Senbei takes early lead to wire in A T Cole Stakes
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Senbei took advantage of a field lacking early speed, sprinted right to the lead and made every pole a winning one en route to a half-length victory over Bold Journey to prove a popular winner of the $125,000 A T Cole Stakes for New York-breds on the turf Saturday at Aqueduct.
Run Curtis Run finished three parts of a length farther back in third.
Senbei was making just his second start of the season and was coming off a much-needed outing after finishing fifth while racing near the rear of the field facing open company in the Elusive Quality Stakes on May 3. Senbei, who won the Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint over this same course during the fall, was returning against statebred competition for the first time since May 2023 at Finger Lakes.
With jockey Manny Franco back in the saddle for the first time in the last three starts, Senbei broke alertly and was sent along to control the pace from the outset, posting splits of 23.26 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.17 to the half over the firm surface. Senbei showed the way under patient handling, then dug in gamely when sharply roused to withstand and turn back a determined bid from Bold Journey through the final furlong.
Bold Journey, who finished second and was less than a head in front of Senbei in the Elusive Quality, raced forwardly placed after bumping with Run Curtis Run leaving the gate, engaged the leader upon settling into the stretch, but hung late. Run Curtis Run got bumped and steadied back several lengths after the break before recovering to finish best of all others down the center of the track at the end.
Twenty Six Black, who was fourth, a nose in front of Senbei in the Elusive Quality, was hustled along while saving ground throughout but never menaced the winner. Locke and Key prompted the early pace, then weakened to finish fifth and last.
Senbei is trained by Miguel Clement for the partnership of Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Darlene Bilinski. He completed the distance in 1:07.47 and returned $4.90 as the tepid favorite.
“Every time someone came to make a challenge, he found a bit more,” Clement said. “I do think there was a bit more in the tank. Nevertheless, sometimes making things easy and just going straight to the front in a paceless affair is the right way to go about things. Especially with the best horse.”
Franco, who was aboard Senbei for his most important victory in the Belmont Turf Sprint, concurred with Clement about taking advantage of the pace scenario or lack thereof in the A T Cole.
“When I came to the paddock, I told Miguel, ‘There’s no speed in the race and I think I’m on the fastest horse.’ I didn’t want to make it too complicated. If he broke on top, I’m going to take it, so that’s what I did.”
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