G. Watts Humphrey Jr.’s homebred REY DE CAFE (Kingmambo) rallied from midpack
in Friday’s $114,700
Hill Prince S. (G3) to take the nine-furlong turf test by a
nose. In the process, the George Arnold-trained sophomore gave jockey Javier
Castellano a sweep of the graded races at Belmont Park after the rider posted
another nose victory aboard Beacon Shine (Montbrook) in the Flash S. (G3) one
race prior.
Rey de Cafe was settled in fifth as Tinseltown (Pine Bluff) set the opening
mark of :24 4/5. Better Than Bonds (Sweetsouthernsaint) took over through splits
of :48 4/5 and 1:12 3/5 as the eventual winner actually dropped back a couple of
positions. Classic Campaign (Rahy) moved up from his rear position to get a mile
in 1:37, but Rey de Cafe wasn’t far behind, bumping with that rival when Prince
Rahy (Rahy) came in under right handed whipping. It wasn’t enough to stop him,
as the chestnut colt finished the firm turf event in 1:49 1/5.
Sent off the near 2-1 favorite, Rey de Cafe paid $5.90, $3.80 and $2.70 while
keying exotics of $83.50 (exacta), $310 (trifecta) and $1,400 (1-5-9-3
superfecta). Prince Rahy held second by a neck over Classic Campaign, giving
back $12 and $6.90 at 18-1 while show was worth $3.30 at 7-2. Crown Point (Honor
Grades) came next by 1 1/2 lengths and was followed by Tinseltown, Tadreeb
(Theatrical [Ire]), Better Than Bonds, Chief Commander (Deputy Commander) and Becrux (Ity) (Glen Jordan). Interpatation (Langfuhr) and Defer (Danzig) were
scratched.
Rey de Cafe adds this victory to wins in the Crown Royal American Turf S.
(G3) and Bourbon County S. He’s also placed in the Transylvania S. (G3) and
Grand Canyon H., and now shows a record of 10-4-2-1, $268,138. The Kentucky bred
brought $290,000 as a Fasig-Tipton August yearling and is out of the winning
Commodities (Private Account), dam of an unnamed 2005 Lemon Drop Kid filly.