By Drf.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 25, 2024) – California Thoroughbred Breeders Association January Sale graduate Bodacious is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $225,000 Bashford Manor Stakes for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs.
Drawing a field of 13 2-year-olds, all are making their stakes debuts in the six-furlong race. Six members of the field are Churchill maiden winners. Of the others, just one is a maiden winner in California. One might be all a noteworthy West Coast contingent needs.
Bodacious earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 84 winning his debut on May 3 at Santa Anita for trainer Jorge Periban. The figure is the third best by a 2-year-old this year behind the 88 jointly posted by Mentee and Colloquial in a track-record performance on June 15 at Aqueduct.
Going 4 1/2 furlongs, Bodacious set the pace before powering clear to win by 5 3/4 lengths over next-out winner R Heisman.
California-bred Bodacious, owned in partnership by Griffin Stables, breeder Terry Lovingier, and Paul Sabesky, has breezed six times since his debut win. The majority of those works have been at five furlongs with several bullet or near-bullet moves.
“He’s a big colt, but he’s very fast,” said Periban, who sent in Phantom Boss to win the 2020 Bashford Manor. “I think this race sets up well for him being so fast early. I don’t think the extra distance should be a problem.”
Bodacious, who picks up Joel Rosario, will likely find himself facing Spiralizer in the early going. Spiralizer, a $550,000 purchase in March, won his debut going five furlongs at Churchill for Steve Asmussen, who is looking for his sixth Bashford Manor win to break a tie with D. Wayne Lukas for the all-time record. Spiralizer is well drawn on the rail under Tyler Gaffalione.
After Bodacious, Enduring Spirit sports the field’s next-highest Beyer. From the first crop of Grade 1-winning juvenile and classic performer Tiz the Law, Enduring Spirit was seventh on debut on a sloppy Keeneland track. He improved with a sharp win going five furlongs at Churchill, posting a 76. He has turned in a series of strong four- and five-furlong works at Keeneland for Rafael Ramos.
Conquering Cat, from the first crop of champion juvenile Game Winner, emerged from a runner-up effort to Enduring Spirit to win his next outing going 5 1/2 furlongs at Churchill for Chris Davis, who will also saddle Churchill debut winner Politicallycorrect
Heat is the lukewarm 4-1 morning-line favorite. Bodacious is 9-2. Heat is coming off a five-furlong victory over next-out winner Boundfortrouble on the synthetic track at Gulfstream Park for Mark Casse.
Smoken Wicked moves to Dallas Stewart off a debut win at Evangeline Downs. Happyflyer is also making a barn switch, as he was claimed by Saffie Joseph Jr. out of his maiden win.
Completing the field are Aqueduct debut winner War Tax; Ivan the Great, second by a nose on debut at Santa Anita; Vinegar Hill, a restricted maiden winner at Churchill; Indiana maiden winner Moneyline; and Mo Hair Sam, still a maiden after four starts.
Bodacious is by Smokem, out of the Bodemeister mare My Love Magnet. The $7,000 purchase at the CTBA January Sale won his lone start May 3 by 5 ¾ lengths and has earnings of $32,400.