Seymourdini impressive in State Dinner romp
by Brian Bohl
Iris Smith Stable's Seymourdini was dominant in winning his first stakes race, capturing the second running of the $100,000 State Dinner for 4-year-olds and up by an impressive 10 ½ lengths on Monday at Belmont Park.
The 4-year-old son of Bernardini went to the front with Ocean Knight, setting fractions of 22.62 seconds for a quarter-mile with the half going in 44.94 under heavy rain. Jockey Jose Ortiz moved Seymourdini just off the inside out of the turn and gained separation in the stretch to complete 1 1/16 miles in 1:39.81.
Seymourdini won his third straight race following a pair of victories in allowance races at Laurel Park. He improved his career record to 5-2-1 in nine starts.
Off as the 9-5 favorite, Seymourdini paid $5.90 on a $2 win bet and improved his career earnings to $229,027. Rice said he might next target the Grade 1, $600,000 Forego on August 26 at Saratoga Race Course with the ultimate goal being the Grade 1, $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap on December 2 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
"I like running him further," Rice said. "He relaxes. He's run two spectacular miles. I think our long-term goal should be the Cigar Mile. That races makes stallions."
Seymourdini won his first start going 1 1/16 miles.
Trainer Todd Pletcher saw his two entrants, Hard Study and Madefromlucky, finish second and third, respectively.