Bucchero gets first winner in Texas

It was just a matter of time. After Honey Red and Yvonne’s Miss both finished second in their career debuts, it appeared likely that Bucchero’s first winner couldn’t be far behind. And it happened yesterday at Lone Star Park.

Toddchero, a $77,000 OBS April 2-year-old bred by GDS Stable and purchased by Mark Norman, went wire-to-wire in his first try with Lane Luzzi in the irons, and the only surprise may have been his price. He had sped three furlongs in a bullet :34.84 breezing from the gate, best of 31 runners at Lone Star on May 22, so his $7.40 mutuel seems to be quite generous.

Bucchero’s milestone winner passed the furlong markers in :22.56 and :45.65 en route to a 3 1/2-length victory over 2-1 favorite BWP Spirit, with the third-place finisher another 16 lengths behind. Toddchero was clocked in :58.62 for the five furlongs and collected a check for $19,740, raising Bucchero’s early progeny earnings to $35,140.