Beach Gold, Pondering, Tomasello Win Ellis Stakes
Florida invader Beach Gold proved right at home Aug. 2 in the Bluegrass State, setting a course record in upsetting the $249,375 Kentucky Downs Preview Mint Millions Turf Mile Stakes at Ellis Park.
Keith Asmussen rode JSM Equine’s homebred 4-year-old Omaha Beach colt, who notched his third consecutive victory and fourth win in his last five starts. Saturday’s race was his first start in a stakes race.
He paid $47.78 to win after diving to the inside under Asmussen to catch runner-up Epic Ride , third-place Encino , and favored fourth-place finisher Mercante . He smoked a mile on firm turf in 1:31.76.
FanDuel broadcaster Andie Biancone, daughter of trainer Patrick Biancone, recounted how she told Asmussen 10 months ago that if she had to pick one horse for him to ride in her father’s stable, it would be Beach Gold.
“So this truly feels like a dream come true. I’m just so proud of both of them,” she said.
In two other Saturday stakes at Ellis Park, other preps for upcoming stakes at Kentucky Downs:
- Godolphin’s Pondering ($6.74), a homebred 3-year-old daughter of Hard Spun , ran down older rivals under Tyler Gaffalione to capture the $244,588 Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes for trainer Brendan Walsh.
- Tomasello ($11.56) wore down pacesetting Yinzer to take the $250,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Nashville Derby under Fernando De La Cruz. Hall of Famer Mark Casse trains the 3-year-old son of Authentic for owners Ironhorse Racing Stable and T-N-T Equine Holdings.
