Oxbow Racing’s Steve’s Double made a double of his own, a two-race winning streak that also brought his first black-type win when he came from off the pace to win the $200,000 Perryville (gr. III) (VIDEO) at Keeneland Oct. 13.
Under Jamie Theriot, the Ronny Werner trainee settled behind the frontrunning Shrewd Operator and Chihulykee, who pressed through early fractions of :22.88 and :45.38. Steve's Double raced four or five wide, and although Shrewd Operator was still in front as the field turned for home, the gelding took the lead at the sixteenth pole, then was all out to hold off a late run from Les Grands Trois. Steve's Double held on by a half-length, taking the seven-furlong race in a final time of 1:25.36
“We’ve been very pleased with him,” Werner said of the winner. “He just keeps going forward. He earned it today, believe me. This was a nice group of colts, and we were pleased with the effort.”
A 3-year-old son of Stephen Got Even bred in Maryland by Acorn Hill Farm, Steve's Double paid $26, $9, and $6.20 to win. Les Grands Trois returned $3 and $2.40 to place under Kent Desormeaux, while Shrewd Operator brought $3.80 under Robby Albarado.
Steve’s Double came off a 3 3/4-length allowance win at Saratoga Sept 3 and now owns a 3-1-1 record from seven career starts.
(Chart, Equibase)