Song on the Radio is music to the advertising director’s ears

Song on the Radio is as ‘Pleasant Acres’ as a thoroughbred can get.

He’s by former Pleasant Acres stallion Long On Value; was bred by Joe and Helen Barbazon; is owned by the farm’s advertising director, Tandra Downs; and competes in the colors of her Shark Pit Racing. And Song on the Radio has come out running in the expert care of trainer Ron Spatz.

The 4-year-old colt finished a ho-hum fourth in his debut at Gulfstream Park in November, appearing as though he didn’t yet comprehend what he was doing out on the racetrack. But in his next two starts he finished second (by a half length), then third, and yesterday he broke his maiden in a game effort as the 6/5 favorite in a $50,000 maiden optional claimer at a flat mile on the grass.

With veteran Joe Bravo aboard for the second time, Song on the Radio stalked the leader from the three path early down the backstretch, went up after a quarter and took over the lead without much urging, opened up two lengths on the turn, then out-nosed 2-1 second choice Flat Top Box at the wire in a photo. He was clocked in an excellent 1:34.34.

The victory was worth $30,000 and raised the colt’s 4-race earnings to a healthy $47,650.