Bucchero 2-year-olds score up north; he has 36 winners

With the victory of Hey Boots in his career debut at Charles Town yesterday, Bucchero has hit the 50 percent mark for 2023; 72 starters, 36 winners.

The 2-year-old gelding bred by Lance Colwell and Janine M. Clark went wire-to-wire under Axel Concepcion in a $26,500 maiden special at 4 1/2 furlongs, winning by 2 1/2 lengths in an excellent :52.42. The $12,000 Timonium 2-year-old had been working well for his first try and paid $5.60, earning a check for $15,819.

Elsewhere, Fairhopecurly was cross-entered in races at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Kentucky Downs, and owner/breeder Scott Herbertson and his crew chose the former. The decision turned out to be the right one, and the 2-year-old Bucchero filly made it 2-for-2 with a half-length score over 6/5 favorite Riparound in a $36,000 allowance test.

Fairhopecurly had captured her debut at Belterra Park by 1 3/4 lengths and has now earned $31,320. She paid $8.60 for this one after getting five furlongs on the grass in :57.71 under Emmanuel Esquivel, and collecting $21,600.