Ivan Rodriguez’ Selected Yearling Sale graduate Sharp Azteca is the latest OBS millionaire after leading from gate to wire and taking Saturday’s $300,000 Kelso Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park by four lengths. It’s the fourth graded stakes win for the two time OBS graduate, sold first by Select Sales at the 2014 August Selected Yearling Sale. After turning in an Under Tack eighth in :10 1/5 prior to the 2015 April Sale, he was purchased for $220,000 by Mr. Rodriguez’ Gelfenstein Farm from de Meric Sales, Agent for Golden Legacy Stables. Trained by Jorge Navarro, the 4-year-old colt by Freud is now 14-7-4-1 and has earned $1,136,740 to date. watch his under tack video
Robert LaPenta and Head of Plains Partners LLC’s Coal Front set the pace in the $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes (G3) at Parx on Saturday, surrendered the lead briefly in the final furlong, then came again late and scored by half a length, running six furlongs in 1:08 4/5. Entrymate and fellow OBS graduate Petrov (June ’16) checked in third. It’s the second graded stakes win for the 3-year-old colt by Stay Thirsty, now 5-4-0-0 with earnings of $411,000 for trainer Todd Pletcher. At the 2016 OBS April Sale, he sped a sped a quarter in :21 1/5 at the Under Tack Show before he was purchased for $575,000 out of the Kirkwood Stables consignment by Steven W. Young on behalf of Mr. LaPenta. watch his under tack video