Flameaway’s Bear River went gate-to-wire to win the $2 million Mint Kentucky Turf Sprint (G2) Aug. 30 at Kentucky Downs, giving the 4-year-old his first graded stakes win and simultaneously earning his connections an automatic, fees paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
On a turf course that has favored speed, Bear River went right to the front in the six-furlong dash. Pipsy was his closest pursuer for the first half-mile, then in the final furlong Howard Wolowitz made a late charge, but could get no closer than a half-length at the wire.
The final time was 1:07.71, just a tick off the track record.
“We live in California and [winning trainer Keith Desormeaux] doesn’t come out there anymore,” owner Charles Marquis said. “We had to come here to see him, and I’m sure glad we did. I couldn’t breathe. I’m glad [Bear River] could. He ran a great race. He runs up front, and front speed seems to be good here today. It’s fabulous.”
Bear River, who had won three listed stakes before Saturday’s breakthrough win, is now 7-0-3 in 22 starts and has earned $1,698,823.
Bear River was bred in Kentucky by Dreamfields Farm, Don Brady & Brendan Burke.
Bear River is one of five stakes winners this year for Flameaway, who is currently third on the Third-Crop sire list.
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