Racing for the first time in his native New York, AJ Suited Racing Stable’s Saint Pierre, who established a turf course record of 1:33.30 going a mile at Laurel Park in his previous start, finished third in Friday’s featured $80,000 Rob ‘n Gin Stakes at Belmont Park.
Saint Pierre was making his sixth start in North America for trainer James Toner in the Rob ‘n Gin Stakes after beginning his career in Great Britain. Cutting back in distance to seven furlongs for his second stakes try in this county, the 5-year-old gelded son of Speightstown attracted the services of Javier Castello, but was relatively dismissed by bettors at odds of 15-1.
After the break Saint Pierre pressed the pace behind frontrunner Surfrider, who set early fractions of 23.59 and 46.61 while running into a stiff head wind. Given his cue on the turn, Saint Pierre took over the top spot entering the stretch and led the field into the final sixteenth.
At the very end Beau Choix and Upgrade, charging in tandem, shot past Saint Pierre to finish only a nose apart, while Saint Pierre held well to finish third 1 1/4 lengths back, a result which was confirmed after an inquiry involving fourth place finisher Boot Ahead. The final time for the seven furlongs over the “good” Widener turf was 1:23.39.
After compiling a record of 2-0-1 from nine starts in Great Britain, Saint Pierre has recorded two allowance wins in this country, first going a mile at Pimlico in May and last out in his record-setting one-mile performance at Laurel on September 7. He has now earned $65,951 from 15 career starts.
Bred by Gallagher’s Stud, Saint Pierre is one of seven winners produced by Drina, a stakes-winning daughter of Regal and Royal purchased by Gallagher’s Stud for $450,000 at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton November Selected Mixed Sale.
Drina has enjoyed an exceptional career as a broodmare. Headlining her progeny is her second foal, Spain (Thunder Gulch), multiple Grade 1 winner, Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner, earner of over $3.5 million and a multiple stakes producer. Drina is also the dam of Grade 2 winner Puerto Banus by Supremo ($380,410), Grade 3 winner Fantastic Spain by Fantastic Fellow ($362,208), and stakes-winner Path of Thunder by Thunder Gulch ($246,170).
The mare currently has a 2-year-old colt by Lemon Drop Kid named Big Kid, who has not started, and a weanling filly by Afleet Alex named Castilla.
