Senbei gamely defends lead in $125K Ashley T. Cole
Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Darlene Bilinski’s Senbei dug in on the lead to wire Saturday’s $125,000 Ashley T. Cole, a six-furlong outer turf sprint for New York-breds 3-years-old and up, at Belmont at the Big A.
The 6-year-old Candy Ride gelding was making his first start for trainer Miguel Clement, after finishing fifth last out when making his seasonal debut in the Listed Elusive Quality over course and distance on May 3 for the late Christophe Clement. In that race, Senbei finished behind returning rivals Bold Journey and Twenty Six Black, but he turned the tables in pacesetting fashion on Saturday.
“Every time someone came to make a challenge, he found a bit more,” said Clement. “I do think there was a bit more in the tank. Nevertheless, sometimes making things easy and just going straight to the front in a paceless affair is the right way to go about things - especially with the best horse."
Piloted by Manny Franco, who led him to a closing Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint score in October here, Senbei exited the outermost post 5 sharply to take early command. Locke and Key sat just outside of him with Bold Journey stalking along the rail through an easy opening quarter-mile in 23.26 seconds on the firm turf.
“That was my plan,” Franco said. “When I came to the paddock, I told Miguel, ‘There’s no speed in the race and I think I’m on the fastest horse.’ I didn’t want to make it too complicated. If he broke on top, I’m going to take it, so that’s what I did.”
Jose Lezcano angled Bold Journey out in the turn to set his sights on Senbei who carried the field around the bend as Twenty Six Black looked to improve position along the rail through the half-mile in 45.17.
Senbei was asked by Franco nearing the eighth pole and dug in to the inside of Bold Journey while Run Curtis Run attempted to close from the back as five-eighths elapsed in 56.14.
“I knew I went slow enough, so I was happy because I know he likes to fight when the other horse comes to him,” said Franco. “I knew he was going to do it today for me, too. Today, he was ready. He can compete with state-bred and open company. He’s going to try his best.”
No matter how hard Bold Journey tried, Senbei wouldn’t let him push on by as he held on for a game half-length victory in a final time of 1:07.47.
Run Curtis Run finished three-quarter-lengths back in third, with Twenty Six Black completing the superfecta and Locke and Key rounding out the order of finish. Main track-only entrants Factually Correct, Acoustic Ave, Antonio of Venice and Jackson Heights were scratched.
Senbei, bred by Dr. Jerry Bilinski out of the winning Western Cat mare Sweet Aloha, is a half-brother to multiple stakes-winners Filibustin and Indy’s Lady. He was the 2021 Champion NYTB 2-Year-Old Male after a trio of state-bred dirt sprint stakes wins, and he also captured the Listed Gold Fever as a sophomore.
Clement said the effort may warrant a next start versus open company in the 5 1/2-furlong Grade 2, $300,000 Troy on Whitney Weekend at Saratoga Race Course.
"We'll speak to the connections and work out a plan, but it's very much a target to be honest with you. This horse is like fine wine; he's improving with age,” said Clement.
Lezcano said the Hall of Famer Bill Mott-trained Bold Journey was hindered by tepid early fractions. He closed from last-of-10 for second in the Elusive Quality ahead of a last-out off-the-board result in the Grade 1 Jaipur on June 8 during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga.
“He ran pretty good. He broke good and there wasn’t much speed, nobody goes. The winner got an easy lead. My horse, it’s not his style to be that close. The pace was so slow that I had to [take] that position,” said Lezcano. “He was comfortable. He gave me a run, but the other horse got too easy of a lead and kept going.”
Senbei banked $68,750 in victory while improving his record to 21-8-2-1 and returning $4.90 for a $2 win bet as the post-time favorite. He was nominated for NYTB Champion Male Sprinter in 2024, an award that ultimately went to Rotknee.
Live racing resumes Sunday at Belmont at the Big A with a nine-race card that includes the state-bred $125,000 John Hettinger in Race 8. First post is 12:40 p.m. Eastern.
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