Rivers Run Deep breaks track record in Babst/Palacios repeat

Rivers Run Deep, the dominant sprinter among Ohio-breds the past two seasons, broke the Belterra Park track record for six furlongs in winning the $75,000 Edward Babst/Albert Palacios Memorial Handicap for the second time.

The 5-year-old Rivers Run Deep ($2.60), ridden by Albin Jimenez for trainer Chris Hartman, tracked pacesetter Dubacious through swift fractions of 21.39 and 44.31 seconds on the muddy, sealed track. Rivers Run Deep moved to the front approaching the eighth pole and drew clear by 2 1/2 lengths, completing the distance in 1:08.44. The previous record of 1:08.66 was set by Inherently on Oct 2, 2014.

It was the ninth stakes victory since May 2014 for Rivers Run Deep, a son of Ready’s Image. Overall, he has won 12 of 26 starts and $686,200.

Dubacious, making his first start since December, was second by four lengths. Silver Tongued won a three-horse photo for third by a neck over Astro and Boot Legger.