West End Kid runs win streak to three in Pennine Ridge
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – West End Kid continued his rapid advance in the nation’s 3-year-old turf division by winning his third consecutive start in Thursday’s Grade 3 Pennine Ridge Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Saratoga.
West End Kid won a maiden race at Keeneland in April, and an allowance race at Churchill Downs on May 8 leading to the Pennine Ridge, his first appearance in a stakes.
The manner of his victory on Thursday, stalking the pace before taking the lead in early stretch, left winning jockey Tyler Gaffalione enthusiastic about the colt’s summer campaign.
“I don’t think we’ve gotten to the bottom of him yet,” Gaffalione said.
Sent off favored, West End Kid ($4.14) was timed in 1:40.94 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 87.
West End Kid broke from the outside in a field of nine. Gaffalione urged West End Kid forward at the start and into a stalking position behind 78-1 Chips and Fish, who set a slow pace of 24.28 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 49.14 for a half-mile.
West End Kid took the lead leaving the turn with a two-wide move. He was challenged by 11-1 Blackmail, but quickly repelled the threat.
“It was him losing his concentration,” Gaffalione said. “He’s still learning.”
West End Kid led by a length with a furlong remaining and won by 1 1/4 lengths over Blackmail.
Blackmail, winner of the Woodhaven Stakes at a mile on turf at Aqueduct on April 25, finished a half-length in front of 6-1 Bottas, who had not raced since a ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar last October.
Blackmail was third on the backstretch and was hampered by the race’s slow tempo, according to trainer Mark Casse.
“I thought it was a good effort, especially with no pace,” Casse said.
Glavine, the sharp winner of a maiden race at Aqueduct on May 10, finished fourth, followed by Noble Dynasty, Time for America, Blinging It Back, Asked and Answered, and Chips and Fish.
West End Kid, who is by Twirling Candy, has won 3 of 4 starts and earned $304,954. West End Kid races for Mo Speed Racing and trainer Will Walden.
The win on Thursday is likely to lead to more lucrative races this summer. Walden mentioned Grade 1, $750,000 turf races at Saratoga such as the Belmont Derby at 1 1/8 miles on July 4, and the Saratoga Derby at 1 3/16 miles on Aug. 8 as options, along with the Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Colonial Downs on Aug. 1.
“We’ve had two races back-to-back really quick,” Walden said. “He’s still figuring it out. He’s super talented.”
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