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Black Bear Island wins Dante Stakes - 05-17-09
May 17 - On Thursday at York Racecourse in England, horseracing fans were treated to some nail-biting action in the 150,000 pound ($226,000) Dante Stakes (Gr 2) for three-year-old thoroughbreds, a race that saw charges entered by top Irish trainer, Aidan O'Brien, finish in first and second respectively.
O'Brien's magnificent colt, Black Bear Island, ran a sterling race to ensure victory with jockey Colm O'Donoghue aboard, completing the 1 mile 2 furlong 88 yard race in a time of 2:11.64. Hot on his heels to snatch second place, was stablemate Freemantle, with champion Irish jockey Johnny Murtagh aboard.
A full brother to High Chaparral - winner of the coveted Epsom Derby in 2002 - Black Bear Island flew up the field from last place to grab and maintain the lead, gamely fighting off a formidable challenge by Freemantle (who had lead for most of the race), to cross the line a full head in front of his stable mate.
The results once again proved what most horseracing fans around the globe already know - that Aiden O'Brien is one of the best racehorse trainers in the world today. To makes the results of the Dante Stakes even more impressive, Black Bear Island and Freemantle went into the race at 12-1 and 13-2 respectively.
Said O'Donoghue after the race, 'There was plenty of pace through the race and Black Bear Island travelled well. He started to get going when I asked him in the final two furlongs and he picked up really well. Before the race, Aidan told me to get him to switch off and relax and to let him enjoy himself in the race.'
While thrilled at his win, O'Donoghue's victory was bittersweet when following the race, York Racecourse officials handed him a two-day ban for the excessive use of his whip and failing to give his mount (Black Bear Island) adequate time to respond. The jockey reportedly chose not to appeal the suspension.
After the Dante, Murtagh seemed content with Freemantle's second place, 'He ran a great race, he just got tired in the last 100 yards, but the ground was perfect for him.' The Dante Stakes was the Irishman's first ride on the colt. Interestingly, Murtagh rode Black Bear Island in the last start of his French campaign.
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| | 2009/11/20 11:35:15 AM |
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