Red Bullet Victorious in Allowance Return

Stronach Stable's Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Red Bullet returned to the races Saturday with a 1 1/2-length win in an allowance race at Saratoga. Stakes-placed sprinter Valiant Halory finished second in the seven-furlong heat.

The race was the first for Red Bullet since he finished third – behind Albert the Great and More Than Ready – in the Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park last July. The 4-year-old son of Unbridled improved his career mark to five wins in seven starts. Under Jerry Bailey, the Joe Orseno trainee completed the distance in 1:21.99, .27 seconds slower than 3-year-old filly Victory Ride ran the distance in the Test Stakes (gr. I) one race earlier.

"This has been a great team effort in getting him ready," said Orseno. "From the people at the farm, to Jerry (Bailey), to myself. He was ready to run today. I thought it was a great effort and was happy that he settled behind horses so nicely. He changed leads kind of late, but I think he got tired. I don't think he'll have to run before the Woodward, but if he does, we'll find something."

For Bailey, the win marked his fourth victory on Saturday's Saratoga card.

"It was a good comeback," Bailey said. "He did it on his own. I was debating if I should let him sit behind horses or let him go out and ease out around them. He was eager to run. So, I let him take the overland route. He got a little tired. I showed him the whip and gave him just a touch with it, just enough what he needed." (Chart, Equibase)