Mr Dumas Scores in Talent-Rich Churchill Allowance

WSS Racing and Hooties Racing's Mr Dumas found the winner's circle in his third start of 2020 in an $84,595 allowance optional claiming race May 21 at Churchill Downs. 

With horses flooding the Louisville oval in the wake of loosened COVID-19 restrictions, the field was heavy on stakes talent ready to get the ball rolling during an otherwise stagnant racing season. Mr Dumas, who had been unraced since late March, broke well from post 8 under Martin Garcia 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 to pressure the frontrunners as the field entered the turn. 

Mr Dumas took the lead by a head over Ritzy A. P. at the top of the stretch and was urged on by Garcia to the wire. Ritzy A. P. held his ground and fought back on the inside but was a half-length short at the wire. The final time for the one-mile race on firm turf 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, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Front Run the Fed. 

The victory was the first for Mr Dumas since November, when he landed the Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs. Trainer Mike Maker said he was pleased with the efforts of his Majesticperfection colt after two off-the-board finishes in stakes company in 2020. Mr Dumas is now 3-for-3 on 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 produced a filly by Always Dreaming  March 12. Mr Dumas improved his record to 4-0-3 from 10 starts with $262,879 in earnings.