Bayerd battled to a game victory in the $250,000 Springboard Mile S. to give the 2-year-old Speightstown colt his second stakes victory in just five lifetime starts (VIDEO).
With 16 stakes winners amassing 21 added-money victories in 2014, Speightstown is once again in the top 10 on the General Sire list with $8.4 million in progeny earnings.
Bayerd, who won the Kip Deville S. in September at Remington Park, returned to the scene for the Springboard. Bayerd got away cleanly, but had to chase down a loose on the lead Supermason while engaged in his own duel for second with High Noon Rider.
That pair made it a three-way battle at the top of the lane until Bayerd began to pull clear in the final furlong, only to have to hold off the fast-closing Shotgun Kowboy to win by a head in 1:37.26 over the sloppy going.
“(Bayerd) trained really nice,” trainer Steve Asmussen said afterward. “He and Shotgun Kowboy are both good horses. Ramon gave him a really good trip today. We’re really proud of his race. Hopefully, there’s several more in his future.”
Bayerd is now 3-1-1 in five starts, earning $282,100 for his owner Clark Brewster. Bayerd is the second foal out of the Cherokee Run mare Cherokee Jewel, a two-time stakes winner who hails from the same family as Spinaway S. (G1) winner Family Enterprize.
