With a robust late transfer to shut out the $400,000 Sycamore Stakes (G2T), Desvio delivered a shocking victory within the 1 1/2-mile turf take a look at whereas offering a milestone win for a lot of of his connections Oct. 10 at Keeneland.
Entered off a fast-closing second within the Colonial Cup Stakes Sept. 6 at Colonial Downs, Desvio bounced out of that win in prime type to arrange Friday’s stirring victory—his first on the graded stakes stage.
Whereas reaching a brand new class stage for himself, the 4-year-old Yoshida gelding carried his connections to new heights as homeowners Stonelea Stables and Bonnie Rye Steady—the mom and son group of Cornelia “Nina” Bonnie and Robert Bonnie—landed their first-ever victory collectively at Keeneland. Coach Madison Meyers made her first-ever begin at Keeneland a successful one to safe her first graded stakes win.
The Bonnies have campaigned horses for years, together with some profitable runners on the steeplechase aspect. The late Ned Bonnie, an equine legal professional and fixture in Kentucky racing for many years—serving on the racing fee for a few years—is the late husband of Nina and father of Robert.
“It is our first win right here at Keeneland and it is particular,” Robert Bonnie stated, noting that he had simply talked together with his mom by cellphone after the victory. “Dad is trying down on us, and Mother was feeling a bit sick, so she could not make it, however she’s fairly completely satisfied.Join BloodHorse Each day
“She’s delighted. I hadn’t gained a race right here, and I am undecided if she had.”
Picture: Coady Media/Barbara BarclayDesvio and John Velazquez after their Sycamore Stakes win at Keeneland
Coach Meyers, now primarily based within the Mid-Atlantic with stalls at Middleburg Coaching Heart in Virginia and Laurel Park in Maryland, initially is from Lexington.
“Truthfully, since I used to be a bit child, all I wished was to have a horse ok to carry down right here,” Meyers stated. “So it is fairly particular.”
She waited for simply the precise runner and proper time to make her Keeneland debut.
“He is a horse that takes a very very long time to get going. Clearly, the mile-and-a-half fits him, however these spots are actually onerous to search out—they’re few and much between,” Meyers stated. “I had a sense that this course would swimsuit him effectively, as a result of there’s a bit little bit of give in it. We had that substantial rainfall the opposite day and Colonial could be a little bit fast.
“He is obtained all Kentucky connections, so we went forward and simply took a swing.”
Desvio rated in second-last early within the discipline of 10 whereas Utah Seaside , in a little bit of a shock, led via a half-mile in :50.94 and mile in 1:39.51. Utah Seaside, who hadn’t raced nearer than sixth early in his previous seven begins, took his benefit into the stretch however could not maintain off the late runners. Secure Journey House briefly took the lead earlier than Desvio edged previous to a half-length victory, paying $70.90 to win.
The end result flipped the Colonial Cup end result as Secure Journey House gained that take a look at. The son of Extra Than Prepared completed second Friday to earn his first graded stakes-placing whereas Utah Seaside held third. Favored (9-5) Ohana Honor tracked from second for many of the race and light to fourth.
Robert Bonnie stated his household has loved having horses with Meyers and famous they’ve some promising younger runners along with her.
“It is truly been enjoyable to assist Madison, who’s a younger, up-and-coming coach,” Robert Bonnie stated. “She’s an amazing horsewoman.”
Picture: Coady Media/Kurtis CoadyTrainer Madison Meyers (third from proper) accepts a mint julep cup with John Velazquez and proprietor Robert Bonnie
All concerned credited the horse’s one reference to loads of graded stakes success, John Velazquez, who landed his fourth graded stakes win of the autumn meet.
“You understand what else helped us immediately? Johnny V,” Robert Bonnie stated of the Corridor of Fame jockey who had beforehand been aboard Desvio in a begin in final yr’s Hill Prince Stakes (G3T) at Aqueduct.
Desvio most just lately bought at public sale for $70,000 on the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale, the place he was bought by Black Cloud Steady from the consignment of Brookdale Gross sales, agent.
Bred in Kentucky by Eliza St. George and Lee Mauberret, Desvio is out of the unraced Uncle Mo mare Fitzrovia, who’s a daughter of grade 1 winner Marylebone. Fitzrovia boasts 4 winners from as many starters.
