Bonita Bianca Scores in Union Avenue
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Bonita Bianca wins the 2018 Union Avenue at Saratoga Race Course
Bonita Bianca came three wide around the turn and powered past Swing and Sway and Picco Uno in deep stretch to take the $100,000 Union Avenue Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares Aug. 16 at Saratoga Race Course.
Ridden by Manny Franco, the 4-year-old Curlin filly was content to run off the rail in fifth as Swing and Sway led through an opening quarter-mile in :21.57 with the half going in :44.02. The frontrunner was briefly challenged by 1-2 favorite Picco Uno as the field of five straightened for home, but it was Bonita Bianca who closed fastest of all, hitting the wire 1 1/2 lengths in front and covering the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.39 over a track rated fast.
It was the second victory in three starts in 2018 for Bonita Bianca, who won an optional-claiming allowance at Monmouth Park in June in her first start for trainer Jason Servis and next finished fifth in the Dashing Beauty Stakes at Delaware Park.
"They were moving really fast early up front. The fractions they were putting up kind of compromised Picco Uno, but it certainly benefited Bonita Bianca," said Servis, who also trains the beaten favorite. "The only instructions I had for Manny coming into the race was that she didn't like to get hit in the face with dirt. In her last start at Delaware, she really ran when she was wheeled out, and today she got the perfect setup and certainly took advantage of the early splits. It was a nice win for her."
Bonita Bianca—owned by Michael Dubb, Michael Imperio, and Bethlehem Stables—returned $9.40 for a $2 win bet as she improved her record to 6-1-2 from 12 starts, with earnings of $470,917. She was bred by Dormellito Stud out of grade 1 winner Friendly Michelle.
Wonderment finished fourth, seven lengths behind Picco Uno, while Absatootly was eased and walked off the track.