Bourbon War Redeems Remsen Loss at Gulfstream
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Lauren King
Bourbon War wins by 2 1/4 lengths at Gulfstream Park
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. bided his time, but at the top of the turn in Gulfstream Park's ninth race Jan. 18, he began to guide Bourbon War toward the lead. Once clear, the Tapit colt had no competition.
Owned by Bourbon Lane Stable and Lake Star Stable and trained by Mark Hennig, Bourbon War came on the scene in November, breaking his maiden over a high-class field of maiden 2-year-olds in his first start. He then got a bump in class in the Dec. 1 Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack but lacked the same kick he had in his debut and finished fourth, nine lengths behind the winner, Maximus Mischief.
Friday's race, at 1 1/16 miles, resembled Bourbon War's debut as he came from off the pace and split horses to gain a one-length lead in the stretch and pull away by 2 1/4 lengths at the wire over a classy optional-claiming allowance field.
Award Winner—a Ghostzapper half brother to grade 1 winner Oscar Performance and grade 3 winner Oscar Nominated who broke his maiden impressively in December—led through fractions of :23.93, :47.45, and 1:11.97 for six furlongs, with Whitecap Bay putting on pressure most of the way.
Once into the turn, morning-line favorite Cutting Humor began to inch closer to the lead, and Bourbon War, who had settled in seventh, was also ranging within striking distance. Bourbon War, splitting horses, had a slight advantage over Cutting Humor on the outside and was able to kick on in the stretch. Award Winner held for third.
"I was glad he kind of got through that little hole," Hennig said. "I was like, 'Is there a hole here turning for home or not? Don't get stopped.' It worked out good."
The $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) March 2 at Gulfstream is the most likely target for Bourbon War's next start.
"I think you'd have to. We're going to see how it stacks up, but we'll nominate him to all these 3-year-old races," Hennig said. "I think he's ready to take the step back into graded stakes company."
The Fountain of Youth is the second race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby that awards a higher point range of 50-20-10-5 to the top four finishers toward a start in the May 4 classic.
"He got some schooling in the Remsen, and I think Irad made a point of schooling him a little bit (today)," Hennig said. "I asked him if he did anything wrong today, and he said, 'Not a thing,' so that's good."
Bred in Kentucky by Conquest Stables, Bourbon War is the first foal out of grade 1 winner My Conquestadory.