BIG CITY MAN ROLLS TO VICTORY
Big City Man proved that his 10 ¾-length maiden victory on June 16 at Calder was no fluke when he followed that effort up with an impressive 4 1/2-length tally over Surrealdeal in the Criterium Stakes, a stakes event for two-year-olds run at six furlongs over a sloppy main track. Owned by Mr. T Stables, and ridden by Elvis Trujillo, Big City Man returned $9.00 to win as the third betting choice.
Big City Man sat three wide just off a brisk early pace set by Young Joe and Casino Gambler and made his move on the far turn, wresting command as he turned for home and drawing away thereafter in the stretch. The final time was 1:12.14. Big City Man is trained by Jose Pinchin.
Big City Man paid $9.00, $6.00 and $3.00. Surrealdeal, the longest shot in the race at 60-to-1, closed late for second and returned $38.80 and $4.60, while Honey Honey Honey, part of the favored entry with Casino Gambler, paid $2.20 to show. Big City Man is now two-for-three lifetime, with career earnings of $83,540.
Winning trainer’s quotes:
Jose Pinchin – “I picked him out at the yearling sales (OBS August for $45,000) and thought we were fortunate to get him at the price. Even on the farm and before he ran the first time, he acted like a good horse. He ran very well the first time (second place), better when he broke his maiden, and then today. He’s eligible for the (Florida) Stallion Stakes (series) and that’s where we’ll go from here ($100,000 Dr. Fager Division on August 11).”
Winning jockey’s quotes:
Elvis Trujillo – “He (Big City Man) had a good trip today. With the slop today, the trainer wanted him on the lead. I waited (sat on him) past the quarter pole and asked him for the last sixteenth. He’s a good horse. Now he has two wins and gets better with more experience. He handled the sloppy track fine.”