Rruntoperfection returns quickly after maiden victory

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Rruntoperfection, who scored an emphatic maiden victory at Tampa Bay Downs last week, will be running on short rest in the featured second race here Saturday, a first-level, $22,500 allowance going seven furlongs on the main track. The race drew a field of six 3-year-old fillies, and all but one are in for the optional $75,000 claiming tag.

Rruntoperfection had finished fifth and fourth to begin her career before breaking through April 21, romping by 7 1/4 lengths in a $21,750 maiden special weight race going six furlongs. Gerald Bennett, poised to win a second straight training title here, said he attributes the filly’s vastly improved performance to a different bit he used to help her breathe better.

“It keeps her tongue down so she doesn’t shut her own air down and keeps her more open to breathe and get some air,” Bennett said. “I had scoped her, and she was shutting her air down, so we just made a couple of changes on her. She’s doing good, but it’s back a little quick.”

Rruntoperfection has had Edwin Gonzalez aboard for all three of her starts. Gonzalez, second in the local jockey standings to Daniel Centeno, hit the turf hard here Wednesday when his mount in the eighth race, Blake’s Magic, appeared to clip heels with another horse. Gonzalez was taken to a local hospital with a hip injury, but agent Mike Moran said Wednesday night that he didn’t expect Gonzalez to miss any race days.

Race 2

Key Contenders

Rruntoperfection, by Majesticperfection

Last 3 Beyers: 56-47-46

◗ Owned by Averill Racing LLC and CCF Racing Stable, the filly has posted improved Beyer Speed Figures in each of her starts.

Livin a Dream, by Munnings

Last 3 Beyers: 56-55-54

◗ This Chad Stewart trainee won her debut here in December before being well-beaten in a pair of stakes races and shows three recent breezes at Hunter Farm Training Center in Ocala, Fla., in preparation for her first start since Feb. 11.

Romantic Music, by Maclean’s Music

Last 3 Beyers: 76-73-66

◗ This filly has run three consecutive strong races on turf and might be scratched from this race in favor of another start on grass, according to trainer Derek Ryan.

Untaken, by Noonmark

Beyer: 58

◗ The only filly in this field not entered for the tag, she scored an impressive debut victory for trainer Bill Sienkewicz here April 2, taking a maiden $16,000 claiming race by 5 1/2 lengths that makes her the lone entrant in this field with a victory at this distance.