Break Even Still Undefeated After Coronation Cup

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Klein Racing’s homebred Break Even kept her undefeated record intact with a stellar first-time effort over the lawn in Sunday’s $100,000 Coronation Cup Stakes at Saratoga.

Breaking from post 4 as the even-money favorite under Shaun Bridgmohan, Break Even proved to be the quickest into stride and immediately set out on an unpressured lead. After refusing to acquiesce to Bridgmohan’s attempts to slow her down, Break Even posted lightning-quick opening fractions of :21.03 and :43.50.

Still in hand as she straightened for home, Break Even continued to run strongly in the stretch and only needed an occasional reminder from Bridgmohan to keep persevering. Unfettered by a late run from Eyeinthesky, the Brad Cox-trained Break Even crossed with a length advantage in a final time of 1:01.59 for the 5 1/2-furlong sprint over the firm outer turf course.

“She has been so special from day one,” Bridgmohan said. “She means a lot to me. She’s so laid back and does everything so professionally. That’s why I took an affinity to her. Not only is she fast, but she’s talented. Her first time on the turf and she broke and wanted to go. At first, I tried to slow her down and she didn’t want to. She’d won five in a row, so I said, ‘OK, let me be a good passenger and stay out of her way.’ Speed is her asset and she has a lot of class about her. She’s a very classy filly. She runs on anything. She’s won on fast, sloppy, turf. Whatever you put her on, she’s game.”

Eyeinthesky showed good energy to rally from last to take second by 1 1/2 lengths over Bohemian Bourbon, who nosed out a weakening Midnight Fantasy for third. My Galina nosed out Lyrical Lady late to complete the order of finish.

A Bit of Both, Abyssinian, and I’llhandalthecash were listed as trainer scratches.

Break Even’s win, the sixth of her career, was also her fourth in a stakes event and increased her career earnings mark to $424,900. The 3-year-old daughter of Country Day won her first two career starts at Fair Grounds before stringing off wins in the Purple Martin Stakes at Oaklawn Park, the Eight Belles Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs, and the Jersey Girl Stakes at Belmont Park.

“She does it easy,” said winning owner Bob Klein. “It’s not a run-off; she’s very relaxed. We’ve had a lot of nice horses, but this may be the nicest we’ve ever had. To start 6-for-6; she’s been at five different racetracks; she’s been on the turf, slop, dirt, 7/8 (of a mile), 3/4 (of a mile), 5 1/2 (furlongs). She’ll do whatever you ask her to do.”

Break Even returned $4.20 to win, $3.30 to place, and $2.50 to show. Eyeinthesky brought back $4.30 to place and $2.90 to show, while Bohemian Bourbon paid $3.20 to show.