Birdrun tried to take his career to new heights in the Discovery Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct in November, but after a bad stumble at the start of the race, the Florida-bred colt would have had to sprout wings in order to catch the victorious Haynesfield.
Birdrun finished fifth that day in his stakes debut, but he’ll get another chance at a stakes win in a less challenging spot Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. The son of Birdstone is a 7-2 choice on the morning line for the $65,000 Challenger Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile test that drew a field of eight 4-year-olds and up.
Birdrun, bred by the late Arthur I. Appleton at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, has been a part of the exacta in six of his last seven races, with the lone exception being the Discovery Handicap. He ran in a pair of $62,500 optional claimers at Gulfstream Park in January, finishing second to Inkado in his 4-year-old debut before winning by one length in his most recent start.
In his one start at Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile distance, Birdrun captured a $46,000 allowance at Belmont Park in October. In that race, he stalked the pace in second place early before taking the lead on the backstretch and drawing off for an 8 ¼-length score.
Trainer Bill Mott said his horse can either be on the lead or sitting just behind the leader.
“He can do either,” Mott said. “He can stalk a good pace, or if there is no pace, he can go on. He’s not one-dimensional. He seems to be OK at two turns. He’s won going from a mile to a mile and an eighth and has been effective. He’s one of those horses that just keeps coming. He tries to win.”
Birdrun, owned by Preston Stable LLC, was a $60,000 purchase as a yearling at Keeneland in September 2007. He’s won three of his 10 starts for $113,244. Birdrun will have Rosemary Homeister Jr. aboard for the first time Saturday when he breaks from the No. 5 post.
The 2-1 morning-line favorite for the Challenger is Arson Squad, who has won three graded stakes, including the 2008 Meadowlands Cup Handicap (G2). Arson Squad, an earner of $922,188, made his 7-year-old debut at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 3, finishing third behind Grosshopper in a $100,000 optional claimer.
Arson Squad drew the rail and will have Daniel Centeno aboard for the first time for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.
“There are a couple of nice, old horses in the race,” Mott said. “Arson Squad looks pretty competitive. It’s a competitive race.”
The field also includes Florida-breds War Fighter (10-1), J’s Sundance Halo (15-1) and Pound Foolish (15-1) as well as Powerhouse (30-1), Bold Start (7-2) and Timber Reserve (3-1).
War Fighter, bred by Steve Tucker, is a 4-year-old son of Repent. The gelding, owned by Jagger Inc. and trainer by Jamie Ness, was a $25,000 purchase at OBS in April 2008. War Fighter has won four of his 13 starts for $141,625. He most recently was sixth in the $52,000 Super Stakes going seven furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 6.
J’s Sundance Halo, a homebred for Janis Maitlen of J’s Mini Farm in Ocala, is a 6-year-old son of Fappie’s Notebook. He won the $100,000 Leeward Stakes at Presque Isle Downs in 2008 and most recently was the runner-up in a $25,000 allowance at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 6. J’s Sundance Halo has won eight of his 44 starts for $254,656.
Pound Foolish is a gelded son of Exchange Rate and a homebred for Jacqueline Tortora and trainer Manny Tortora. He made his 4-year-old debut at Gulfstream in January, finishing second to Dubai Gold, just a head behind the winner, in a $62,500 optional claimer. Pound Foolish has won three of his 24 starts for $103,014.
Bold Start, the winner of the 2009 Aristides Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs, captured a $100,000 optional claimer at Gulfstream on Feb. 21.
Timber Reserve, the winner of the 2007 Pennsylvania Derby (G2), most recently won a $100,000 optional claimer by a nose at Gulfstream on Jan. 18.
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