The path of purity who has a scratch from the May 7 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) has opened the door to those who also qualify Rich Strike to race and score uncomfortably, received consolation on May 21 by winning $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico racetrack.
The 1/16-mile Sir Barton, named for the first Triple Crown winner in 1919 and sponsored by Brandon and Diannah Perry for the Benefit The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, was provided but was only a fraction of the amount. Derby’s $3 million money, and the competition is easier to understand. None of the eight competitors entered the race as a stake winner, with only The path of purity and Mr. Jefferson have safe current shares.
With Sir Barton’s completion, Aaron Sones’ Ethereal Path now joins the ranks of the stake winners, and he looks like a promising man at that. He crossed the field on Saturday with a second round rally from Saturday and continued with the energy to pull away 4 3/4 length under Luis Saez. He is timed 1:42.20 for the distance, returning $5 to win as a favorite.
“He ran pretty well,” Saez said. “The pace is perfect for him. That’s the way he likes to run — break through and make a move. He’s got a really strong finish.”
B Dawk second run, 2 1/4 length front Mr. Jefferson in part three. Ruggs is half the length back in fourth place.
Pacesetting Good skating who led a tense field through splits: 23.70, :47.26 and 1: 10.92, weakening to fifth.
The race was delayed by more than five minutes when a woman was thrown to the ground in the paddock. She left the training ground on a stretcher. According to Pimlico’s announcement, the injured woman was an employee Doug O’Neill and was taken to Sinai Hospital for treatment due to a possible concussion.
Ethereal Road, coach D. Wayne Lukas initially said he suffered a scratch from the Derby after Quality Sugar Colt didn’t have his usual energy in the days leading up to the Derby, which turned out to be one of his best performances on Saturday, seemingly equal, if not better, than with his runner-up in Rebel Stakes (G3) this winter at Oaklawn Park or a girl with four lengths wins there starting earlier.
Ethereal Road (far left) gathers wide to take Sir Barton’s Shares
“It was what we expected. It was his style. It was a perfect ride like the image of Luis,” Lukas said. “We should probably have let him stay at Derby, but that’s hindsight. He’s had a good trip. Small parts are realistic. We can certainly build on this.”
Sales of $90,000 following the September 2020 Yearling Sale in Keeneland from Lane’s End shipment are now 2-1-1 in eight starts with earnings of $354,545.
Bred in Kentucky by the late Paul Pompa, Ethereal Road was the winner of the second bet from five ponies produced by the ranker. War front mare Lasting another version Turn aside (American pharoah ), the winner of the Quick Call (G3T) and the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship, both in 2020. Two of the dam’s three unmarked ponies include one Connect A 2-year-old foal and a male are desiring the same stallion.
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