Sunday’s $125,000 Lynbrook Stakes for this New York-bred 2-year-old filly.

“I elected to wait and give her more time and wait on this spot, unless we saw something develop that made us want to duck this spot,” Hennig said Friday. “Figured we could wait on this, and if some killer came out beforehand, we could always go to a maiden race at Saratoga.”

There are no killers in the Lynbrook, the closing-day feature at Belmont Park, scheduled for six furlongs on the main track. Of the six entrants, only Wilburnmoney has won. The other five are maidens, including Miss Freeze, a first-time starter.

Paz the Bourbon finished second to R Precious Stones, a 22-1 shot, in her debut May 26. Jockey Joel Rosario had to steady Paz the Bourbon slightly soon after the start, and they were ninth, 13 lengths out of it, after the first quarter-mile. Paz the Bourbon came five wide around the turn, and despite being a little late with her lead change, she kept on coming, finishing second by 2 1/4 lengths over the third-place finisher.

“I thought she showed a lot of determination coming on like she did,” Hennig said. “You don’t see a lot of babies do that when they get that far back. She’s done well since.”

Wilburnmoney, a daughter of Wilburn, was professional in her debut, sitting behind horses before tipping three wide in the stretch and finishing well under Luis Saez to win by two lengths. Zenna, who finished second to her, is back in this field.

The Lynbrook will go as race 9 on a 10-race program that begins at 1:30 p.m. Eastern.

Following four dark days, racing shifts upstate to Saratoga beginning Friday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Paz the Bourbon, by Mission Impazible

Beyer: 60

◗ Shows five half-mile works since her first race.

◗ She is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Vinceremos, who finished second in his debut before winning a maiden race in his second start.

Wilburnmoney, by Wilburn

Beyer: 54

◗ Overcame the rail to win her debut by two lengths going 5 1/2 furlongs on June 16. Now, she is drawn outside in a six-horse field.

“She’s a big, good-looking filly,” trainer Gary Gullo said. “She was behind horses, took dirt. Nothing really bothers her. She’s always trained well.”

◗ Blew out a swift three furlongs in 35.20 seconds on Tuesday.

Christening, by Girolamo

Beyer: 34

◗ Finished sixth, 8 1/4 lengths behind Wilburnmoney, but had trouble in the race.

◗ In her only other start, she stumbled and lost her rider July 8. Trainer Gary Contessa said Christening hit her face against the ground and lost a tooth as a result.

◗ Gets a rider switch to Javier Castellano.