Racing Dudes Three Stars of the Week: He’s One Bad Boy

The action was fierce last Saturday in the horse racing world, with several tracks running great races across North America. Woodbine hosted their biggest day of the year, while Gulfstream Park put the sprinters on display in their “Summit of Speed” program. In the end, it was tough to narrow it down to just three horses for this week’s article, but we tried our best. Here’s the latest Three Stars of the Week:

1. One Bad Boy

The name says it all! A field of 14 horses entered this year’s Queen’s Plate Stakes; however, One Bad Boy stood out above them all. Sent off at a solid price of 7/2, he shot to the lead early and never relinquished it the entire way around the track. Turning for home, the morning line favorite Avie’s Flatter drew alongside the leader, only to be turned away with ease in mid-stretch. From there, nobody was catching him as he cruised home to a convincing 3 1/2-length victory. Jockey Flavien Prat became just the third jockey ever to pull off the Kentucky Derby (G1) – Queen’s Plate double in the same season. You have to think One Bad Boy could be good enough to pull off the Canadian Triple Crown if his connections choose to go that route.

2. Dunbar Road

It’s starting to look like Chad Brown could take control of the 3-year-old filly division. Just weeks after Guarana crushed in the Acorn Stakes (G1), his “other” filly Dunbar Road made short work of her competition in the Mother Goose Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. After looking like she might be in some trouble early while hemmed in behind horses, she had no problem finally getting some room to run when turning for home. Jockey Jose Ortiz tipped her out in the 4-path for the stretch run and she accelerated past her rivals for an in-hand 2 1/2-length victory. This race gives her a good resume boost and sets her up for her next challenge, which will likely come at Saratoga.

3. Synchrony

The third star was heavily debated between several quality horses, but Synchrony seemed to be the most eye-catching performance of the weekend. He was sent off as the heavy favorite in the King Edward Stakes (G2), with the only question mark being the 1-mile distance, where he has struggled in the past. It looked like it would be more of the same in this spot as well, with the horse being dead last and in behind a wall of horses turning for home. Then, Javier Castellano moved the horse in the clear for the stretch run, and Synchrony commenced a tremendous rally. Approaching the wire, he had the front-running Curlin’s Honor to catch, which wasn’t a problem as he eased by him to win the race by a length. The only thing missing on his resume is a Grade 1 triumph, with a try at that kind of company being likely after this awesome performance.