DEL MAR, CA – Bowie’s Hero sat a great trip and made it count with a brilliant late burst of speed to win Saturday’s $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes (G2) at Del Mar. In doing so, the five-year-old son of Artie Schiller picked up his first win of the year and sixth career stakes win, three of which have been run at Del Mar.
Ritzy A.P. broke well on the inside and flew out of the shoot into the early lead. The 3-2 post-time favorite Catapult settled in behind Ritzy A.P. with Ohio on the inside about a length back followed by Sharp Samurai, Bowie’s Hero, and Marckie’s Water at the rear. Catapult swung wide around the final turn and hit the top of the stretch as the narrow leader but had Ritzy A.P. nearby on the inside and pressure coming on the outside. Bowies Hero swung around outside of Catapult and flew right by the rest of the field to get up and win by an easy 2 1/4 lengths. Marckie’s Water also made an impressive late run from the back to get up for second and Ritzy A.P. held on for third followed by Sharp Samurai and Catapult.
“I was in a good spot all the way around,” said winning jockey Flavien Prat. “No problems for me. When we straightened away in the stretch and we got clear, he fired a good one. He was best today.”
This was the fourth stakes win of the meet for Prat who also picked up a fifth win in the Wickerr Stakes later in the card.
This was the second try at the Eddie Read Stakes for Bowie’s Hero who finished fourth place last year behind this year’s post-time betting favorite Catapult. This was the first stakes win for the Phil D’Amato trainee since the Frank E Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita in March of 2018.
I think he’s just rounding back into his form cycle right now, third race off a layoff and Flavien gave him a picture-perfect ride,” said trainer Phil D’Amatto. “I think I raced him one time too many last year, gave him a long break and he was back on point today. Up next is the Del Mar Mile and hopefully, that will get us into the Breeders’ Cup Mile.”
Bowie’s Hero returned $8.80 to win, $4.80 to place, and $3.20 to show. Marckie’s Water brought back $5.40 to place and $4.20 to show, while Ritzy A.P. paid $5.60 to show.
