Senbei returns to winner’s circle in Saturday’s Ashley T. Cole at Aqueduct. Coglianese Photo.
Senbei returned to some front-running tactics not displayed since his turf debut back in July of his 4-year-old season and came away with a gate-to-wire score in Saturday’s $121,250 Ashley T. Cole Stakes at Aqueduct.
The 6-year-old Candy Ridge gelding went to the front from the break of the 6-furlong Ashley T. Cole and stayed there throughout to win by a half-length over Bold Journey. Manny Franco rode Senbei for trainer Miguel Clement and owners Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Darlene Bilinski.
Bred by Dr. Jerry Bilinski and foaled at his Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Senbei improved to 8-for-21 in his career with his first victory since the Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint in early October at Aqueduct. The first-place check of $68,750 also boosted his bankroll to $717,875.
“Manny rode him brilliantly,” Clement said. “Every time someone came to make a challenge, he found a bit more. I do think there was a bit more in the tank. Nevertheless, sometimes making things easy and just going straight to the front in a paceless affair is the right way to go about things – especially with the best horse.”
The Ashley T. Cole, formerly run at 9 furlongs on turf for New York-breds, marked the second start of 2025 for Senbei. He finished fifth, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by My Boy Prince, in his seasonal debut in the Elusive Quality Stakes May 3 at Aqueduct. Named champion 2-year-old New York-bred male in 2021 after winning three stakes on the dirt, including the Funny Cide on Saratoga Showcase Day, Senbei transitioned to turf and synthetic races back in early July 2023.
Sent off as the 7-5 favorite in the compact field of five, Senbei broke well and went to the front ahead of Bold Journey with Locke and Key taking up the immediate chase ahead of Run Curtis Run and 3-2 second choice Twenty Six Black.
Senbei led by a length over Bold Journey through the opening quarter in :23.26, with Run Curtis Run third. Senbei clicked off a half in :45.17, Franco gave a look back heading into the stretch as Locke and Key retreated and Bold Journey continued to make a run at the leader.
Bold Journey tried to draw on even terms with Senbei in midstretch, past 5 furlongs in :56.14. Senbei held sway in deep stretch to win in 1:07.47 over the firm course.
Senbei won in his first start for Miguel Clement, who took over the stable following the passing of his father Christophe Clement in late May.
“That was my plan,” Franco said of the front-running tactics. “When I came to the paddock, I told Miguel, ‘there’s no speed in the race and I think I’m on the fastest horse.’ I didn’t want to make it too complicated. If he broke on top, I’m going to take it, so that’s what I did.
“I was so confident in the first quarter – I knew I went slow enough, so I was happy because I know he likes to fight when the other horse comes to him. I knew he was going to do it today for me, too. Last time, it was a nice race coming off the bench and he ran really well. Today, he was ready. He can compete with state-bred and open company. He’s going to try his best.”
Named by the trainer’s wife and NYRA racing analyst Acacia Clement after the Japanese cracker by the same name, Senbei was purchased from Stuart Morris’s consignment by Christophe Clement for $280,000 as a short yearling during the 2020 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. He’s one of five winners and four stakes performers out of Western Cat daughter Sweet Aloha, who also produced dual stakes winners Filibustin and Indy’s Lady and the stakes-placed Man O Manassas. Filibustin has gone on to be a stakes producer herself as the dam of multiple stakes winner and $192,171-earner Mr Fillip. She’s also the dam of the 2-year-old Omaha Beach filly I Need a Miracle, a $200,000 purchase by Mike Ryan out of last year’s Keeneland September yearling sale.
Sweet Aloha’s youngest foal is the 3-year-old New York-bred Twirling Candy colt named Tropical Candy, who sold for $150,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. Tropical Candy turned in a half-mile breeze in :48.87 on Saratoga’s Oklahoma Training Track in early May.
