BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Florida-breds Buccherino and Adios Now are among a dozen 3-year-olds set to go six furlongs on the synthetic main track at Presque Isle Downs in the $80,000 Tom Ridge Monday with both exiting solid efforts in stakes. Buccherino the 3-1 second choice on the morning line while Adios Now is 12-1 in the program.
In just his second start this year, Buccherino was third in the $150,000 Gold Fever won by Doncho over good and sealed six furlongs during the Belmont at Big A meet on May 5 for trainer Alfredo Velazquez. He started his 2024 campaign with an eye-catching six-and-a-quarter-length scored in a first condition, $75,000 optional claiming going six-and-a-half furlongs at Parx Racing on March 25.
A winner of a first level, $62,500 optional claiming sprinting five-and-a-half furlongs at Laurel in October, Buccherino was unsuccessful in two starts in stakes company last year. He was fifth in the $129,000 Smoke Glacken won by Book ‘em Danno at Monmouth in September and sixth behind winner Copper Tax in the $100,000 James F. Lewis III at Laurel in November.
Buccherino was a $75,000 purchase by owner Happy Tenth Stable at last year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale where he was consigned by breeder Blue River Bloodstock. He has since earned $131,900 from three wins in seven starts with a second and a third.
He is by Bucchero out of the Florida-bred mare Bellimbusto, by Double Diamond Farm stallion First Dude.
Buccherino makes his first start on synthetic from post two with jockey Willie Martinez.
Adios Now has made all of his eight career starts on synthetic tracks including a second-place finishing to Midnight Mascot in the $143,000 Woodstock going six furlongs at Woodbine in his last race on April 28. He has won half of his last four starts including a length-and-a-quarter triumph in a $35,000 optional claiming, starter allowance going five furlongs at Gulfstream Park on March 29 two starts back.
He was claimed for $25,000 by current owner Frank Russo and trainer William Tharrenos out of a winning effort against maidens going five furlongs at Gulfstream on Jan. 31. He subsequently finished third behind winner Lighting Clouds in a first condition, $50,000 optional claiming for Florida-breds going five-and-a-half furlongs on March 10, also at Gulfstream.
Adios Now is by Ocala Stud stallion Adios Charlie out of the stakes-placed mare Standbyyourmangirl, by Southern Image and was bred in Florida by William McCarty. He has earned $78,146 from two wins, a second and four thirds.
Sahin Civaci has the call on Adios Now and they will depart post four.
Trainer Riley Mott will saddle Mr Skylight for the Tom Ridge.
The son of Practical Joke out of Light Banner, by Northern Afleet makes his first start since finishing third in the Grade 3 Chick Lang won by Frost Free going six furlongs on a sloppy track at Pimlico on May 18.
Owned by Peter Vegso of Ocala, Mr Skylight has won half of his four career starts, all this year, including a first condition, $100,000 optional claiming going six furlongs at Keeneland on April 20. He broke his maiden in his second start going six furlongs against special weight company at Gulfstream on March 16.
Mr Skylight is 5-2 on the morning line and Kazushi Kimura will ride from post 11.
Others entered are Ponce de Leon, who will be ridden by Adam Beschizza; Gaddiel Martinez has the assignment on She’s Fire, Going Up with jockey Ronnie Allen Jr., Sweet Soddy J and rider Martina Rojas, Hector will carry Huber Villa-Gomez, Roi Soleil will have Emma-Jayne Wilson in the irons, Twilight Dancer and jockey Pablo Morales, Apollo Ten has Dylan Davis taking the riding assignment and Antonio Gallardo will be aboard Vote No.
Return to June 15 issue of Wire to Wire