Uncle Boogie helps John Shear celebrate No. 100

If anybody will remember Uncle Boogie’s romp in a $36,000 starter optional claimer at Santa Anita yesterday, it will be John Shear. The sixth race was named in honor of the long-time paddock official, who was celebrating his 100th birthday.

Shear was in the winner’s circle for the presentation after the 3-year-old colt bred by Pinky Mendoza boosted his record to 2-2-0 in five starts and collected $21,600 as Ride On Curlin’s first winner of 2021.

Abel Cedillo was aboard the $38,000 OBS July 2-year-old who broke last in the six-horse field in the race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track. Cedillo swung Uncle Boogie four wide coming to the turn, and the colt inhaled the field in a matter of seconds, then proved to be much the best in the stretch, drawing off to score by nearly four lengths.

Uncle Boogie broke his maiden at Santa Anita in October by 6 1/4 lengths, then finished second in the Gr. III Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar a month later. For this impressive victory, he paid $4.80, increased his earnings to $63,250, and appears to have a highly promising career ahead of him.