Another pair of maiden winners; Bucchero approaching $1 million for 2023

Streaking Bucchero has added two more first-time winners to his ledger far from his home base to give him 25 from 52 starters in his sophomore season, and at the same time, set himself up for a million-dollar year.

At Penn National, Sunshine Harry, a 3-year-old gelding bred by Crimson Gate Stables and Ocala’s Bonnie Heath Farm, broke his maiden in his second try to become winner No. 24. With Anthony Salgado aboard, the Pennyslvania-bred gelding overcame a bumping incident leaving the gate, rushed into the lead and continued on to romp home by 5 1/2 lengths. He was clocked in :58.86 for the five furlongs, paid $23.80, and picked up a check for $10,608.

At Horseshoe Indianapolis, Designated, an 8-1 morning line proposition making her third start, came up a hot item on the tote board even though in her second try she finished third, but nearly 10 lengths behind the winner. With apprentice Hannah Leahey again in the irons, the 2-year-old Kentucky-bred filly hopped at the start of the five-furlong test on the grass, trailed the field by six lengths down the backstretch, swung wide on the turn, then ran down the leaders in deep stretch as announcer John Dooley bellowed, “Designated swooped by them all.”

Designated, a $37,000 Keeneland September RNA, was clocked in 1:01.06, paid $6 and earned a check for $16,800, which raised Bucchero’s progeny earnings for 2023 to $928,582.