Majestic Stride earns first stakes win in Underwood

Last updated: 11/29/13 12:40 PM

Majestic Stride confirmed
his status as an extremely promising sprinter
entering 2014

(Benoit Photo)

After a close fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Majestic Stride registered
his first stakes victory in Thursday’s Grade 3, $100,000
Vernon O.
Underwood, scoring easily by a 2 1/2-length margin on the Cushion Track at
Hollywood Park. Only four rivals lined up to face the Jeff Bonde-trained
gelding.

Owned by Edward Brown Jr., Alan Klein and Phillip Lebherz, Majestic Stride
returned from an 18 1/2-month layoff with a convincing score over optional
claiming foes at Hollywood in early September and rolled to an easy allowance
tally at Santa Anita a month later. Overlooked at 30-1 in the aforementioned
Sprint, he was caught in tight quarters turning for home and closed ground late
to be beaten only 1 1/4 lengths against a strong field.

The public bet him down 3-5 on Thanksgiving and Majestic Stride did not
disappoint, dueling with Anillo through opening splits of :21 4/5 and :44 1/5
before asserting himself in the lane. He drew off late to win clear, stepping
six furlongs in 1:08 4/5 with jockey Edwin Maldonado.

“I knew he was going to win today because he had a little trouble in his last
race, the Breeders’ Cup (Sprint),” Maldonado said. “He’s a nice horse.”

Color of Courage rallied from off the pace to be second, 1 1/4 lengths better
than Handsome Mike in third. Anillo and Chosen Miracle completed the order of
finish and Roman Threat was scratched.

Majestic Stride opened his racing career in January 2012 and after a second
on the Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields, he broke his maiden on the dirt at Oaklawn
Park. The bay son of Trippi made only one more appearance, finishing fifth in
the Grade 3 Southwest, before heading to the sidelines for a lengthy hiatus.

The four-year-old has now earned $243,600 from a 7-4-1-0 ledger.

Bred in Florida by Harold J. Plumley, Majestic Stride is out of the
stakes-placed Great Above mare Great Looking Miss. He was purchased for $50,000
as a 2010 OBS August yearling.

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