NEWS: RACING

Ostrolenka obliges as favorite in Sleepy Hollow

Saturday, October 18th, 2014
NYRA/Adam Coglianese

NYRA/Adam Coglianese

By Sarah Mace

Eric Fein’s homebred Ostrolenka (Musket Man), winner of a one-mile New York-bred maiden special weight by more than 14 lengths at Belmont Park on September 28, proved the blowout performance was no fluke when he kicked off the stakes portion of Belmont’s Empire Showcase Day card with handy victory as 3-5 favorite in the $250,000 the Sleepy Hollow Stakes for New York-bred juveniles.

Stymied by a sloppy (sealed) track in his Saratoga debut on August 31, but roaring back and winning for fun over a fast track for a 90 Beyer Speed Figure in his second start, Ostrolenka also merited favoritism by coming into the one-mile Sleepy Hollow with eight-panel credentials under his belt, while most of his competition were looking to pass a distance test. He was partnered for the third straight time by jockey John Velazquez.

Out of the gate well from post 2, and taking up a position at the rail Ostrolenka pressed longshot pacesetter Breakin the Fever from the inside, while New York Breeders’ Futurity winner Good Luck Gus tracked in third in the three path through a first quarter-mile in 23.61 and half in 46.91.

Ostrolenka edged up on Breakin the Fever in the far turn, and took over the top spot by the time he was ready to straighten away, but then faced a fresh challenge from Good Luck Gus at the head of the stretch. When Velazquez asked his mount for more, Ostrolenka kicked clear, opening up four lengths in the stretch and ultimately crossing the finish line a 2 1/2-length winner.

After six furlongs in 1:11.83, Ostrolenka stopped the clock after a mile at 1:37.39. Good Luck Gus finished second, three-quarters of length in front of a closing Market Conduct. Following the top three across the finish line were Thank You, Bullheaded Boy, Bellamy Way and Breakin the Fever. [VIDEO]

NYRA/Chelsea Durand

NYRA/Chelsea Durand

Jockey John Velazquez said, “I was getting in tight early on, but once I got a spot inside the five-eighths pole I was comfortable. He got into the bridle and was [going] pretty good. I saw someone moving at the three-eighths pole – I didn’t know who it was – and I said, ‘You know what? Let him go now.’ He’ll go further; he seems like the kind that wants to run all day.”

Byron Hughes, assistant to winning trainer Todd Pletcher, observed, “[Ostrolenka was] very professional once again. He was good in the paddock, good on the track. He seemed to relax there on the front end, especially being on the inside and being hounded the whole way. He kind of broke loose down the stretch and won impressively again. They went in 23, 46 and we thought he might get a little tired there, but it didn’t seem to bother him much at all.”

Ostrolenka, who has earned $186,292 from his two victories, was foaled at Waldorf Farm in N. Chatham. He is one of five winners from five foals to start out of Pumpkin’s Pride, a dirt sprint winner by Louis Quatorze and a half-sister to multiple stakes-winner Gesture (Italy). Previously Pumpkin’s Pride’s most accomplished offspring was multiple stakes-placed Great Gracie Dane, earner of over $344,000. This year the mare produced a filly by Malibu Moon and was bred to Flatter.

 

Leave a Reply