My Pardner Cal dominates Loyalty

My Pardner Cal, who flashed high early speed and faded in his career debut a month ago, didn’t stop on Saturday, splashing his way to an easy victory over a sloppy track in the $75,000 Loyalty Stakes for Ohio-bred 2-year-olds at Belterra Park.

Within the first few strides out of the gate under leading rider Perry Ouzts, My Pardner Cal ($4.60) was well in front of his eight rivals – all of them maidens. He remained two to three lengths clear through fractions of 22.30 and 45.91 seconds. He opened up an eight-length advantage at the eighth pole. Bold Johnny, a first-time starter based in Kentucky, got pinched back at the start and cut into My Pardner Cal's big lead, making up 4 1/4 lengths in the final furlong, but had to settle for second as the 9-5 second choice. My Pardner Call was 3 3/4 lengths in front at the wire after six furlongs in 1:12.55. Lunar Mills checked in third at 23-1, 2 3/4 lengths behind the runner-up.

A son of Big Atlantic, My Pardner Cal is trained by Larry Smith for owner Richard Alderson.