NYRA/Adam Coglianese
by Sarah Mace
Sudden Surprise, a Repole Stable homebred by Mike Repole’s New York-based freshman sire Giant Surprise, is now a two-time stakes winner and a perfect 3-for-3 after a frontrunning victory over the short but salty field of the 7-furlong $150,000 Bertram F. Bongard for New York-bred juveniles on Belmont’s Sunday card.
Comfortable winner of his previous two starts, a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight in the slop at Saratoga on July 30 and the Funny Cide Stakes, a 6 1/2-furlong contest at the same venue on August 28, Sudden Surprise was 7-2 third choice in the betting for the Bongard and facing his toughest competition to date.
Lined up with the Todd Pletcher-trainee were, among others, 6-5 favorite Championofthenile, who aired by six lengths in his second start at Saratoga on September 4 for Linda Rice, 3-2 second choice Get Jets, impressive debut winner on August 19 at the Spa for Tony Dutrow, and Broman homebred Manipulated, runner up to Sudden Surprise in the Funny Cide.
Breaking well from post four under Johnny Velazquez, aboard for both previous starts, Sudden Surprise cleared the competition and maneuvered over to the rail along the backstretch, while Championofthenile pursued a length back in second in the two path followed by Get Jets at the rail.
After carving out early fractions of 23.91 and 47.22, Sudden Surprise was faced with more pressure as the tightly-packed field negotiated the far turn. Championofthenile pressed closer, Steven’s Image advanced into third, Manipulated loomed widest of all in fourth, while Get Jets hugged the rail and prepared for his bid.
Still clear by a length at the head of the lane, Sudden Surprise turned back Championofthenile, but drifted out, giving Get Jets the opportunity to scoot up the rail with a late rush. Sudden Surprise then dug in and held on to preserve the victory by a neck in a final time of 1:23.52. Get Jets finished second 1 1/4 lengths in front of Championofthenile, who was followed across the finish line by Manipulated and Steve’s Image. [VIDEO]
Conditioner Todd Pletcher said, “I thought he ran very well. He got a good start and seemed like he responded every time he was challenged. I think today’s race was an open stakes-caliber race. There were some very good colts in here so I think everything is in play [for his next race].”
Winning owner/breeder Mike Repole was on hand to enjoy the win and add his lively two cents. “I joked with Todd, our next start will be either in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile or the Sleepy Hollow,” said Repole. “This race came up like a Grade 1 New York-bred 2 year-old stakes race. Probably the toughest New York-bred 2-year-old stakes race in history. I couldn’t believe the two horses I saw in the race . . . Our horse is 3-for-3 and he’s done everything right. He just keeps getting better.”
Foaled at Mill Creek Farm in Stillwater, Sudden Surprise, now a $253,800-earner from three winning efforts, is the first foal out of Ready and Good, a placed Florida-bred runner by More than Ready, also trained by Pletcher for Repole, who had a lone career start. She has visited Repole stallions exclusively, and has a yearling filly by Overdriven and a weanling filly by Stay Thirsty. She was bred this year to Uncle Mo.
Sudden Surprise’s sire Giant Surprise, who stands at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, likewise won his lone start for Repole/Pletcher in a much-anticipated debut at Saratoga four summers ago. He completed the six furlongs a 4 1/4-length winner in 1:10.23 and earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure, but unfortunately suffered a non-displaced condylar fracture during the race or shortly after and had to be vanned off the track and retired.
Repole said on Sunday, “It’s so cool because [Sudden Surprise is] by my stallion Giant’s Surprise who’s throwing some really nice horses.”
