Gulfport Rockets Home to Score in Bashford Manor Stakes
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Photo: Coady Photography
Gulfport wins the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs
Putting down the second-fastest time recorded in the Bashford Manor Stakes, Gulfport rocketed through the six-furlong event July 4 at Churchill Downs, pulling away further from his rivals with every move to win by an astonishing 12 1/4 lengths.
Under Brian Hernandez Jr., the colt darted to the lead and widened his lead through fractions of :21.65, :45.07, and :57.06.
The 2-year-old son of Uncle Mo crossed the wire in a final time of 1:09.25 to give champion trainer of the 2022 spring meet Steve Asmussen yet another victory.
"It was perfect. I was concerned with him drawing the one hole," Asmussen said. "He's obviously got a tremendous amount of ability and he showed that in his first race. But when you run three quarters at Churchill, it's the first time the 2-year-olds run past the gap.
"Brian did a nice job with him, he was away nice and smooth and in complete control the whole race."
Watch GULFPORT win by 12 lengths in The Bashford Manor Stakes! pic.twitter.com/uKVSmc7sN4
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) July 4, 2022
Owen's Leap rallied from fifth for second with Andthewinneris in third.
Gulfport paid $2.40 on a $2 win ticket and increased his earnings to $176,530.
After breaking his maiden by seven lengths June 10 at Churchill, the Bashford Manor was the colt's second start for owners Corinne and William Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm, and Whispering Oaks Farm.
"I'm feeling very, very, relieved and excited," Corinne Heiligbrogt said. "It was a nice race and I'm glad he just pulled away from the crowd as he went along. He's a nice horse and Steve Asmussen did a good job with him. He's got a good mother and a good dad so it's wonderful.
"We've had some fast horses in our career and this looks to be a fast one. I'm looking forward to the rest of the time we have with him. We have partners on this horse, Terry Green and Carrol Castille. We're all elated."
Asmussen said he timed the colt's maiden run looking ahead to a start in the Bashford Manor. Next up he will be aimed towards starting in the Saratoga Special Presented by Miller Lite (G2) and Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
As for his accomplishment as top trainer for the spring meet, the trainer said: "It's very special. Scott Blasi, Sarah (Campion), the team here have been together a long time, and (I'm) very proud of it. It's made possible by the tremendous opportunities we're given with some great racehorses."
Gulfport is out of the Unbridled's Song mare Fame and Fortune who has two winners out of three foals to start. The dam also produced Favor who was third in the March 26 Twinspires.com Fair Ground Oaks (G2). She has a yearling Uncle Mo filly and was bred to Tapit for the 2023 season.
Video: Bashford Manor S. (BT)
Wonder Wheel Takes The Debutante Stakes
It was the 2-year-old filly Wonder Wheel who wowed the crowd July 4 at Churchill Downs, securing the Debutante Stakes well ahead of her competitors for trainer Mark Casse.
The filly was in command throughout the race and gradually increased her lead through fractions of :21.52, :45.05, and :57.48 under jockey Tyler Gaffalione.
The daughter of Into Mischief crossed the wire 6 3/4 lengths ahead of her 2-year-old female rivals in a final time of 1:10.26. She paid $5.60 on a $2 win ticket.
Wonder Wheel wins the Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs
"From the first time I got on (Wonder Wheel) I thought she had a tremendous amount of talent, she's so professional with the way she does everything," Gaffalione said. "She's very composed... I think she has a very bright future."
Watch an impressive win by 2 YO WONDER WHEEL in The Debutante Stakes!
Jockey: @Tyler_Gaff
Trainer: @markecasse
Owner: D.J. Stable pic.twitter.com/KdgXnARdNx— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) July 4, 2022
Sabra Tuff was the runner-up and Les Bon Temps third.
Assistant trainer to Casse, David Carroll, was thrilled with the filly's performance.
"It was very impressive. This filly came in with a big reputation. She's now 2-for-2. She's got a great mind, great pedigree," Carroll said. "Everything she does in the morning is very easy. We were expecting her to run good today and she stepped up. We're very excited, great way to end the meet too."
Gaffalione, who grabbed his eighth leading rider title during the 2022 spring meet, said that he has been humbled by his time at Churchill.
"I feel so blessed just to be in the position I'm in... Everybody has been so welcoming, they make me feel right at home. It's a great colony and I have learned so much from these riders. They have made me a better rider."
"We've got four days off this week then I've got to ride at Belmont. I'm getting married next Tuesday so a lot to look forward to."
Breaking her maiden in early June at Churchill, the filly owned by D.J. Stable made her second start in the Debutante.
Wonder Wheel was bred by Three Chimneys Farm and Clearsky Farm out of the graded stakes-placed Tiz Wonderful mare Wonder Gal who has two winners out of two foals to start. The dam was runner-up in the Mother Goose Stakes (G1) and Frizette Stakes (G1) and has earnings of $904,800. Wonder Wheel is her last reported foal.