Badge of Silver, starting for the first time in 10 months, made a triumphant return Friday in the featured $34,000 optional claiming event at Fair Grounds.Ridden by regular rider Robby Albarado, Badge of Silver ($2.80) took command early, leading the field through a half-mile in a crisp :45.84. At the head of the lane, Captain Thunder moved up on the outside to challenge, but was soon repelled by the brilliant son of Silver Deputy, who cruised home under a hand ride to hit the wire with a 2 3/4-length advantage.Badge of Silver's final time of 1:08.88 marked the fastest six-furlong effort of the meet.Said Albarado, "He's an unbelievable horse."Badge of Silver won the first three starts of his career by a combined 26 lengths, including a 10-length romp in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. III) a year ago at Fair Grounds. He followed that up with a puzzling fifth-place effort as the favorite in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II), where it was discovered after the race that he had flipped his palate. A month later, Badge of Silver fractured a cannon bone in preparation for the Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland, denying him a Triple Crown bid and the remainder of his 3-year-campaign.His victory on Friday improved his career record to four wins in five starts and earnings of more than $182,000 for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Ronny Werner, giving the owner/trainer duo their second victory of the day."He broke sharp and bounced out there," said Werner. "He was a little antsy his first out, but he finished strong and galloped out nice. I was very, very pleased."Werner said that Badge of Silver would be considered for the $500,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) on Feb. 29.
(Chart, Equibase)