Impressive River Boyne points to Pasadena Stakes
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
ARCADIA, Calif. – The Irish-bred colt River Boyne is winning in a style this winter that suggests he could have a big season in the United States.
After a convincing maiden win on the opening-day program of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting Dec. 26, River Boyne won an allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option for 3-year-olds in Thursday’s seventh race.
Ridden by Flavien Prat, River Boyne closed from fifth in a field of 10 to win by an impressive 2 3/4 lengths.
“He’s got a serious turn of foot,” trainer Jeff Mullins said.
There will be no optional claimers for River Boyne in the near future.
Mullins said in the winner’s circle that River Boyne will be pointed to the $200,000 Pasadena Stakes at a mile on turf for 3-year-olds March 17. The race was worth $75,000 in past years, but received a purse increase by Santa Anita officials this year in an effort to give 3-year-olds a lucrative turf race at the winter-spring meeting.
Owned by Jed and Roberta Cohen and their family, River Boyne was bought for approximately $97,000 at auction in England last fall. He was winless in three starts in England and Ireland last year before finishing second after a slow start in his American debut at Del Mar on Nov. 24.
Gate issues are no longer an issue, although River Boyne did bobble slightly at the start Thursday.
“He stumbled, but he recovered quickly,” Mullins said.
Mullins was encouraged by the American debut of Buckstopper Kit, another European import owned by the Cohens who finished fourth behind River Boyne after encountering trouble on the turn.
“He galloped out like crazy,” he said.
Mullins and the Cohens are in the midst of a strong year. They have Itsinthepost, who won the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes in January and the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes on Feb. 3.
