Mr Dumas Collars Competition in Churchill Allowance

WSS Racing and Hooties Racing's Mr Dumas found the winner's circle on his third start of 2020 in an $85,000 allowance optional claiming race May 21 at Churchill Downs. 

With horses flooding the Louisville oval in the wake of loosened COVID-19 restrictions, Thursday's allowance field was heavy on stakes talent ready to get the ball rolling during an otherwise semi-stagnant racing season. Mr Dumas, who had been unraced since mid March, broke well from post 8 under Garcia Martin and settled just behind pacesetter Ritzy A.P..  

Ritzy A.P. led the field through six furlongs in unhurried fractions of :24.69, :49.19, and 1:13.46. Mr. Dumas kept within striking range of the leader before being pressured by Casa Creed and favorite Front Run the Fed who moved up as the field entered the turn to put pressure on the front runners. 

Mr. Dumas edged Ritzy A.P. by a head at the top of the stretch and was urged on by Martin to the wire. Ritzy A.P. held his ground and fought back on the inside but was collared at the wire by Mr Dumas who was declared the winner by a half-length. Final time for the one-mile turf race was 1:37.09. 

"He was pretty keen but we got into a good spot and he did it easily," Garcia said of Mr. Dumas.

Casa Creed finished third, one length ahead of Front Run the Fed. 

The victory was the first score for Mr Dumas since November 2019, when he landed the Commonwealth Turf (G3T) at Churchill Downs. With two off-the-board-finishes in stakes company in 2020, trainer Mike Maker said he was pleased with the efforts of his Majesticperfection colt. Mr Dumas is now a perfect 3-for-3 over the Matt Winn turf course. 

"It looked like he wanted to run around there again," Maker said. "He certainly loves this turf course."

Bred in Kentucky by Ramspring Farm, Mr Dumas is out of the More Than Ready  mare Ready Love, who most recently produced a filly by Always Dreaming  March 12. He improved his record to 4-0-3 from 10 starts with $262,879 in earnings.