BOCHOMBO SPEEDS TO 1 ¼ LENGTH WIN IN $69,000 SANTA ANITA ALLOWANCE FEATURE AS HE HOLDS OFF FAVORED SMUGGLER’S RUN LATE

ARCADIA, Calif. (March 18, 2022)–Idle since June 20 of last year, trainer Ruben Alvarado’s Bochombo outfooted fellow longshot Highland Ghost early and never relinquished command in his first race on turf, taking Friday’s $69,000 Santa Anita allowance feature by 1 ¼ lengths.  Ridden by Juan Hernandez, the 3-year-old colt by Street Boss got six furlongs out of the turf chute in 1:09.40.

With a one length advantage over Highland Ghost a quarter mile from home, heavily favored Smuggler’s Run took up the chase at the top of the lane, but Bochombo was more than equal to the task and proved best at 12-1 in a field of eight sophomores.

“I talked to Ruben this morning and he told me the  horse was doing really good at San Luis Rey Downs,” said Hernandez, who was aboard for the first time today.  “He told me he’d be sharp and he was.  He told me there were a couple other speed horses in the race and to just play the break.

“He said, ‘If he’s in front, just let him go’ and that’s what we did.  He was really comfortable on the lead and I just let him roll.”

A maiden winner going 4 ½ furlongs in his second start here on May 23 and second in a $100,000 Futurity going five furlongs on June 20, 2021, Bochombo paid $26.20, $9.00 and $6.40.

Sold privately following his last start to owner Gary Barber and making his first start for Alvarado today, Bochombo is now 4-2-2-0 and with the winner’s share of $41,400, he increased his earnings to $110,200.

Ridden by Flavien Prat and trained by Richard Baltas, Smuggler’s Run, a California-bred gelding who broke from the rail, came off a solid win over the course versus statebreds Feb. 11 and paid $2.80 and $2.40 while off as the 4-5 favorite.

Speedy Highland Ghost, who shipped south from his Golden Gate Fields headquarters for trainer O.J. Jauregui, finished 1 ¼ lengths behind Smuggler’s Run.  Off at 15-1, he paid $5.40 to show while holding off Doitforandrew by a nose.

Fractions on the race were 22.62, 45.50 and 57.41.

Racing resumes with first post time for a nine-race card on Saturday at 1 p.m. with admission gates opening at 11 a.m.