Run Curtis Run Wires Rick Violette Stakes
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Run Curtis Run wins the Rick Violette Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
Michael Dubb and Michael Caruso's Run Curtis Run is now 2-for-2 after wiring the $93,000 Rick Violette Stakes for New York-bred 2-year-olds July 21 at Saratoga Race Course.
The Summer Front colt was a debut winner by a neck racing five furlongs on a sloppy track in an off-the-turf, state-bred maiden special weight July 2 at Belmont Park. Stretched out an extra eighth-mile for the Rick Violette, Run Curtis Run broke from the inside under jockey Jose Ortiz and paced the four-horse field. He led Ready A. P. through an opening quarter-mile in :22.77 and the half in :46.12 on a track labeled fast.
Ready A. P. challenged Run Curtis Run from the outside out of the turn, but Ortiz kept the pacesetter to task and opened up the lead when straightened for home. Run Curtis Run continued on to win by 3 3/4 lengths, stopping the clock in 1:12.48. Off at 3-1, the Mike Maker trainee paid $8 on a $2 win wager.
"He has some natural speed and with him drawing the inside post, it wasn't that hard to figure out in a small field," said Maker, who said Run Curtis Run will likely target the $200,000 Funny Cide Stakes Presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital for New York-bred juveniles at 6 1/2 furlongs Aug. 27 at the Spa.
Ortiz, who rode Run Curtis Run for the first time, said he was pleased with the trip.
"I broke quite well and he was fast out of there, so I didn't have to ask him for a lot," Ortiz said. "He put me on the lead and I was very happy with that. I had the rail and I wanted the lead.
"He was going nice and relaxed in the first part of the race and when I asked him to go, he was there for me. All credit goes to Mike, who had him ready, and the guys at the barn."
Ready A. P. bested Coinage by a neck for second. Surprise Boss (second in Run Curtis Run's maiden race) ran fourth and Barese scratched.
Run Curtis Run was bred by Larry Goichman out of the stakes-winning Forest Wildcat mare My Magic Moment, whose latest foal is a yearling filly by Accelerate . He was bought for $45,000 by Sean S. Perl Bloodstock out of Indian Creek's consignment to the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern Fall Yearling Sale. He has already earned back more than double that price with $96,250 from his two wins.
The Rick Violette is named for the longtime New York-based trainer and former president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association who passed away in October 2018.
"He was tough on me, but he just wanted me to get better," Ortiz said on riding for Violette. "He wanted to ride me so he wanted to teach me the right way and how he liked it. I learned a lot of good things with him, and I'm very happy to win this race. I'm sad he's not here.
"He was cranky sometimes, but it was always about looking out for the best for his guys, and I respect that. He was a great guy. He helped me a lot and he believed in me at a very young age."
Violette gave Ortiz his first two Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) mounts, with Samraat (fifth in 2014) and Upstart (18th in 2015).