Bailoutbobby Takes Marathon Stakes

With a patient ride and a sweeping move in the final turn, Bailoutbobby took the 1 3/4-mile $200,000 Marathon Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland by 5 1/4 lengths.

The 5-year-old gelding by Mizzen Mast  —Ride Her Out, by Stormy Atlantic  , become the first stakes winner for his dam and for his owner Ron Arauelian, running as R3 Racing. Bailoutbobby was bred in Kentucky by Kirk and Deby Wycoff, then purchased for $10,000 out of the Keeneland January winter mixed sale. 

He has been through multiple owners and trainers since 2012, ending up in the hands of R3 Racing as part of a partnership that included Calara Farms, Great Friends Stable, K. Jewgieniew, and S. Keh. Doug O'Neil trains Bailoutbobby, who is now solely owned by Arauelian.

Prior to the Marathon, the gelding's best finish was a second place in the grade III Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar in July. In the final race on the Breeders' Cup Friday card, jockey Joel Rosario sat patiently in mid-pack in the 13 horse field until the leaders began rounding the third turn of the race. Once Rosario and Bailoutbobby took control, the race was all but done. The final time was 2:56.75.

"He broke beautifully. I could have been a little closer if I wanted to, but (it was) a long race, so I let him be himself and placed him forwardly," Rosario said. "Doug told me to put him in the race a little bit, but today he was very sharp. The whole way, every time I asked him for something he was there for me, so I was very confident. When I hit the second turn, I knew he was going really well."

The winner paid $11.40, $5.40, and $3.80. Finishing in second was Majestic Harbor, who brought $6 and $3.80. Neck 'n Neck was third paying $3.20. Favorite Zambian Dream was never a factor.