BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Florida-breds Damon’s Mound and Buccherino finished first and second respectively in the $175,000 Bold Ruler (Grade 3) Sunday to complete a big weekend of stakes winners for breeders’ in the Sunshine State. In topping eight 3-year-olds in older in the six-furlong Bold Ruler during the Belmont at Big A meet at Aqueduct, Damon’s Mound is the fifth Florida-bred stakes winner and second graded stakes victor since Friday.
Saturday, Bentornato won the $1.84 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club; Roll on Big Joe took the $269,000 Bet On Sunshine (Listed) at Churchill Downs; and Souper Forces remained unbeaten in the $75,000 Showing Up at Gulfstream Park. Friday, Queen Maxima triumphed in the $200,000 Senator Ken Maddy presented by Breeders’ Cup Charities at Del Mar.
In the Bold Ruler, Florida-bred Bouncer shot out of post three first before Buccherino raced to the front from the inside post as Damon’s Mound and Junior Alvarado settled into third on the outside. Buccherino and Bouncer headed into the turn in tandem after two furlongs in :22.32 with Damon’s Mound stalking from the three path as 5-2 favorite Full Moon Madness took fourth from Hurricane Nelson on the rail.
Buccherino, Bouncer, Damon’s Mound and Full Moon Madness came out of the turn four-across the track with Buccherino and Damon’s Mound emerging to fight for the lead down the stretch. Buccherino was resilient until the final 75 yards when Damon’s Mound edged clear to eventually win by a half-length, finishing in 1:09.67.
Buccherino was two-and-a-half lengths faster than Full Moon Madness in third as Subrogate came from seventh to finish fourth. Nutella Fella, Bounder, Florida-bred Hurricane Nelson and The Golden Gorilla completed the order of finish.
The William Mott-trained Damon’s Mound paid $9 to win while earning $96,250 for owners Cliff and Michele Love of Friendswood, Tex. The 8 and1 $1 exacta paid $11.30.
It was the first win for Damon’s Mound since taking the $75,000 Sunshine Sprint at Gulfstream Park in January and his third career graded-stakes victory. He won the Grade 2 Saratoga Special as a 2-year-old in 2022 and the Grade 2 Gallant Bob at Parx in 2023.
In four starts since the Sunshine Sprint, Damon’s Mound had two thirds in the $100,000 Alapocas Run won by Full Moon Madness at Delaware Park in June and a high level, $100,000 optional claiming at Saratoga in August. He came into the Bold Ruler off a fourth, less than a length behind winner Buccherino, in the $150,000 Parx Sprint on Sept. 20.
Damon’s Mound improved his record to six wins in 17 career starts with two seconds and two thirds with earnings of $877,970. He is by Girvin out of San Antonio Stroll by Stroll and was bred in Florida by Cliff Love.
San Antonio Stroll has two winners from four starters and five foals. She has an unnamed yearling colt by Ocala Stud stallion Roadster and a weanling full sister to Damon’s Mound. She was bred to Girvin in 2025.
Return to the November 4 issue of Wire to Wire
