Blitzkrieg Strikes for San Francisco Mile Victory
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Photo: Shane Micheli/ Vassar Photography
Blitzkrieg wins the San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields
R3 Racing, Calara Farms, and Steve Rothblum's Blitzkrieg was picked up for a $25,000 tag in January, and April 27 he won his first stakes attempt in the $250,000 San Francisco Mile Stakes (G3T) at Golden Gate Fields, becoming the 46th graded stakes winner for his sire, War Front .
The San Francisco Mile was the fourth consecutive victory for Blitzkrieg. He won a Jan. 19 claiming race at Santa Anita Park for trainer Richard Mandella and owners Ramona and Perry Bass, was claimed by trainer Doug O'Neill, and proceeded to win a Feb. 17 starter allowance and March 31 optional-claiming allowance.
In the San Francisco Mile, Blitzkrieg was sent off at 3-1 under jockey Rafael Bejarano. The pair settled in second behind Many Roses, who set fractions of :23.44 and :47.72. The favorite, multiple graded stakes winner River Boyne, and third choice, Bowies Hero, took up the last two spots of the 10-horse field.
Many Roses began to fade, and Blitzkrieg stuck his head in front to hit three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.53. Bowies Hero, winner of the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T) over a year ago, failed to rally off an eight-month layoff. River Boyne found his wind late and made a bold four-wide move, but Blitzkrieg had already gotten away. The winner crossed the wire 1 1/2 lengths in front and completed the mile in 1:35.56 over firm going.
Following runner-up River Boyne across the wire were Choo Choo, Le Ken, Grecian Fire, Bowies Hero, Wentwood, Many Roses, Souter, and Mithqaal.
The San Francisco Mile improved Blitzkrieg's record to five wins in 13 starts. His earnings stand at $242,746.
Blitzkrieg was bred in Kentucky by Ramona Bass out of the Arch mare Bauble Queen, winner of the Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park. He is the second of five foals out of Bauble Queen, and his older full brother, Leader's Legacy, is also a winner. Since Blitzkrieg, Bauble Queen has produced an unraced 2-year-old Malibu Moon colt named High Tide, a yearling filly by Medaglia d'Oro, and a Ghostzapper filly born Feb. 23.