Masochistic Grabs First Stakes in Kona Gold
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Before he made his trip to Oaklawn Park for the Arkansas Derby (gr. I), Masochistic's regular rider, Victor Espinoza, gave easy-to-follow instructions to Tyler Baze on how to handle the speedy gelding in the April 11 Kona Gold Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park.
"He said, 'All you've got to do is get out of the gate and hold on,' " Baze recalled.
The advice appeared to be of benefit, as the 5-year-old son of Sought After took home his first stakes score in the $200,000 Kona Gold—with the first-time jockey and first-time trainer Ron Ellis—for Los Pollos Hermanos Racing and Jay Em Ess Stable.
In a speed duel for the first time in his seven-race career, the front-running gelding actually followed early leader San Onofre, a head behind, through opening fractions of :22.33 and :44.64, before taking the lead exiting the turn. San Onofre hung tough throughout and held on to finish second, three-quarters of a length back, and Sahara Sky closed from last to finish third, a neck behind.
"From the three-eighths pole, it was a battle between these two horses, and my horse didn't give up an inch," said San Onofre's jockey, Alex Solis. "He just kept trying the whole way."
Off at 9-10, Masochistic finished the 6 1/2-furlong test in 1:14.69 after clocking the first six furlongs in 1:08.30. He returned $2.80, $2.60, and $2.20, while San Onofre paid $3.40 and $2.60, with Sahara Sky bringing $2.20.
"That other horse never gave up," said Ellis, who took over Masochistic's training after conditioner A.C. Avila was suspended. "I was glad to see this horse win a dogfight, because you never know until you're in one. He responded really well."
BLOOD-HORSE STAFF: Trainer A.C. Avila Suspended, Fined by CHRB
Bred in California by Francoise Dupuis and Louise Julian from the Unusual Heat mare Trotinette, Masochistic saw his record improve to 5-1-0 from seven career starts and pushed his career earnings to $343,850 with the $120,000 winner's share.
Ellis also said after the race that he could be looking toward an eventual shot at the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. I) with the gelding, although Masochistic was second—7 1/4 lengths back—to Soi Phet in last year's Los Alamitos Mile, his only race over seven furlongs.
Just more than eight lengths beyond Sahara Sky came Spirit Rules, in fourth, followed by Ankeny Hill, and Seeking the Sherif, to complete the order of finish. Caminetto was scratched.