Stolen Base Steals the Show in American Turf
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Photo: Chad B. Harmon
Stolen Base wins the American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs
After a terrific Keeneland meet that saw the rider Flavien Prat finish third in the standings, the 29-year-old Frenchman further justified his decision to move his tack to Kentucky by landing four graded stakes races at Churchill Downs during Derby weekend.
A day after taking the Eight Belles Stakes Presented by TwinSpires (G2) with Matareya and the Modesty Stakes Presented by TwinSpires (G3T) with Bleecker Street , Prat kept the momentum rolling May 7 with a victory aboard Speak of the Devil in the Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (G2T) earlier on the card before guiding longshot Stolen Base to an upset score in the $500,000 American Turf Stakes Presented by BMW (G2T).
"It's been a great day, a great weekend really," said Prat. "Hopefully it'll stay that way."
After two failed tries on the polytrack chasing Tiz the Bomb at Turfway Park, Stolen Base returned to his preferred surface—turf. Outfitted with blinkers, which he first wore when running an even seventh in the April 2 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), the colt at last garnered his first graded stakes victory for owners Three Diamonds Farm and Deuce Greathouse.
The colt was on the muscle from the moment the gates sprang, clipping heels with Portfolio Company in the run around the first turn. After an opening quarter in :23.97, Prat was able to settle the eager Stolen Base in fifth position behind horses down the backstretch. Race leader Dowagiac Chief had slowed the pace down considerably on the front end, racing the half-mile in :49.27 before beginning his retreat as the field wheeled into the final bend. Prat and Stolen Base had inched into contention and pounced on the leaders with a four-wide move into the stretch. As Stolen Base struck the front, mid-stretch California invader Balnikhov rushed up to his outside and thrust a head in front.
"I didn't think we would hold off (Balnikhov)," said Prat. "Manny (Franco) came at me (with Balnikhov) but my horse seemed to regroup and take off again."
Stolen Base dug in bravely to the inside of Balnikhov and kicked clear of that rival, finishing 1 1/4 lengths ahead at the wire. Favored Sy Dog could only manage third in the first defeat of his career.
"They slowed down the pace up front and my horse jumped slowly so we had it tough," said Franco of Balnikhov.
The American Turf was the Adaay's gelding second race in North America since joining Phil D'Amato's barn. "I rode him the way they instructed me, to save ground and when you have a chance, to come running down the middle of the track, where it is best right now. I was following Irad (Ortiz Jr.) first and then I followed Flavien (Prat) but (Stolen Base) never stopped running."
The 1 1/16 miles was run in a time of 1.44.57 on turf course rated firm. Stolen Base paid $13.20 to win from a $2 ticket.
"He's a tough horse, Stolen Base, he shows up every time," said trainer Mike Maker. "Last time (in the Jeff Ruby Steaks) he was battling a minor illness so we just have to cross that last race out.
"We got away well, Flavien (Prat) put him in a good position and just felt if we were good enough, there would be no excuses."
Stolen Base's connections celebrate the win in the American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs
A horse that has performed on all three surfaces in his career, Maker indicated that the prestigious Caesars Turf Triple Series in New York could be on the radar for Stolen Base. The first race in the $3,000,000 series is the July 9 Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational (G1T) at Belmont Park.
Stolen Base, becoming the 25th individual stakes winner for his sire with the American Turf victory, was bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds. He is the fourth foal out of the winning Indian Charlie mare Running Wild, herself a daughter of grade 3 stakes winner Race Artist and a half sister to multiple stakes winner Cherokee Artist, an earner of more than $900,000, and to stakes winner Cherokee Girl. Running Wild has an unraced 2-year-old filly named Racing and a yearling colt named Mad Dash, both by Candy Ride , and delivered a filly by Honor A. P. on May 3.
Stolen Base went through the sales ring twice, selling for $45,000 to Pura Vida Investments as a juvenile when consigned by Ocala Stud at the 2021 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training before being bought by trainer Mike Maker from the Bluewater Sales consignment for $335,000 at last year's Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale after his seventh-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T).