BLUEGRASS ATATUDE “IMPRESSIVE” IN WINNING FIRST TWO-YEAR-OLD RACE OF THE YEAR
BALTIMORE, 04-15-11---The first race for 2-year-olds in Maryland this year was won today at Pimlico Race Course by the promising filly Bluegrass Atatude, who is trained by John Salzman, Jr. This was the third year in a row that Salzman had won the first baby race of the season, following future stakes winners Gator Prowl and Twelve Pack Shelly. Ten of the last 12 years, the winner of the first juvenile race in the state has been conditioned by a Salzman (John Sr., Tim or John Jr.).
Bluegrass Atatude, a chestnut daughter of Two Punch, was the second choice in the wagering in the 4-1/2 furlong test on the main track. She had produced three bullet workouts leading up to her debut.
When the race started Bluegrass Atatude broke sideways under jockey Harry Vega and was wide and racing sixth, ahead of only two runners, going around the far turn. The filly picked up rivals into the lane, came between horses and accelerated past the frontrunners to win going away by two lengths.
“In training she has never been behind runners,” Salzman said. “At the quarter-pole you couldn’t have given me a (winning) ticket on her. She is fast from the gate and has always been in front. To come from behind like that was impressive.”
Bluegrass Atatude paid $4.40. 26-1 shot Dancing Anna was second, producing a $77 exacta. Defy Gravity, at odds of 19-1, finished third. The 6-2-3 trifecta returned $418.20.
Ten minutes earlier, Salzman won the first two-year-old race of the year in New York with Distinctly Donovan at Aqueduct.
“Wesley Ward had two in there and had the favorite here (Forever Noble, who finished sixth),” added Salzman. “He is really good with young horses so to be able to win both races is exciting.”
Salzman indicated the $150,000 My Dear Stakes at Woodbine on June 25 is under consideration for Bluegrass Atatude and the $150,000 Victoria Stakes, a week earlier for his talented two-year-old colts.
Salzman will saddle morning line favorite Threeanddonedan in the first two-year-old colt or gelding race of 2011 in tomorrow’s opener at Pimlico.
-mjc-
PHOTO CREDIT-Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club
Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club
410-578-4461 (Pimlico)
301-470-5461 (Laurel Park)
240-876-7403 (Mobile)
This e-mail, and any documents or data attached hereto, is intended for the intended recipients only. It may contain confidential and/or privileged information and no rights have been waived by the sender. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby NOTIFIED that any dissemination, distribution, retention, archiving or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify me at the telephone number shown above or by return mail and delete this communication and any copy immediately. MID provides no assurances that this e-mail and its attachments are virus free; you are responsible for scanning all e-mails and attachments for viruses. MID disclaims all liability for damages caused by any virus which may be transmitted by this email. Thank you.
