O Besos Secures Nose Victory in Fair Grounds Return
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Photo: Chad B. Harmon
O Besos
O Besos , making his first start in just over seven months, came out on top of a photo finish in his return Jan. 2 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The 4-year-old Orb colt rallied to get his nose down over Intrepid Heart in the day's seventh race, a $47,000 allowance optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles.
Trained by Greg Foley for Bernard Racing, Tagg Team Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Terry Stephens, O Besos had not been seen at the races since finishing second in the May 29 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. That followed a fifth place effort in last year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
The chestnut has won three of five starts at Fair Grounds, where last year he also finished third in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2).
With Brian Hernandez Jr. up Sunday, O Besos raced in fifth early after being bumped at the start, gained ground along the inside, and was pushed by Intrepid Heart down the stretch. He prevailed for a final time of 1:43.91 on a good (sealed) track and paid $3.20 as the favorite. Grade 1 winner Math Wizard finished last of six.
O Besos was bred in Kentucky by L. Barrett Bernard out of the stakes-winning Soto mare Snuggs and Kisses. He has a 3-1-1 record from eight career starts and earnings of $320,224.