Breaking on top from the rail, Borel guided the Friends Lake colt to the front, briefly relinquished the lead around the turn, then pulled clear of his rivals in the stretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths in the six-furlong event for 2-year-olds on the fast main track. Trained by Bernard Flint, Screen Your Friend crossed the wire in 1:10.84.
Lyin’ Heart made a strong late bid after coming from off the pace under Corey Lanerie to get second, 4 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Segal. Both colts are trained by Steve Asmussen.
A Kentucky homebred racing for William Carl, Screen Your Friend was sent off as the third longest shot on the board in the field of seven despite breaking his maiden last out. The chestnut colt did it June 4 at Churchill Downs going 5 1/2 lengths in maiden special weight competition, also under Borel. He needed three tries to record that first victory.
In the Bashford Manor, Screen Your Friend broke sharply and raced to the front. His opening quarter mile in :21.64 was brisk as Silver Bayer, General Quarters, and Segal chased him down the backstretch. Under the handling of William Troilo, General Quarters came up to challenge Screen Your Friend around the turn, and those two were all alone as they entered the straightaway. But like he has done so many times before, Borel found more along the rail and drew clear.
Borel was four wins shy of the milestone entering the July 5 card, but secured wins in the first, fourth, and seventh races to get within one entering the Bashford Manor. He became the 34th North American rider to record 4,500 wins.
“It feels so good! This is all I’ve wanted to do my whole life," Borel said. "I knew sooner or later we’d get to this number; it was just a matter of time. My daddy always told me that if that’s what you want, you’ve got to go get it. And that’s what I wanted. I’ve had a good career and I got lucky and won the (Kentucky) Derby – that was the icing on the cake. Now I’m just enjoying myself.
“It was good for Mr. Bernie (Flint) and the owners. This colt, he’s all right. He’s starting to mature and he’ll be a very nice horse. I do know one thing: he’ll sprint. He’s quick, very quick.”
The winner paid $38, $13, and $4.80. The exacta (1-7) was worth $196.40, while the trifecta (1-7-5) returned $652.20.
Screen Your Friend is out of the Rare Performer mare Screen Prospect.
(Chart, Equibase)