The Name's Bond romps in off-the-turf Simply Majestic

MIAMI - A drying out racetrack and a fast pace added up to an easy victory for The Name's Bond in Saturday's $75,000 Simply Majestic Stakes at Calder. The Simply Majestic was originally scheduled for the turf but was moved to a "good" main track due to several days of steady rain.

The Name's Bond put in a steady rally from the half-mile pole to wear down the pacesetter, Hear No Evil, in early stretch before drawing off to a 6 3/4-length victory. Hear No Evil, the 9-5 favorite in a full field of 12 3-year-olds, was pressed through an opening quarter-mile of 22.74 seconds by Millennium Storm before drawing clear down the backstretch. He continued to set a fast pace over the off track and did well to finish second, 2 1/2 lengths in front of the ground-saving Sea Pleasure.

The Name's Bond, who was coming off a 10th-place finish in the Gleaming Channel on turf here May 5, is owned by his breeders, Annabell and William Murphy, and trained by Frank Gomez. He returned $10.60 after covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.05.

The Name's Bond gave jockey Gary Boulanger his third victory on the card.

"The track was wet but drying out," said Gomez. "He didn't run his race last time and I can't tell you why. I still think he can go turf or dirt. He seems to be more comfortable sitting a little off the pace and there was a good pace in front of him today."