Holy Boss gets first stakes win in Bachelor

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Holy Boss withstood pace pressure early, then held off a challenger late to win the first stakes race of his career Friday at Oaklawn in the $100,000 Bachelor. He won by a length over A M Milky Way, while it was another two lengths back to Hebbronville in third.

The Bachelor, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds, was part of the annual $3.3 million Racing Festival of the South. The series continues Saturday with four stakes led by the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby.

Holy Boss ($7) was bumped at the start of the Bachelor but quickly moved to the lead. He was pushed by Subtle Indian through an opening quarter in 21.85 seconds, then shook that rival through a half-mile in 45.15. In the late stages, Holy Boss held A M Milky Way at bay to cover six furlongs on a track rated fast in 1:09.58.

Luis Quinonez was aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen.

“I just stayed out of his way and let him run,” Quinonez said.

Quinonez picked up the mount Friday as Ricardo Santana Jr. was off his mounts due to illness.

Holy Boss has now won three of six starts. He earned $60,000 for the win for owner Jerry Durant to improve his bankroll to $150,490. Holy Boss is a son of Street Boss and was bred in Kentucky by Adena Springs.