Rinaldi's NYSS Spectacular Bid upset adds to happy day for Team Bond

ELMONT, N.Y. – Jim Bond was notably absent from the winner’s circle after Rinaldi pulled a 10-1 upset in the $150,000 Spectacular Bid division of the New York Stallion Stakes for 3-year-olds Sunday at Belmont Park. At least he had a legitimate excuse.

Bond was in Saratoga where his youngest son, Ryan, on Sunday afternoon had just gotten married to his longtime girlfriend Emily Taylor. The ceremony concluded just in time for Bond and friends to watch the race on his cellphone.

“What a great day,” Bond said. “Everybody was hooting and hollering.”

Rinaldi was running back just 17 days after he finished third in his debut here at odds of 29-1. Bond said that Rinaldi had acted up in the gate that day and he brought him back to Saratoga “to calm him down.”

Though he was running a maiden back in a stakes on just 17 days rest, Bond figured “Let’s take a shot.” The decision was made easier since not only is Bond the trainer, but he and his wife Tina own Rinaldi as well.

Under Luis Saez, Rinaldi broke sharply and from the outside, stalked the speed of Thorny Tale through a half mile in 22.58 seconds and a quarter in 45.73.

Rinaldi finally got by Thorny Tale at the eighth pole and was able to hold off the late-running Funny Guy, the 2-1 favorite, by three-quarters of a length. Funny Guy was second by 2 1/2 lengths over Thorny Tale. He was followed, in order, by Smooth Tales, Analyzethisandthat, Better Bank On It, Magical Tale, Veterans Beach, and Coach Villa. Blindwillie McTell was scratched.

A poor start hindered Rinaldi in his debut, yet he was only beaten 1 3/4 lengths.

“Last time he broke from the inside post and we were running from behind horses, today he was in a better post, he broke great and he was right there,” Saez said. “I was just waiting for the stretch, when I asked him he responded.”