Long wait was worth it for owner and trainer of Ballyhoo Prince

Add owner Lisa Beige and trainer Patrick Nuesch to the long list of those who adhere to the nearly 200-year-old adage, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

Beige and Nuesch have been trying to win a race with New York-bred Ballyhoo Prince for five years, and the 6-year-old gelding finally made the grade yesterday in the seventh race at Colonial Downs, a $40,000 maiden claimer at one mile over the inner turf course.

Jevian Toledo was aboard the son of Handsome Mike, who paid $7.60, winning by 2 1/2 lengths over favored Uncle Berley, clocked in 1:38.08. Ballyhoo Prince raised his record to 1-6-5 in 22 tries and his earnings to $99,452, with $34,620 coming in just three starts this year following a vacation of 7 1/2 months.