Shanghai Bobby cruised to a one-length victory in the $85,000 Track Barron S. [VIDEO] for 2-year-olds June 27 at Belmont Park, continuing the hot streak for his sire Harlan’s Holiday, becoming the third stakes horse in five days for the WinStar stallion.
Harlan’s Holiday is the fourth-leading juvenile sire of 2012, with an excellent record of five winners from nine starters to date. Shanghai Bobby, who is the leading earner of the group, is the first black-type winner in the group.
Shanghai Bobby went off the 1-2 favorite in the Track Barron, getting plenty of support after a sharp-looking, four-length maiden score in his racing debut April 19 at Aqueduct. The Starlight Racing color-bearer lived up to his low odds once again in this 5 1/2-furlong dash, dueling through a quarter-mile in :21.93, shaking off one foe coming into the stretch, the repelling a late run by Handsome Jack to hit the wire in 1:02.87 on the fast main track. The time was less than 3/5ths of a second off the track record.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Shanghai Bobby netted $51,000 the win and now has earned $87,000 in his two wins. Bred in Kentucky by Stonehaven Steadings, the dark bay/brown juvenile was purchased by his owner for $105,000 at the Keeneland 2011 September yearling sale.
Shanghai Bobby is the first foal out of Steelin’, winner of Bangles and Beads S. at four. She is out of Steel Band, a full sister to City Band, winner of the Grade 1 Oak Leaf S. and Grade 3 Golden Rod S. as a juvenile.
