Risky Proposition pays off handsomely in Let It Ride Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Fortune smiled on trainer Bill Spawr and the ownership group of Risky Proposition, who won the $79,840 Let It Ride Stakes on Saturday at Del Mar, a race he wouldn’t have been in had a first-level allowance for Saturday filled.

Instead, when only four runners were put in the allowance, the race was not used, and so Risky Proposition ended up having to make his stakes debut versus six rivals against whom he was the longest shot, at 22-1.

But Risky Proposition proved up to the task. Fifth for the first six furlongs of the one-mile grass race for 3-year-olds, he rallied down the center of the course under Joe Talamo to beat 14-1 Choo Choo by three-quarters of a length and become the latest in a long line of claims turned stakes winners – Exchange, Sensational Star, Skye Diamonds, etc. – for Spawr.

“Better to be lucky than good,” Spawr said, referring the allowance race. “I’m glad it didn’t fill.”

Risky Proposition ($47) completed one mile on firm turf in 1:34.61.

This was the third start Risky Proposition has made for Spawr since he was claimed for $50,000 during the summer meet here by a partnership that includes Tom Acker, Barry and Judy Becker, Michael Bloom, Jon Lindo, and Tom Wafer. Spawr said it was Lindo who initially broached the idea of claiming Risky Proposition. But they’ve worked as a team for 30 years, and no claim gets made unless Spawr – who marks legs every race, every day – signs off on it.

“He’s a good-bodied horse. I liked the breeding,” Spawr said of Risky Prosposition, a gelding by Bodemeister. “He’s got a lot of length to him.”

Risky Proposition finished sixth of seven in a seven-furlong dirt race the day he was claimed after starting from the rail. Put back on turf, he was fourth at Del Mar and then second at Santa Anita in first-level allowance races.

Joe Talamo has ridden Risky Proposition in his last six starts, including Saturday.

After his first race for Spawr, Talamo told the trainer, “Don’t change a thing. Especially the rider.”

The Let It Ride was the third victory in nine lifetime starts for Risky Proposition, who earned $46,680 on Saturday, meaning his owners are out after three starts. They may be inclined to really roll the dice next time. Spawr said the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby in three weeks could be tried, being as he believes Risky Proposition will appreciate that race’s 1 1/8 miles.

“The longer the better for him,” Spawr said.