NEWS: RACING

Retonova kicks clear to take NYSS Times Square second out

Sunday, April 22nd, 2018

NYRA/Chelsea Durand

By Sarah Mace

In just his second career start, My Purple Haze Stables’ Retonova kicked clear in the stretch to win Aqueduct’s co-featured $100,000 Times Square division of New York Stallion Stakes series carded for eligible New York-sired sophomores. The undefeated winner is a dark bay gelded son of Boys at Tosconova, a top-10 New York sire standing at Questroyal North in Stillwater.

Drawn well in the outside post of five, by post-time Retonova was bet down to 2-5 favoritism to win the 6 1/2-furlong tilt. In his unveiling at Aqueduct on March 17 for trainer Chris Englehart, he stalked his way to a 4-length victory in 1:12.50 for six furlongs, which earned a strong Beyer Speed Figure of 80. He also emerged as the bettors’ clear choice after main rival A True Giant was scratched at the gate.

Under jockey Trevor McCarthy, who had the repeat call after guiding Retonova to victory in his bow, the gelding was reserved in the early stages. The pair settled in fourth place in the four-path three lengths off the pace set by a headstrong Belleville Spring, who clocked fast early fractions of 22.77 and 45.21 while Aqua Bel Sar chased in second.

Rounding the far turn three-wide, Retonova began his bid in earnest. He advanced into third and, moving in tandem with Aqua Bel Sar, overtook a tiring Belleville Spring. At this point, Retonova had all the momentum on his side. He kicked clear of Aqua Bel Sar and drew off to secure the victory by 2 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:16.62

Longshot Spectacular Kid (18-1) got up for second, while Aqua Bel Sar held on to the show. Santo Antonio finished a neck back in fourth and pacesetter Belleville Spring faded to last. [VIDEO REPLAY]

McCarthy realized he had a nice youngster on his hands after riding Retonova to victory first out. “He ran such a great race for me and after I won the first time with him I called my agent and said, ‘whatever you do, don’t let him get away.’” McCarthy continued, “He was pretty impressive today. Being on the outside and that other horse scratching, it was an advantage.”

McCarthy felt that Retonova’s talent made up for some lack of seasoning. “He’s still a little green in the lane, but he shows a lot of ability. He was a little worked up back there [in the gate]. I was getting a little nervous because he was getting a little hot and antsy. But when he broke, he was doing so good. He was in a perfect spot.”

Bred by Barry Ostrager, Retonova is out of Kentucky-bred stakes winner and successful producer Jb’s Golden Regret.

Ostrager bought Jb’s Golden Regret for just $17,000 at the 2011 Keeneland November sale. She has produced six winners from six foals to start. Retonova is her first stakes winner, but she has two more stakes performers. Six-year-old Gypsum Johnny by City Zip is a multiple stakes performer and has earned nearly $500,000, and E J’s Legacy by Freud is also stakes placed.

Jb’s Golden Regret produced a full sister to Retonova in 2016 named She’s Irie, has a yearling colt by City Zip and was bred last year to the late Effinex.

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