Red Run surges in Texas Turf Mile
Red Run developed early as a 2-year-old and was quick, debuting with a five-furlong maiden win last May at Churchill Downs. Yet it turns out Red Run may be a better turf miler than dirt sprinter.
Winning for the first time since that debut score, Red Run launched a strong bid at the five-sixteenths pole and sling-shotted to victory Sunday at Sam Houston Race Park in the $200,000 Texas Turf Mile.
Red Run and Joel Rosario crossed the finish a half-length better than first-time turfer Bloodline, who ran well in defeat and was 1 1/4 lengths better than 17-10 race-favorite Stolen Base, who found his best stride too late and finished third.
Trained by Steve Asmussen for Winchell Thoroughbreds, Red Run paid $12.80 to win and was timed in 1:37.75 for the one-mile trip over firm going.
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Following his debut win, Red Run finished unplaced in a pair of dirt-sprint stakes, taking a fourth-start step forward when a closing fourth of 10 late last summer in the $500,000 Kentucky Juvenile Mile. Given a chance in a dirt-route allowance Nov. 27, Red Run finished a respectable second at Churchill, but Sunday’s showing was his best yet.
Breaking from post 10, Red Run settled in eighth near the back of the field as Chanceaux, Malibu Thunder and Dowagiac Chief volleyed through an opening quarter-mile in 22.99 seconds, Malibu Thunder, a 125-1 shot, emerging to set the half-mile split, a legitimate 47.18. Dowagiac Chief would hold on to finish fourth, but the pace proved too taxing for all three front-runners, Red Run beginning to gain momentum as he moved onto the far turn.
Coming sharply with a three-wide run, Red Run had closed to within a length of the lead as the field straightened for the finish, collaring Bloodline in the final 50 yards before pushing out to the final margin.
Bloodline, racing well off the pace but several lengths in front of Red Run, finished well for the place, while Stolen Base, last through the early and middle stages, made the sharpest move into the homestretch but couldn’t quite sustain it.
Red Run, a Kentucky homebred, is by Gun Runner out of Red House, by Tapit.
Seven Scents tastes Turf Sprint success
Seven Scents got the jump on favored Bad Beat Brian and won the $100,000 Turf Sprint by 1 1/2 lengths over the even-money chalk.
Trainer Karl Broberg lost Seven Scents at the claiming box for $35,000 this past July at Lone Star, but reclaimed the gelding for $25,000 on Jan. 6 at Fair Grounds. Seven Scents ran back eight days later and finished a solid second in a Fair Grounds allowance race, and he took a considerable step forward Sunday.
Tracking the pace from third while racing on the rail under Reylu Gutierrez, Seven Scents was tipped outside dueling leaders in upper stretch, hitting the front in the final furlong and powering clear to win decisively. Bad Beat Brian, closing from sixth, was a half-length better than Tut’s Revenge, who fought for the lead with fifth-place Grinning Tiger.
Seven Scents ran five furlongs over firm going in 56.86 and paid $12.20 to win. Broberg trains the 6-year-old gelding, a son of Goldencents and the Broken Vow mare, Forever Vow, for Claiming Game Racing.