Ghostzapper and Smok’n Frolic won major races in New York during their
racing careers, and their 3-year-old son now has the opportunity to create his
own legacy. Named Hunters Bay, the regally-bred colt became the 11th
horse featured in the New York Watch series, which shines the spotlight on
promising colts and fillies that have recently cleared the maiden and allowance
ranks at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont
Park, or Saratoga Race
Course. The New York Watch page for Hunters
Bay is located at http://www.nyra.com/nywatch/HuntersBay.html.
Fifth in his debut after breaking slowly at Gulfstream
Park on April 10, Hunters Bay
was ready to roll today at Belmont
Park in his second start.
Away alertly this time, he set fractions of :23.14 and :45.57 while receiving
pace pressure from Loquacious, began to open on the field at the top of the
stretch, and drew clear under a brisk hand ride to score by 8 ½ lengths.
“We thought stretching him out would be the key and hoped
he’d break a little better,” said Hunters Bay’s
trainer Todd Pletcher, who conditioned Smokn’ Frolic during her racing
days. “He was definitely more professional second time out. He comes from
a pedigree that makes it look like he’ll improve going longer. This is a
big step forward, and hopefully he continues to improve. He could have a
future.”
Hunters
Bay, the 9-2 fifth choice
in the field of six, covered the 1 1/16th-mile distance in a snappy 1:41.08.
While Pletcher noted how he thought the track was playing on the quick side,
winning Jockey John Velazquez was awed nonetheless.
“They were cooking out there,” said Velazquez. “Today
was the first time I had seen him, and while he’s still a little green
and has a few things to learn, I was impressed.”
Hunters Bay is owned by Frank Stronach, who bred the colt in Kentucky through his
Adena Springs operation. Stronach also campaigned his sire Ghostzapper, the
2004 Horse of the Year who dominated the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap here at Belmont in his career
finale.
Smok’n Frolic won six graded stakes in her career –
including four here in New York – and earned over $1.53 million while
racing for owner Dogwood Stable before she was sold as a broodmare prospect at
the 2004 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. There she was acquired for
$1.25 million by Stronach, who subsequently sold her to Shadai Farm for $750,000
four years later when she was carrying a full brother to Hunters Bay.
Many of the industry’s brightest stars embarked upon their
careers at the NYRA tracks, including a number of recent Triple Crown race
winners. Big Brown, Jazil, Birdstone, Funny Cide, and Empire Maker are all
among the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes
victors that kick-started their careers at Aqueduct, Belmont
Park, or Saratoga.
The list also includes a brilliant triumvirate of fillies that broke
their maidens at Aqueduct. Flashing, Little Belle, and Music Note all
registered their first victories at the Big A before going on to win major
Grade 1 races within the last two years.