The $150,000 2021 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) is the first chance for 2-year-old colts and geldings to pick up graded blacktype earnings. Typical of early-season juvenile stakes races, distance challenged sprinters are prevalent in the six-furlong event.
This year, a full competitive field of 11, including one filly, will travel six furlongs around Churchill's main track. Most contenders have precocious sprinter/miler pedigrees and may not be around for a shot at the 2022 Kentucky Derby, but you never know. 2016's Bashford Manor hero Classic Empire earned 2-year-old honors and was second in the following year's Preakness Stakes.
Race Keys
- Nine of the last ten Bashford Manor victors won their previous start, and most employed a pacesetting or pressing running style.
- Favorites won six of the last seven editions and placed second once.
- Seven of the last ten winners prepped at Churchill or Keeneland.
Let's take a look at the colts most likely to hit the
board.
Red Run (Gun Runner - Red House, by Tapit) is his sire's first runner and leading earner. The Steve Asmussen trainee won his five-furlong debut by 1 3/4-lengths over a sloppy track in 59.22 at Churchill. His two nearest competitors placed in their next start. Red Run stalked the pace four-wide, took over at the top of the stretch, and drew clear late. It was a professional debut; he broke cleanly, switched leads correctly, and kept a straight path. Red Run is a sizable, well-balanced chestnut colt whose conformation indicates that he'll enjoy going longer.
Red Run is the first competitor out of an unraced full sister to 2014 champion 3-year-old filly Untappable. Red House is also a half-sister to multiple Grade 1-winning turf router Paddy O'Prado. This is the distaff line of Grade 1 winner and sires Tapizar, Cuvee, Pyro, and Olympio.
Red Run breaks his maiden and wins Race 3!
5 Furlongs | :59.22 pic.twitter.com/j0RqKbr0sn
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 9, 2021
Lansdowne (Super Saver - Citiview, by Citidancer) grabbed the lead shortly after the start, and Jon Court never went to the stick as they opened up by five lengths. The pretty gray colt held on to win by a 1 1/2-lengths over the late-charging Gunite. The Dallas Stewart trainee switched leads briefly down the stretch but completed five furlongs in :58 flat. Four of Landsdowne's rivals returned to finish third or fourth in their next start.
Lansdowne's half-sister Midnight Lucky is a two-time Grade 1 winner and earner of $565,022 in only five starts. His other half-sister, Songofthecity, is a multiple stakes-placed sprinter. Their dam Citiview is a full sister to Grade 1 winner Hookedonthefeelin, whose offspring include Grade 1 winner and sire Jimmy Creed, and multiple Grade 1 winner Pussycat Doll. That one bore Grade 1 winning turf router Aquaphobia.
Glacial (Frosted - Country Cafe, by Lion Heart) hopped slightly and was slow coming out of the gate in his debut, but Glacial was quick into stride. Joe Talamo got the pretty gray colt over to the rail, and they pushed through a tight spot to challenge Vodka N Water for the lead within the first call. Glacial turned back Vodka N Water's challenge and late-closing Nineties Country to win by 2 1/2-lengths, getting 5 1/2-furlongs in 1:04.99. The Norm Casse trainee was professional, switching leads on cue and keeping a straight path through the stretch under left-handed encouragement.
Glacial is by second-crop sire Frosted, who is No. 2 on the Second-Crop sire list by earnings. His most accomplished runner is Fairgrounds Oaks (G2) heroine Travel Column. Glacial's dam Country Café is a half-sister to Grade 1 winning sire Cupid. Her full sister Heart Ashley and half-sister Ashley's Kitty are Grade 3 winners. Her half-brother Indianapolis is a stakes-winning sprinter.
Another good one bred by Mike Rutherford!
Legacy Bloodstock is proud to have sold this colt (Glacial) by @DarleyStallions Frosted for Mike last year @FasigTiptonCo
??Congrats to owner Robert Masterson, trainer @NormCasse, buyers Kings Equine & @DeuceGreathouse!#LegacyProud ???? pic.twitter.com/o41jFL2apy
— Legacy Bloodstock (@legacybloodstoc) May 30, 2021
Double Thunder (Super Saver - Rattataptap, by Tapit) ships in from Monmouth for Todd Pletcher, where he won his four-furlong debut in 52.63. Breaking from the No. 1 post, Double Thunder was away well, but not as fast as his stablemate Never Early, who quickly established a two-length lead. Double Thunder caught up around the turn, and the pair battled down the stretch, but Double Thunder kicked clear late by a length.
Double Thunder is the first competitor out of Grade 3-placed miler Rattataptap. His dam's full sister My Miss Tapit is a Grade 2-placed sprinter, and full brother I'll Wrap it Up is a Grade 3-placed turf miler. Second dam Sindy With An S was a Grade 3 winning sprinter.
