Adam Coglianese
Maiden runner and second-time starter Bustin It (Bustin Stones) caught a flyer at the bell and never looked back, scoring a much-the-best victory in the inaugural running of Belmont’s $125,000 Rockville Centre Stakes* for New York-bred 2-year-olds, the final stakes race of the Belmont spring/summer meet.
Five juveniles lined up for the Rockville Centre after the early scratch of Cosmo Storm. A narrow second choice in the betting (1.05-1), Bustin It debuted a very strong runner-up in open company to Nonna’s Boy (Distorted Humor) over a muddy (sealed) track at Belmont on June 13. Nonna’s Boy is a top Pletcher/Repole prospect scheduled to make his next start in the Sanford Stakes on Saratoga’s opening weekend. Post time favorite (even money) was International Star (Fusaichi Pegasus), who broke his maiden well for Mike Maker and Ken and Sarah Ramsey in an open turf sprint in his unveiling on June 21. Since his debut, Bustin It had posted a pair of bullet works at three and four furlongs for trainer Mike Mareina, who co-owns the blaze-faced chestnut colt with S J Bee Stable and Kuehne Racing.
Exploding out of the gate under jockey Rajiv Maragh, Bustin It quickly opened up daylight on the field even before most of his rivals were properly into stride.
International Star pursued in second and mounted a bid three furlongs out, but Bustin It let it out another notch under a motionless Maragh, and extended his lead, ultimately winning by seven lengths on cruise control.
After clocking early fractions of 22.87 and 45.93, Bustin It stopped the clock after six furlongs at 1:11.69. Following runner-up International Star across the line were Midnight Nick, Elusive New Yorker and Essence at Noon. [VIDEO]
Maragh said, “I think the experience had a lot to do with [the improvement in his second start]. He’s a typical 2-year-old, still learning the ropes, but it was a drastic improvement from his first race to today. He was much more focused, and he knew what it was about today. He left the gate, willing. He’s naturally fast.”
Trainer Mareina added, “I thought he ran well. It worked out just like I wanted. I told [jockey] Rajiv [Maragh] to open up out of the gate – he’s super quick – then once you open up sit on him and maintain a couple length lead; don’t burn him up early. Rajiv rode him absolutely perfect, and when he asked he kicked away and was throttled down.”
If all goes as planned, the chestnut colt, now a $90,000 earner, will start next in the $200,000 Funny Cide on Saratoga Showcase Day.
Bustin It, bred Casey Newick LLC and foaled at Meadow View Thoroughbreds in Canajoharie, is the third runner and third winner out of I Drink Alone, a winning New York-bred daughter of Intidab bred by Phil Trowbridge and Kip Elser. Out of stakes performer Grab Gingerly, I Drink Alone is a half-sister to stakes winner and graded stakes-placed Pavo ($304,991). Her second foal May Shares (Stonesider) is also a stakes winner, having beaten the boys as a juvenile in the Island Sun overnight stakes last October.
Bustin It, the second stakes winner for his sire Bustin Stones who stands at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, was purchased by Kuehne Racing for $70,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred preferred yearling sale.
*Rockville Center, for which the stakes is named, is a village located just southeast of Belmont Park named for Mordecai “Rock” Smith, an 18th century preacher, community leader, blacksmith, farmer, and justice of the peace.
