Century Mile

Sir Bronx gets perfect ride to win Don Getty Handicap

Randy Goulding|Jul 21, 2019

Sir Bronx came from a stalking position to capture the $50,000 Don Getty Handicap on Sunday at Century Mile. He paid $6.40 for his one-length win over Shimshine in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up.

A Florida-bred son of Bellamy Road, Sir Bronx broke alertly from post 4 and after contesting for the lead early he was put under a tight hold by Rigo Sarmiento and sat just off Killin Me Smalls and Stone Carver who dueled through a half-mile in 47.66 seconds. He was still in the garden spot at the six-furlong mark, started to move into serious contention midway through the stretch turn, and under strong urging from Sarmiento took over the lead midstretch. Shimshine rallied late to finish a neck in front of Red River Bear who came from a stalking position.

The final time over a fast track was 1:51.17.

Sir Bronx is trained by Rick Hedge who had high praise for Sarmiento.

“Rigo gave him a hell of a ride to take him off the speed,” Hedge said. “Things change when they leave the gate, and we thought Sir Bronx would be sitting second behind Stone Carver. We never thought Killin Me Smiles would be up there, and it was just a great move by Rigo to let those two go.”
Gem Alta, the 2-1 favorite, never recovered after being forced out going into the first turn by Primo Touch and finished last.

Sir Bronx races for Amac Racing Stables.

Daz Lin Dawn ends losing streak in Smith Handicap

Daz Lin Dawn, $14.30, ended an eight-race losing streak with a front-running score in the $50,000 R.K. “Red” Smith Handicap for fillies and mares. It was her first victory since she won the 2017 British Columbia Oaks at Hastings.

Ridden by Dane Nelson, the 5-year-old daughter of Popular set moderate interior fractions of 24.74 and 48.48 on her way to a one-length victory over Smart Fix who rallied from last in the 1 1/16-mile race. Blues Roar tracked the leader before finishing third as the favorite.

The final time was 1:45.23.

Trained by Nancy Betts, Daz Lin Dawn is owned by Deltin Stable and Ed Welsh.