Bear River continued his upward trajectory within the Turf Dash division, recording the course, recording a half-length on the Kentucky Downs on August thirtieth, on the $1.87 million Grade 2 Mint Kentucky Turf Dash Stakes.
Ship 19-1, the 4-year-old Bear River led at each stage beneath jockey James Graham, through 22.42 and 44.69 earlier than stopping the watch at 1:06.91 on the 6 Furlong Kentucky Downs file. Howard Wallowitz, passing via the lanes, was quickly closed, however ran from the bottom and settled into second place. The Irish breeding cademy, which got here in second on this similar race final 12 months, completed third.
Constructing the twenty second begin of his profession for coach Keith Desormaud, Bear River seems to have developed into top-of-the-line turf sprinters within the nation. His third stakes in Grass in his remaining 4 begins, he introduced the victory within the $250,000 Kentucky Downs Turf Dash Preview Stakes on August third at Ellis Park.
Final 12 months, Desormeaux took the time to convey Bear River again into the race after ending seventh within the Off the Turf Stakes in January.
“He has one other dimension of velocity and ending energy when he was 4,” Desormeaux mentioned. “Possibly I’ve run him an excessive amount of as a 3 12 months previous. He ran arduous as a 2 12 months previous. He is a prime horse. We gave him time and he is simply again within the monster.”
Graham mentioned the ridges have been getting larger and he felt he was progressively transferring away from the gate at every begin of this season.
“He is one of many horses you wish to be round as a result of he is form,” Graham mentioned as he referred to as the perfect sprinter he is on. “He is good to cope with. He tries each time.”
The Kentucky Turf Dash was the Breeders’ Cup Problem sequence “Win and You’r in “Race.” Now, with this gradual stakes successful beneath his belt, Bear River has the chance to show how good he’s within the $1 million Pravin Breeders Cup Turf Dash at Del Marde on November 1st.
Desormeaux mentioned he is not an enormous fan of the 5-farlon distance within the Breeders’ Cup race, however admitted, “Possibly it is in his alley.”
