William and Corrine Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm, and Whispering Oaks Farm's impressive seven-length maiden winner Gulfport will try stakes company against five rival 2-year-olds in the $175,000 Bashford Manor Stakes on Monday, July 4, at Churchill Downs.
The 121st running of the Bashford Manor, a listed stakes, will go as Race 6 of 9 with a post time of 3:18 p.m. (ET) on the track's closing day card, which will also feature the $175,000 Debutante Stakes for juvenile fillies and the $175,000 Hanshin Stakes, both also listed events.
Gulfport and three other entrants are making their stakes debuts.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Gulfport dazzled on debut June 10 at Churchill Downs. The bay son of Uncle Mo dominated eight other juveniles as the heavy 1-2 favorite, completing five furlongs in a swift :56.85 and earning a solid 92 Brisnet Speed Rating. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the return call.
Asmussen has won the Bashford Manor six times, most recently with Cazadero in 2020.
Another promising entrant is Susan Moulton's homebred debut winner Andthewinneris, who tries dirt for the first time in the Bashford Manor.
Trained by Wayne Catalano, Andthewinneris caught the eyes of many in his first start April 28 on Keeneland's turf course when he closed from 7 ¾ lengths off the early pace to win by two lengths under Flavien Prat. He earned a 79 Brisnet Speed Rating for the victory in the 5 1/2-furlong event.
The bay son of Oscar Performance has worked twice at Churchill Downs, including a swift half-mile move in :46.80, the best of 155 horses at the distance on June 18. James Graham has the mount.
Trainer Mark Casse will send out D. J. Stable's Stayhonor Goodside. The Ontario-bred son of Honor Code trounced six rivals in his debut on Woodbine's all-weather track with Kazushi Kimura aboard, romping gate to wire for a 5 ½-length victory as the 6-5 favorite. Florent Geroux has the mount.
Owen's Leap, trained by Tom Amoss, captured his debut May 27 at Churchill Downs with Edgar Morales in the irons. The Bolt d'Oro colt won by 1 ¾ lengths going five furlongs.
Two other entrants have previous stakes experience: Mr. Gordy and Simply Super, both unplaced (fourth and eighth, respectively) behind Tom's Regret in the five-furlong Kentucky Juvenile Stakes May 5 at Churchill. Each won their respective debuts: Mr. Gordy, a son of Mo Town, on April 13 at Keeneland; Simply Super, by Super Saver, on April 20 at the Lexington track.
All runners carry 120 pounds.
$175,000 Bashford Manor Stakes in post-position order (with jockey and trainer):
- Gulfport (Brian Hernandez Jr., Steve Asmussen)
- Owen's Leap (Edgar Morales, Tom Amoss)
- Andthewinneris (James Graham, Wayne Catalano)
- Mr. Gordy (Gerardo Corrales, John Hancock)
- Stayhonor Goodside (Florent Geroux, Mark Casse)
- Simply Super (Tyler Gaffalione, Mike Maker)
The post Fireworks Possible: Talented Juveniles Gulfport, Andthewinneris Seek First Stakes Win In Bashford Manor appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.