Extravaganzoo romps in $175K Key Cents
Extravaganzoo proved to be much the best with a 5 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s $175,000 Key Cents, a one-mile Widener turf test for New York-bred 2-year-old fillies, at Belmont Park.
Trained by George Weaver for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds, Extravaganzoo was sent off as the 4-5 favorite after a 2 3/4-length score in the 6 1/2-furlong state-bred Joseph A. Gimma on October 2 here. The Golden Pal dark bay had no qualms with the added distance on Saturday, drawing off impressively under Samuel Marin.
“The way she did it last race was incredible, so I was not worried,” Marin said. “Mr. Weaver has been doing this a long time and knows how to do it. He told me to be patient with her and she would be there for me – and he wasn’t wrong.”
Extravaganzoo exited post 3 and bumped with stablemate Boomesherang before settling in the third flight off the pace set by 38-1 longshot Saint Dymphna through the opening quarter-mile in 23.09 seconds over the firm turf.
Marin remained patient down the backside as Saint Dymphna rattled off a half-mile in 46.44 while facing pressure from Luck Penny and Forecheck. Extravaganzoo went wide around the turn and picked off rivals with little urging from her rider.
“At the three-eighths, I thought I was going to have to go,” said Marin. “I took a look at the leaders and it looked like they were going quick enough for me to catch up with them. I was not worried, and I was sitting on a lot of horse.”
After three-quarters in 1:11.10, Extravaganzoo was set down and leveled off impressively, drawing well clear to complete the mile in 1:35.20.
The maiden Belmont Street was second, followed by Saint Dymphna and Boomesherang. Luck Penny, Blessednotbothered, Gold Fashioned, Golden Maiden and Forecheck rounded out the order of finish. Under the Moon was scratched.
Extravaganzoo banked $96,250 in victory while improving her record to 5-3-0-1 and returning $3.82 for a $2 win bet. Her ledger includes an open-company third in the Listed Bolton Landing in August at Saratoga Race Course.
Jockey Chris Elliott said the Rick Dutrow, Jr.-trained Belmont Street performed admirably in just her third lifetime start. The Corniche bay was third on debut in an open maiden in August at Saratoga Race Course and fourth at the same level last out on October 4 here, both at 1 1/16 miles.
“She’s continuing to improve every time. She’s still learning, but she’s a very nice New York-bred filly,” Elliott said. “I saved all the ground, made a run on the inside, but the winner was much the best.”
Bred by Fred W. Hertrich, III and Robert L. Tribbett, Extravaganzoo, a $375,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale purchase, is out of the Blame mare Prisoner’s Dilemma, a half-sister to dual graded stakes-placed Brigand and Hush Now, dam of graded stakes-placed Hush of a Storm.
Live racing resumes Sunday at Belmont Park with an 11-race card headlined by the Grade 3, $200,000 Forty Niner in Race 9 and the Grade 3, $200,000 Bold Ruler in Race 2. The lucrative program also features the Listed $175,000 Turnback the Alarm [Race 8], $175,000 Casa Creed [Race 10] and state-bred $175,000 Notebook [Race 4]. First post is 11:30 a.m. Eastern.
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