News Weekend Hideaway Returns to Win Affirmed Success at Belmont Park April 29, 2016 News Weekend Hideaway Returns to Win Affirmed Success at Belmont Park April 29, 2016 By: Jared Welch twitterfacebooklinkedinemail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ELMONT, N.Y. – A well-rested Weekend Hideaway came back from a three-month freshening and rolled to a 2 ¼-length victory over favored Loki’s Vengeance in Friday’s $100,000 Affirmed Success for New York-breds as Belmont Park opened for its 54-day spring/summer meet. With Luis Saez aboard, Weekend Hideaway sat just off brisk early fractions of 22.32 and 45.14 seconds set by Little Popsie, hitting his best stride when asked as the field of eight turned for home. The 6-year-old son of Speightstown grabbed the lead with just over a furlong to go, and went on to hit the wire in 1:10.30.. “We had a good break and I thought we’d get to the lead but I waited and sat on the rail,” said Saez. “I had plenty of horse and at the quarter-pole was able to get through and up to the wire. He’s a good horse and tries all the time.” The victory was the first in a stake in more than a year for Weekend Hideaway, who took the Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream Park in January 2015. He notched his second win as a 5-year-old in an allowance in November at Gulfstream Park West, but then stalled and was seventh in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector in December. “He ran a huge, huge race before [the Mr. Prospector],” said Phil Serpe, who trains Weekend Hideaway for Red and Black Stable. “I guess he went a little backwards off that race. He hadn’t been away from the track in two years, and it was already in our plans to send him away for a while. We sent him to South Carolina to freshen him up, and he came back really well today. He just needed a little vacation.” Sent off at 5-1, Weekend Hideaway returned $12.40 for a $2 win wager as he extended his career record to 9-4-4 from 30 starts and his earnings to $631,532. “He’s a nice horse,” said Serpe of Weekend Hideaway, who also counts the Bertram F. Bongard, Gone Fishin, John Morrissey and David stakes among his New York victories. “He always steps up and runs a big race for us during the year. He’s a nice horse to have in the barn.” Serpe said he would consider the $200,000 Commentator at a mile for Weekend Hideaway’s next start on Big Apple Showcase Day, Monday, May 30. Loki’s Vengeance, who rallied from fifth, was followed under the wire by Drama King, Ostrolenka, Little Popsie, Between the Lines, Eye Luv Lulu, and Bond Vigilante. Possessed was scratched. Opening weekend stakes action continues Saturday with the $100,000 Elusive Quality for turf sprinters. First race post time is 1:30 p.m. and gates open at 11:30 a.m. NYRA
Kentucky Derby 2024 Pre-Draw: What Post Each Horse Needs To Win | Blinkers Off 663 The Racing Dudes take a look at the contenders of… Read More
Kentucky Derby First Look and NHL/NBA Playoff Update | Dudes Who Bet Sports 189 Aaron and Papa Dude discuss the probable for the 150th… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Horse Profiles – How Each Horse Can Win | Blinkers Off 662 The Racing Dudes take a look at the contenders of… Read More
Keeneland Pick 5 | The Magic Mike Show 542 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
NBA & NHL Playoff Previews & Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 188 Aaron and Papa Dude discuss OJ Simpson, UConn’s national championship… Read More
Kentucky Derby Contenders: Get To Know The Field The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) will take… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2024 Pre-Draw: What Post Each Horse Needs To Win | Blinkers Off 663 The Racing Dudes take a look at the contenders of… Read More
Churchill Downs FREE Win Picks | Saturday, April 27, 2024 Get our FREE win picks for Churchill Downs on Saturday,… Read More
Santa Anita Park Picks | Royal Heroine Stakes 2024 Multiple graded stakes winner Bellabel and a new arrival to… Read More
Aqueduct Picks | Woodhaven Stakes 2024 West Point Thoroughbreds and Steven Bouchey’s Grade 1-winner Carson’s Run… Read More