Laurel, MD (SportsNetwork.com) – Bridget’s Big Luvy, ridden by Angel Cruz,
once again was found liking an off-track as the colt set the entire pace to
win Saturday’s $100,000 Private Terms Stakes at Laurel Park.
Trained by Jeremiah Englehart for Tom O’Grady, Bridget’s Big Luvy broke from
the outside post in the six-horse field of 3-year-olds and went right to the
lead in the 1 1/8-mile Private Terms over a muddy Laurel Park surface.
Bridget’s Big Luvy, in just his fifth career start, glided over the muddy
track on the front end. The colt, sent off at 6-1, continued with very little
challenge down the stretch and posted a 2 1/2-length victory over 2-1 second
choice Bodhisattva.
“When we got to the front,” said Cruz, “we got there so easy. He was really
relaxed all the way, and coming out of the last turn he just kept going. I
looked back and said, ‘Oh, my gosh. ‘ He galloped out really well. I think
that he can go a longer distance. When I got to the stretch I kept waiting and
waiting, and kept going and going.”
Net Gain, the 13-10 favorite, finished third followed by Slick William, Combat
Diver and Now We Are Free.
The time for the Private Terms was 1:51.92.
Bridget’s Big Luvy nearly doubled his earnings with the $60,000 he pocketed
for winning the Private Terms. The colt registered his second win in five
starts and has banked $125,605.
In three starts as a 2-year-old, Bridget’s Big Luvy was fourth at Saratoga and
fifth at Belmont Park followed by his maiden win on Oct. 24 at Belmont. In his
only prior 2015 start the colt finished a distant fifth in Gulfstream Park’s
Hutcheson Stakes on Jan. 24.
“I always thought he was a pretty nice horse,” Englehart said. “The first two
times in New York he ran against some pretty nice horses. We always thought he
would stretch out. He was never comfortable in Florida handling the heat. We
worked him in blinkers in his last two breezes. Even though we worked him we
weren’t sure we were going to run him with them. We didn’t want him to be too
keen early. But Angel gave him a super ride.”
Bridget’s Big Luvy returned $15.20, $4.80 and $3.60. Bodhisattva paid $3.80
and $2.40, Net Gain paid $2.10 to show.
