Arthur’s Ride Romps by 12 ½ Lengths
BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Glassman Racing’s Arthur’s Ride ran away from his eight rivals at Saratoga Friday afternoon as the Florida-bred colt won a second condition, $62,500 optional claiming for 3-year-olds by 12 ¾ quarters lengths. Ridden by Junior Alvarado for trainer Bill Mott, Arthur’s ride covered a mile-and-a-quarter in 2:00.99
Arthur’s Ride went right to the front from post one and maintained a two-length lead through a half-mile in :47.73 while chased by fellow Florida-bred Rocco Strong in second with Costa Terra third. He began to stretch his advantage around the far turn then found another gear when urged by Alvarado turning for home. He was five-and-a-half lengths in front in deep stretch and extended his lead while being eased approaching the finish.
He was sent to the post as the 2-1 favorite and paid $6.70 to win.
A winner of a one-mile maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park in his third career start in February of 2023, Arthur’s Ride did not race again until 13 months later. Upon his return, he won a first condition, $25,000 optional claiming by seven-and-a-half lengths going a mile at Gulfstream in March 16 but did not like a sloppy track in his next and most recent race at Churchill Downs on May 3. He finished ninth in a second condition, $80,000 optional claiming going a mile.
Arthur’s Ride is by Tapit out of Points of Grace, by Point Given and was bred in Florida by Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon and Tapit Syndicate. With the $63,250 winner’s check Friday, he now has $214,955 in earnings from three wins in six starts with two seconds.
Florida-bred Munnys Gold Wires Saratoga Allowance in 2024 Debut
Robert and Lawana Low’s Munnys Gold made a successful return to the races Friday with a wire to wire score in a $110,000 allowance race against eight other fillies and mares at Saratoga. The 4-year-old filly carried jockey Irad Oritz Jr. to a two-length victory as the odds-on favorite in the six-furlong test.
Munnys Gold started fast from post three and led Coolcalm Collected by a length through a quarter-mile in :22.23. She extended her lead around the far turn and was four-and-a-half lengths in front midstretch before winning by two lengths in 1:09.88 on the fast track.
Roswell was second, two-and-a-half lengths clear of Sam’s Treasure in third. They were followed in order by Kehoe Beach, Ziaerati, Very Practical, Coolcalm Collected and Sugar Hi. Justthefactsjack, Little Linzee and Majestic Return were scratched.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Munny’s Gold returned $3.50 to win.
Munnys Gold won last year’s $100,000 Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies at Tampa Bay Downs by more than 17 lengths in March before finishing second to Red Carpet Ready in the Grade 2 Eight Belles at Churchill Downs on May 7, both at seven furlongs. She was then stretched out to a mile-and-a-sixteenth in the Grade 1 Acorn and finished fourth behind Pretty Mischievous at Belmont Park on June 9. She completed her sophomore season with a third in the Grade 1 Test won by Pretty Mischievous going seven furlongs at Saratoga on Aug. 5.
Munnys Gold is by Munnings out of Haraaway, by Medaglia d’Oro and was bred in Florida by Nicksar Farm. She has now won four of seven starts with a second and third with lifetime revenues of $375,400.
