Point Me By Charges to Bruce D. Score
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Photo: Coady Photography
Point Me By wins the Bruce D. Stakes at Arlington International Racecourse
Point Me By became the first grade 1 winner for his sire Point of Entry with a 2 3/4-length victory Aug. 14 in the $300,000 Bruce D. Stakes (G1T) at Arlington International Racecourse.
Trained by Eddie Kenneally for Homewrecker Racing and ridden by Luis Saez, the 3-year-old colt chased down the frontrunners off the turn for home after tracking fifth early in the mile turf race. He ran past Tango Tango Tango and held off the late run of Ginsburned , who settled for third.
The Bruce D. Stakes, formerly known as the Secretariat, was run on what many expect to be the final international card of racing at Arlington, the Illinois track slated to be sold by owner Churchill Downs Inc. The marquee race of the day was the Mr. D. Stakes (G1T), which used to be known as the Arlington Million.
"To get a grade 1 on this day here is just great," owner Ron Rashinski said. "I kind of feel bad we won't be back next year to try the (Arlington) Million."
Saez tucked Point Me By in along the hedge early after breaking well from post 6, as Like a Saltshaker showed the way through opening fractions of :25.03 and :50.04. As three-quarters went in 1:13.96 and after moving up through the second turn, Saez shifted out and split horses. Point Me By found another gear, put Tango Tango Tango in the rearview mirror despite bumping soundly when that rival came out, and quickly drew away to victory.
The final time was 1:37.70 on a good turf course. Point Me By was sent off as the 8-5 favorite in a nine-horse field and returned $5.40 on a $2 win ticket.
Kenneally sent Point Me By in off a fourth in allowance company July 15 at Saratoga Race Course. The Bruce D. was just his third start, and joins a June 20 maiden special weight score at first asking at Churchill Downs. His earnings now stand at $238,268.
"He ran quite well at Saratoga opening week; had a terrible trip, might have been the best horse, got beaten a length, length and a quarter, and was just full of run, just nothing worked out for him, but he showed up and he ran a good race," the trainer told TVG's Scott Hazelton. "We just took a look (at the Bruce D.) and we thought it's not nearly as deep as it has been in years past. We thought for the money we'd take a shot—straight 3-year-olds instead of running against older horses."
Point Me By was bred in Kentucky by Winchester Farm out of the Proud Citizen mare Viva Allegiance, and was a $30,000 purchase by Homewrecker Racing from Eaton Sales' consignment to the 2019 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale. The mare's last reported foal is an unraced Macho Uno 2-year-old colt named Uno Najd.
Point of Entry, a five-time grade 1 winner on the lawn, began his stallion career in 2014 at Adena Springs Kentucky. He was moved to Adena Springs North in Ontario for the 2021 season, where he stood for an advertised $7,500 stands and nurses fee.
Shantisara Comes Through
The Mr. D. Stakes may not have seen the outcome trainer Chad Brown was hoping for, with stable star Domestic Spending upset by longshot Two Emmys , but Shantisara delivered for his team in the $100,000 Pucker Up Stakes (G3T) earlier on the card.
Shantisara wins the Pucker Up Stakes
The 3-year-old Coulsty filly earned her first North American score for Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Robert LaPenta in her second start here, after racing through her first five outs in France. She was second in her first start for Brown, the June 26 Boiling Springs Stakes at Monmouth Park.
With Flavien Prat in the irons Saturday, Shantisara settled in hand in the 1 1/8-mile turf test and was fifth as Spritz took the field through fractions of :24.83, :49.52, and 1:13.43. Shantisara ranged up into striking distance and split horses entering the stretch, quickened once uncovered, and kicked away through a 1:40.89 mile en route to a three-length victory.
Oyster Box , who pressed the pace throughout and took a brief lead, had to settle for second. Flown was two lengths back in third.
The final time was 1:51.91.
Bred in Ireland by Oliver Donlon out of the Dalakhani mare Kharana, Shantisara improved her record to three wins and two seconds from seven starts, with earnings of $113,108. She was sent off as the favorite in a seven-horse field and returned $5.60 on a $2 win ticket.