Bitumen Impresses in Sanford S.

By: Claudia L. Ruiz

Saturday’s $150,000 Gr.3 Sanford Stakes saw a field of five two-year-olds break from the starting gate at Saratoga Race Course, but only one gallop to an impressive win. Making only his second career start, Eddie Kenneally-trained Bitumen took the honors with a 1 ¾ length win in the six furlong contest.

The dark bay colt by Mineshaft, Bitumen broke from post position five and was second last to leave the gate. Jockey Javier Castellano, who was aboard for the ride, settled his mount into fourth while pacesetter Zartera clocked the quarter in a speedy 22.61 and the half in 45.79. Random Walk took over after the half-mile and led the field to five furlongs in 58.17, but was unable to hold off the late rally of Bitumen, who charged down the center of the track with unrelenting speed. The final time for the six furlong race was 1:10.68.

The race was an elating performance by a colt who just broke his maiden by 6 ¾ lengths on June 30th at Churchill Downs.

Sitting behind three horses for much of the race, Bitumen was forced to take a substantial amount of kickback for the first time. But according to jockey Javier Castellano, he handled it well and came through when asked. “He went through it and figured it out really quick,” Castellano said. “Turning for home he gave me great acceleration. [The way he did it was] very professional.”

Trainer Eddie Kenneally expressed nothing but contentment for his second-time starter, stating, “I’m delighted with the performance. He ran really, really well and got a great education today. It shows how much class he has. He’s a really nice horse.”

Purchased for $280,000 at the OBS March 2016 Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training as Hip #63, Bitumen was bred in Kentucky by Jamm LTD and is owned by Joseph W. Sutton. To date he has accumulated $117,900 in earnings. Connections have not stated where the colt will run next.

Order of finish behind the winner: Random Walk (Jose Ortiz), Zartera (Irad Ortiz), Bronson (John Velazquez) and Bay Numbers (Paco Lopez).

Bitumen was the favorite and returned $3.90 for the win, $2.50 for place and $2.10 for show.