Well-traveled Ravalo, at 7-1, captured the Grade 3 Kennedy Road Stakes, taking Saturday’s $153,500 feature by a hard-fought head. For the Donald Barr-trained gelded son of Mutakddim, the six-furlong event was his second victory of the 2010 campaign, his first appearance at Woodbine and his first win since March 15.
Ravalo broke sharply from post three, but was immediately joined by champion and multiple stakes winner Fatal Bullet and Paso Doble, the trio battling through an opening quarter-mile in :22.26. Fatal Bullet was a half-length in front after a half-mile in :44.26, with Ravalo in fourth.
Jeffrey Sanchez, aboard Ravalo, kept the six-year-old well-positioned around the turn, with Signature Red, to the outside, and Fatal Bullet, along the inside, all locking horns for the stretch drive. At the wire, Ravalo, owned by Lindy Redding, secured his 15th lifetime win and inched closer to the $1-million mark in earnings. The final time was 1:09-flat on the Polytrack.
“I figured he’d be able to travel, but I didn’t think he’d be this great,” said Redding, of the Kentucky-bred who was making his 40th career start. “He laid back and then he came on just right.”
Bred by Heaven Trees, the bay had contested three consecutive races on the turf prior to the Kennedy Road, finishing second twice in two 5 ½-furlong races at Saratoga in August and September, before finishing fifth, just 1 ¾ lengths back of Silver Timber in the Grade 3 Woodford at Keeneland on October 9.
A model of consistency, Ravalo now has 11 stakes victories to his name, along with 32 top-three finishes.
Ravalo paid $16.20, $8.80 and $4, combining with Signature Red ($6.50, $3.60) for a $90.50 exactor. Fatal Bullet ($2.30) completed a $230.80 triactor. A $1 superfecta (Forgetthestorm) returned $445.45.
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