Renaisance Frolic upsets Bear's Den Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Renaisance Frolic returned from a four-month vacation to upset the $75,000 Bear’s Den Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Renaisance Frolic wore down the 7-5 Gemonteer in early stretch before edging clear to a one-length victory.

Under a perfectly judged ride by Nik Juarez, Renaisance Frolic raced within easy striking distance of the pacesetting Gemonteer while saving ground from the outset. Juarez found ample room to launch his bid when easing out into the stretch, engaging the favorite at the top of the lane before proving clearly best at the end.

Gemonteer, who had to be used a bit to make the lead from his outside post, tried to fight back when headed by the winner but could not match strides near the end. Cometin rallied mildly to finish another half-length farther back in third.

Renaisance Frolic, a homebred son of Paynter owned by Stride Rite Racing Stable, was a stakes winner on dirt here at 2 and finished third over the local turf course in the Kitten’s Joy earlier this season. He had not started since finishing a distant fourth over the main track under first-level allowance conditions on May 28.

Renaisance Frolic covered 7 1/2 furlongs over a firm course in 1:31.14 and paid a surprisingly generous $33.60. He was given an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He just needed a break,” Fawkes said when asked about the time off he gave Renaisance Frolic late this spring and through much of the summer.

“I just took him out to the house for about three months and I think he only worked the one five-eighths. I was concerned he might need the race, I told the rider if he gets tired don’t beat him up. He just didn’t get tired. Cornelio (Velasquez) worked him last week and afterwards, he said run him.”

Fawkes was also quick to give Juarez credit for a perfect trip.

“I told Nik he just had to hold him together,” Fawkes said. “He was running over horses at the three-eighths pole. He was just looking for room. I was thrilled. Great ride. Nice horse. And I think he’ll get better as he gets older.”