Chelsea Durand Photo

Rinaldi runs away and hi de ho's to capture NYSSS Cab Calloway

by Brian Bohl

Bond Racing Stable's Rinaldi surged to the front and finished even stronger, drawing away in the stretch for a 4 1/4-length win in the 17th running of the $150,000 New York Stallion Stakes Series Cab Calloway on Wednesday at Saratoga Race Course.

Rinaldi, who broke his maiden at second asking in the NYSSS Spectacular Bid Division on June 23 at Belmont, was sent to front by jockey Luis Saez, leading the eight-horse field of 3-year-old state-breds through an opening quarter-mile in 23.93 seconds, the half in 48.51 and three-quarters in 1:12.51 on the inner turf labeled good.

Out of the far turn, Rinaldi was briefly challenged by 9-5 favorite Funny Guy before he extended his lead and gained separation from the pack in the stretch, completing one mile in a final time of 1:36.28 to improve to 2-for-2 against stakes company for trainer H. James Bond.

"He's just stepping up the ladder slowly. We were hoping he would handle the distance and course and he answered that call," Bond said. "Luis did his usual great job and made us all look good. I left it up to Luis because I'm not the one out there on that turf course. It [depends on] how they're handling it going into the turn, and Luis has seen and done a lot more than I have."

Off at 3-1, Rinaldi returned $8.10 on a $2 win wager. The Posse gelding nearly doubled his career earnings, improving his bankroll to $173,640.

"He broke great. He was sharp and put me right there," said Saez, who was aboard for Rinaldi's Spectacular Bid victory and also won the Grade 3 Lake George on Sunday. "He kept me clean all the way. At the half-mile pole, I felt that I had a lot of horse. Turning for home, he just took off for home and exploded. He's really talented."

Funny Guy, the runner-up by 3 ½ lengths over Albie, has finished first-or-second in each of his last five starts for trainer John Terranova.

"My horse ran great," said Funny Guy jockey Rajiv Maragh. "He really gave a good effort and has taken to the turf. I just couldn't get to the winner."

Dashing Dan, Honorable Hero, Smooth Tales, Six Percent and Bettor Bank On It completed the order of finish. Dark Money and Blindwillie McTell scratched.

Live racing will resume on Thursday with an 11-race card that will include the Grade 1, $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial steeplechase as the opener at 12:45 p.m. Eastern, along with the $100,000 John Morrissey for New York-bred 3-year-olds in Race 9 at 5:15 p.m.