Bango, Wadsworth, Xigera Capture Stakes at Ellis Park
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Bango wins the Kelly's Landing Stakes at Ellis Park
It was smooth sailing for multiple stakes winner Bango who went to the lead early in the $225,000 Kelly's Landing Stakes July 1 at Ellis Park and held on to his winning position to cruise to victory.
Under leading jockey Tyler Gaffalione, the 6-year-old son of Congrats led gate-to-wire through fractions of :22.29, :44.37, and 1:08.33. The pair finished the 6 1/2-furlong event in 1:15.02 with a half-length to spare over a fast dirt track.
Marsalis settled for second and Miles Ahead was third.
Bango ($4.30) increased his earnings to $1,275,811 and improved his record to 13-4-2 from 32 starts. The Tamaroak Partners homebred is trained by Greg Foley.
"We had Tyler back on him today and he knows the horse so well. I told Tyler to go from the break and see what happens," Foley said. "We were in the one hole and (Marsalis) was on our outside so he had to let him run away from there a little bit. He found himself on the lead and he handled it from there."
Watch: Foley, Gaffalione Thrilled After Kelly's Landing Stakes
Bango was bred in Kentucky out of the Smart Strike mare Josaka, who has also produced grade 1 winner in Puerto Rico, Eton Ridge . The dam's last reported foal is a yearling son of Flatter .
Video: Kelly's Landing S. (BT)
Wadsworth Earns First Stakes Win in American Derby
Wadsworth returned to the winner's circle July 1 at Ellis Park in the $225,000 American Derby in defeating grade 3 winner Mo Stash for his first victory in stakes company.
The 3-year-old son of Quality Road started into the 1 1/16-mile turf contest as the 6-5 favorite and was piloted by Florent Geroux, who had his mount stalking the pace through fractions set by Mo Stash of :24.20, :48.49 and 1:11.71. The winner rallied to take command late in the stretch and crossed the wire in 1:40.96 on a "good" turf course.
"Pretty much how I expected it to be on paper," said jockey Florent Geroux. "He is a nice horse and I think he should win some more like this."
The Godolphin homebred, trained by Brad Cox, paid $4.50 for a $2 win ticket.
Wadsworth triumphs in the American Derby
Mo Stash held second, finishing two lengths ahead of Desert Duke in third.
Bred in Kentucky out of the grade 1-winning Medaglia d'Oro mare Dickinson , Wadsworth improved his record to 3-1-0 from eight starts and increased his earnings to $295,536. The dam also has a yearling full brother to Wadsworth along with a 2023 Gun Runner filly.
Video: American Derby (BT)
Wadsworth Not the Only Horse to Earn First Stakes Victory
Xigera was able to carry on with her winning ways, taking home victory in the final race on the Saturday card at Ellis Park in the $225,000 Tepin Stakes. The victory was her first stakes win.
Piloted by Julien Leparoux in the one-mile turf contest, Xigera chased Heavenly Sunday , who set the pace with fractions of :24.01, :47.79,1:11.65, and 1:23.36 and overhauled the leader late in the stretch, crossing the wire in 1.35.37.
Xigera wins the Tepin Stakes
Bred in Kentucky by Cedar Hill and trained by Phil Bauer, favored Xigera paid $4.16 for a $2 win ticket.
Heavenly Sunday held on for second, finishing a half-length ahead of Safeen in the race for 3-year-old fillies.
Sired by 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Nyquist out of the Black Tie Affair mare Agent Affair, Xigera improved her record to 3-1-1 from six starts and increased her earnings to $330,865. Xigera is the second stakes winner from her dam.