Trippi, who carried topweight of 123 pounds, was bred in Florida by Harry Mangurian and purchased for $65,000 at the Keeneland April juvenile sale. He races for Dogwood Stable and is trained by Todd Pletcher. The 3-year-old colt is by End Sweep out of the Valid Appeal mare Jealous Appeal. (Chart, Equibase)
Jerry Bailey was on the verge of owning Belmont Park on Saturday. The jockey won his fourth straight race and second consecutive stakes when he guided Trippi to an easy win in the Riva Ridge Stakes (gr. II).Coming off his first loss, an 11th in the Kentucky Derby, Trippi was not favored in the Riva Ridge, that honor going to Bevo. But, Trippi crushed the field, drawing off to win as easy as they come, officially by nine lengths.Four horses broke for the lead in the seven-furlong race, but Trippi gained command as Bevo dropped back, but then came on again in the stretch. Trippi was all out to get second a nose in front of Sun Cat. Covering the distance in 1:23.68, Trippi paid $6.20, $2.90 and $2.30. Bevo was worth $2.50 and $2.10 and Sun Cat returned $2.60.
