Michael Dubb, Sanford Goldfarb and Cast of Characters’ BILL PLACE (Master
Bill) passed leader Hobbitontherocks (Lion Hearted) in late stretch and held on
for a neck win in the $150,000
Bay Shore S. (G3) at Aqueduct on Saturday.
Piloted by Cornelio Velasquez, the gelded bay rated in last following the
opening half-mile but capitalized on a quick tempo up front, rallying late to
stop the timer in 1:22 4/5 for the seven furlongs. The Anthony Dutrow trainee
was sent off as the 5-2 second choice and rewarded backers with mutuels of
$7.50, $3.80 and $2.20.
Hobbitontherocks moved smartly while four wide turning for home and just
missed in the latter stages. The 13-1 shot was worth $9.90 and $3.70 while
completing the $57.50 exacta. Les Grands Trois (Officer) encountered a horrific
trip but still did well to finish a clear third, 2 1/4 lengths back. The 3-5
favorite hit the gate at the start, dropped back after being bumped out of the
gate, encountered traffic while advancing along the inside and tired late,
paying $2.10 and capping the $105 trifecta (5-4-1) in the process. Pass the Punch (Two
Punch) was next and trailed by Indian Camp (Forest Camp) and Wollaston Bay (Sea
of Secrets), while In the Woods (Forest Wildcat) was withdrawn.
Bill Place upped his career mark to 7-4-3-0, with earnings that now stand at
$181,042. The three-year-old captured the Jimmy Winkfield S. two prior, with a
runner-up effort in the Fred “Cappy” Capossela S. last out.
The winner was bred in the Sunshine State by John Scott, and was produced
from Magical Place (Out of Place). Bill Place has a pair of half-brothers, a
two-year-old colt named Graeme Place (Graeme Hall) and a yearling colt named
Sword Place (Awesome Sword).