Richie the Bull exploded in the Hawthorne stretch to take the $50,000 Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity S. by 9 ¼-lengths for the first stakes win for the 2-year-old son of Benny the Bull.
Richie the Bull sprang right to the front at the break of Saturday’s 1 1/16 mile contest, but soon relinquished the lead to Navy Seabee. Jockey E. T. Baird shifted Richie the Bull to the outside on the backstretch, and took over the top spot after about four furlongs.
Cashel Rock was the closest pursuer at that point, and was within a half-length at the top of the long Hawthorne stretch, but Richie the Bull asserted himself to win all by himself (VIDEO).
Richie the Bull, owned by his breeder Richard Ravin and Larry Rivelli, the latter also the colt’s trainer, is now three for four lifetime, with earnings of $95,665. The winner is out of the stakes-placed mare Richiesgirlgotgame, whose first foal won the 2014 running of the Jim Edgar.
Benny the Bull, who will stand the 2016 season at Bridlewood for $2,500 live foal, is ranked third on Florida’s Third-Crop Sire list with over $1 million in progeny earnings this year.
