Supah Blitz Wins at Sloppy Calder

Supah Blitz dominated the $50,000 Roman Brother Stakes at Calder Saturday, defeating The Name's Bond by 4 ¾ lengths in the 1 1/16-mile race, which was taken off the turf after late morning rains.

Those two were 14 ¾ lengths ahead of the rest of the field, which was led by King Cassia in third.

Supah Blitz, whose first start after a 13th place finish in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) was a winning one over the Calder turf on July 1, seems to have inherited his sire's versatility. The son of Mecke has demonstrated that he can win on the grass and on the main track, regardless of condition, as today's event was contested over a sloppy track. Ridden by Jesus Castanon for the first time this afternoon, Supah Blitz covered the distance in 1:43 3/5.

Castanon kept Supah Blitz just off the pace set by Native Genius and King Cassia, while The Name's Bond was playing catch-up after a poor break. Nearing the half-mile pole, The Name's Bond was making a huge run at the leaders, and with three-eighths of a mile to go, he had a head in front of Supah Blitz who making his move as well. It was those two coming down the stretch, but The Name's Bond could not sustain his bid and Supah Blitz drew off to win impressively.

Trained by Manny Tortora, Supah Blitz returned $3.60, 2.20 and 2.10.

(Chart, Equibase)