Bayerd Bounces Back in Springboard Mile

All out in the drive, Bayerd reached the wire a head in front of Shotgun Kowboy in a terrific renewal of the $255,000 Remington Springboard Mile  in the mud Dec. 14 on closing night of the 2014 Remington Park meet.



Two-year-olds Bayerd and Shotgun Kowboy battled each other three times in stakes at the meet, with Bayerd winning the Kip Deville Sept. 28 and Shotgun Kowboy coming back to take the Clever Trevor Nov. 7. After overtaking Bayerd by a length in the seven-furlong Clever Trevor, Shotgun Kowboy was the slight favorite over Bayerd and third-place finisher High Noon Rider, all sent off at odds of 5-2 in the Springboard Mile.



The rubber match of their rivalry turned out to be the best. Bayerd, owned by Clark Brewster and trained by Steve Asmussen, was ridden to victory by substitute Ramon Vazquez, the leading jockey at the Oklahoma City track this year. Vazquez picked up the mount on the son of Speightstown   from Ricardo Santana Jr.



It was quite a Sunday evening at Remington, which was socked by rain, hail, and the threat of a tornado, but the program went off without a hitch except for a slight delay due to the hail storm, which quickly passed.



Bayerd, who was on the pace throughout, and Shotgun Kowboy, coming from behind under Luis Quinonez, were both making their first start at the one-mile distance, which was completed in a time of 1:37.26 over a sealed track. It was 4 1/2 lengths back to New York shipper High Noon Rider, who gave way in the final furlong after battling for the lead with Bayerd.



"(Bayerd) trained really nice," Asmussen said afterward. "He and Shotgun Kowboy are both good horses. Ramon gave him a really good trip today. We're really proud of his race. Hopefully, there's several more in his future."



Leading early in the short run to the first turn, Bayerd was overtaken by 20-1 Supermason on the bend, and he tracked that one through quarter-mile splits of :23.22, :46.09, and 1:11.54. Supermason, who led by as much as five lengths, weakened on the final turn and was passed by Bayerd, who bumped a couple of times in upper stretch with the rallying High Noon Rider, ridden by Joe Bravo.

Shotgun Kowboy, meantime, was well back in the field of 11 before working his way into contention on the outside of rivals rounding the far turn. Bayerd led High Noon Rider narrowly through the stretch with Shotgun Kowboy steadily advancing on their outside. Bayerd appeared to be in command at the sixteenth pole after putting away High Noon Rider, but was getting weary in deep stretch while digging down for something extra and reaching the line just in time.



Bred in Kentucky by Alpha Delta Stables out of the Cherokee Run mare Cherokee Jewel, Bayerd was purchased for $75,000 from consignor Cary Frommer, agent, at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-olds in training sale this spring.



With his third win in five starts, Bayerd increased his earnings to $282,100.



Under equal weights of 120 pounds, the winner paid $7, $4.20, and $3.60, keying a $16.40 exacta with C. R. Tout's Shotgun Kowboy, who returned $3.80 and $2.80. High Noon Rider, trained by George Weaver for R. A. Hill Stable, paid $3.80 to show.

Phenomenal Phoenix was fourth, followed by Sky Full of Stars, Hillbilly Style, Supermason, Super Stroke, It'll Be Fine, Conbradulations, and Runaway Bling.

There were two $100,000 stakes preceding the Springboard Mile.

Honey's Ryan, ridden by Cliff Berry for trainer Karl Broberg, won the She's All in Handicap by 1 3/4 lengths for partners Rusty Taylor, Elaine Holliday, Jerry and Margaret Davis, and Mike Walker.

The 3-year-old daughter of Student Council  , bred in Kentucky by University of Kentucky out of the Orientate   mare Run Carrie Run, paid $12.40 to win while running one mile and 70 yards in 1:41.09. Diva's Diamond was second, with Blue Violet third. Flashy American, the 11-10 favorite, finished ninth.

The  Trapeze, for 2-year-old fillies, went to 11-1 shot Zooming, ridden by Lindey Wade for Carl R. Moore Management and trainer Bret Calhoun. Perfect Fit finished second, one length behind the winner, with Sweet Opportunity third. Lovely Maria, the 2-1 favorite, was fourth.

Zooming ran the one-mile distance in 1:38.22 and paid $25.20 to win. Bred in Texas by Charles and David Yochum, the dark bay filly is by After Market out of Dance Studio, by Bertrando.