O Dionysus’ victory in Saturday’s $75,000 Christopher Elser Memorial S. at Parx moved Bodemeister into the top five on the 2016 First-Crop Sire list.
The bay 2-year-old colt is the second stakes winner for his sire, joining Astoria S. winner Bode’s Dream.
A sharp maiden winner in late August at Laurel Park, O Dionysus dropped to the back of the field early in the Elser, but quickly gained momentum after three furlongs and surged to the front, ultimately winning by 2 1/4-lengths in 1:18.19 for the 6 1/2-furlongs (VIDEO).
O Dionysus is now 2-1-1 in four starts and has earned $85,272 for Marathon Farms. The winner was bred in Maryland by Dark Hollow Farm and is a half-brother to three-time stakes winner Joy and hails from the same family as champion sprinter Safely Kept and Grade 2 winner Partner’s Hero.
