BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Undefeated in his first two starts before finishing off the board in his stakes debut, Florida-bred Right Wing Runner goes after black type again Saturday in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid at Laurel Park. Nine 3-year-olds will go seven furlongs with Right Wing Runner labeled at 12-1 on the morning line.

Trained by Scott Lake for Richard Malouf, Right Wing Runner started his career defeating special weight maidens going five-and-a-half furlongs at Parx Racing in September under jockey Frankie Pennington. Right Wing Runner and Pennington teamed up two months later to win a first level, $75,000 optional claiming at Parx by nearly three lengths going six furlongs over a muddy and sealed track.

 

They could not repeat that form over another off track in the $75,000 Future Stars at Parx on Dec. 30, losing for the first time after abruptly slowing in the turn of the seven-furlong contest to finish last of seven.

An earner of $61,000 in his three starts, Right Wing Runner was purchased by Malouf for $75,000 out of the Really and Truly Thoroughbreds consignment of Rubin M. Sanchez at last year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale. Sanchez acquired the son of Preservationist for $10,000 at the 2023 OBS October Yearling Sale where he was consigned by Thoroughstock.

Right Wing Runner is out of Silver Lantana, by Badge of Silver and was bred in Florida by Norman Dellheim and Katie Liebe of Ocala.

Pennington will again ride Right Wing Runner and they have drawn post six.

Trainer Brittany Russell has the apparent horse to beat in the Spectacular Bid with 2-1 morning line favorite Tony Eclipse.

Tony Eclipse became a stakes winner last out when he won the restricted Maryland Juvenile by nearly four lengths going seven furlongs. 

After breaking his maiden in his second start, Tony Eclipse was second to It’s Hammertime in the $135,250 Rocky Run at Delaware Park on Oct. 9 then finished third in the listed Nashua won by Studlydoright at Aqueduct on Nov. 2.

Tony Eclipse is owned by The Elkstone Group LLC and looks to improve on his record of two wins, a second and a third in five starts with earnings of $136,430.

Sheldon Russell takes the call on the chestnut colt from post seven.

The field also includes Sacred Thunder and jockey Jevian Toledo, Brereton’s Baytown has Marshall Mendez taking the riding assignment, Crab Daddy will have Ismerio Villalobos up, Dats Mr. Tap will carry Jean Briceno, Forest Boyce has the call on Barbarian Runner, Hawstone with rider Paco Lopez and Mychel Sanchez will be on Scheduling Dude.

Return to the January 24 issue of Wire to Wire