Next Bandit victorious in TTA Sales Futurity
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Next Bandit broke on top and sailed to a dominant, two and a half length win over Full Moons Arisin in the $142,930 colts and geldings division of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity at Lone Star Park on Saturday.
It was another length and a quarter back in third to Joyjet.
Next Bandit($9.40) set fractions of 21.44 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.17 for the half-mile before finishing five furlongs for 2-year-olds in 57.28.
"I figured we would get pressed by quite a few horses in the race, but nobody could keep up with him," said Eddie Martin, Jr., who rode Next Bandit for trainer Bret Calhoun.
Next Bandit, who is perfect in two career starts, earned $85,758 for his win Saturday. He is a son of Time Bandit and races for Coast To Coast Racing.
The Sales Futurity was delayed for at least 10 minutes after Full Moons Arisin sat down in the gate, unseating his rider, Kirk LeBlanc. LeBlanc was taken to a nearby hospital, and suffered a possible fracture to his right foot, according to officials with Lone Star.
Tim Doocy replaced LeBlanc on Full Moons Arisin.
Fillies division to Bluegrass Sara
Bluegrass Sara took the lead at the start of the $138,200 fillies division of the TTA Sales Futurity and never looked back for a two and a half length win over Hay Lauren. It was another five and a half lengths back in third to Calling Scarlett.
Birdie Barrage, the 4-5 favorite, clipped heels approaching the quarter pole and finished fourth.
Bluegrass Sara($8) covered five furlongs in 57.83 seconds to give her trainer, Steve Asmussen, his fourth win in the fillies division of the Sales Futurity in the last five years. Lonnie Meche rode the filly, who earned $82,920 for Heiligbrodt Racing Stable.
* Corey Lanerie, who won the Grade 2 Riva Ridge at Belmont on Saturday aboard Posse, went five for seven Friday night at his home track of Lone Star.
His five winners came in the second, with Knottybutnice($10.60); the third with Lawyer Lauren($2.40); the third with Delicious Devil($6); the ninth with One Hot Girl($7.40); and the 10th with Wild Native Lady($4.60).