Rapper S S wore down the 4-5 favorite Yonegwa in the final furlong to capture the $105,950 Riley Allison Futurity at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Dec. 30.
With Joe Martinez in the irons, Rapper S S, a 2-year-old son of Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Monarchos, chased the fleet Yonegwa though much of the 6 1/2-furlong test. The gray colt, carrying four fewer pounds, had more in reserve, however, and edged past his stubborn rival along the inside in deep stretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths.
The top two finishers pulled well clear of the field. Nearly nine lengths separated the runner-up from third place finisher Capetown Royal.
Rapper S S zipped to victory in an impressive 1:15.81 after Yonegwa blazed an opening half-mile of :44.24. He earned $63,570 for winning owner Lathrop Hoffman of Monrovia, Calif. The promising colt, coming off a five-length win in a Sunland allowance race Dec. 16, has three wins from five starts.
Winning trainer Henry Dominguez indicated that the Riley Allison would serve well as a prep for the $600,000 WinStar Derby to be run at Sunland Park on March 16. Dominguez also trained Capetown Royal, a $310,000 juvenile purchase. The son of Cape Town made his career debut in the Riley Allison.
Sez Who Thoroughbreds bred Rapper S S in Kentucky. The colt is out of What'salltheruckas, by Bold Ruckus.
Yonegwa, after leading into until mid-stretch, had to settle for second. The Kafwain colt was seeking his fourth consecutive stakes victory for trainer Bennie Woolley Jr.
Second choice Rapper S S carried 118 pounds to victory and paid $7.20, $3.40 and $3. Yonegwa returned $2.60 and $2.80, Capetown Royal was $4.80 to show.
Wild Posse, Pescadero, Golem and Trixie Bit rounded out the order of finish.
(Chart, Equibase)
Rapper S S wears down Yonegwa to take the Riley Allison Futurity at Sunland Park.
