Harris, Harris and Karches’ SAINT STEPHEN (Saint Ballado) surged to the front
in midstretch and held off a stern test from a fast-closing Southern Africa
(Cape Town) to take the $100,000
Native Diver H. (G3) at Hollywood
Park on Sunday. Trained by Christophe Clement and piloted by Garrett Gomez, the
six-year-old went 1 1/8 miles over the Cushion Track in 1:48 3/5 and rewarded
his backers with payouts of $9.60, $5.20 and $3.80 at 7-2.
Flamethrowintexan (Way West [Fr]) and Ball Four (Grand Slam) ensured that the
race would be full of early pace, as the former set swift splits of :23 1/5, :46
2/5 1:10 4/5 and 1:36 1/5 for the opening one mile with the latter in close
attendance. As the field approached the turn for home, the leading duo were
still clear, but their dueling had noticeably drained them and the late runners
were picking up momentum.
Saint Stephen went right by the top pair in the stretch and closed with good
energy under a confident Gomez. Southern Africa was near the back of the pack
throughout but finished the race in fine fashion, earning the place spot at 7-1.
The four-year-old paid $7 and $3.60 while completing the $32.90 exacta ($1).
Molengao (Brz) (Royal Academy) closed belatedly on his left lead to gain third
at 7-2, paying $3.20 while finishing off the $125.30 trifecta ($1).
Flamethrowintexan stayed for fourth and was trailed by 8-5 choice Ball Four
and Don Incauto (Arg) (Roy). Spellbinder (Tale of the Cat) and Saturday’s Hollywood Turf
Cup S. (G1) hero Boboman (Kingmambo) were scratched.
Saint Stephen earned his first graded tally in here, upping his mark to
23-7-4-3 with $300,464 in earnings. The bay was victorious in the April 29 Henry S. Clark S. in his last
effort, and also owns a placing in the 2003 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame H.
(G2).
The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State by Aaron and Marie Jones, and
produced from the stakes-winning Mari’s Book mare Goulash. Saint Stephen is a
full brother to two-time champion Ashado, a winner of seven Grade 1 races and
$3,931,440, which makes her the second winningest distaff runner of all time, as well
as Sunriver, winner of the Peter Pan S. (G2) who placed in the Belmont S. (G1)
and Florida Derby (G1).
Goulash is also responsible for the unraced two-year-old colt Turbulent Storm
(Storm Creek), an unnamed yearling colt by Unbridled’s Song and an unnamed
weanling filly by Forestry. Saint Stephen brought $400,000 as a 2001
Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling.