Rosenblum, Rice hope good times continue for newly acquired Les Bon Temps
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Les Bon Temps, winner of the $500,000 Fifth Avenue division of the New York Stallion Stakes on Dec. 17, is now with trainer Linda Rice after one of her clients, Sheila Rosenblum, purchased majority interest in the 3-year-old New York-bred filly.
Rice said Les Bon Temps is one of three New York-bred fillies Rosenblum purchased a majority interest in prior to the end of 2022 and is now with Rice. Rosenblum, who races under the name Lady Sheila, and Rice also bought into Starry Midnight, a debut winner for trainer Jorge Abreu on Nov. 27, and an unnamed 2-year-old filly by Gun Runner.
Rice said Rosenblum was looking for New York-bred fillies based on prior success she had with New York-bred fillies La Verdad, the Eclipse Award-winning female sprinter of 2015, and her half-sister Hot City Girl.
Les Bon Temps, previously owned fully by Deuce Greathouse, Cindy Hutson, and Brett Setzer, began her campaign in the barn of Norm Casse, winning one of three starts. With the idea of being based in New York, Les Bon Temps was moved to Mike Maker. After a third-place finish in the Joseph A. Gimma on Sept. 23, Les Bon Temps won the Maid of the Mist Stakes on Oct. 30 and, as a progeny of the New York-based stallion Central Banker, was eligible for the Fifth Avenue. She won that race by 1 1/4 lengths.
Though Les Bon Temps is nominated to next Saturday’s $100,000 Busanda Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, Rice said she is unlikely to run back in that spot. Rice said the $100,000 Franklin Square on Jan. 22 and $100,000 Maddie May on Feb. 19 – both for New York-breds – are more likely spots.
“I need a little time to get to know her,” Rice said. “I thought the New York-bred races would be more suitable right now.”
Starry Midnight, a daughter of Connect previously owned in full by Bloodlines Racing Partnerships, rallied from 10 lengths back to win a 6 1/2-furlong New York-bred maiden by a head. She earned a 57 Beyer Speed Figure.
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