Churchill Downs witnessed an impressive performance as Pin Oak Stud’s Incredibolt rallied from last place to capture Sunday’s GIII Street Sense Stakes, highlighting opening day of the track’s 136th Fall Meet.
The Bolt d’Oro colt surged past 7-5 favorite Universe in deep stretch to secure a 1 3/4-length victory. Very Connected finished third, while early pacesetter Ganaas faded to fifth after setting modest fractions of :24.29 and :48.83.
Breaking from the outside post, Incredibolt remained unhurried early before steadily advancing around the final turn. The Kentucky-bred colt made his move four-wide in the stretch, drawing even with Universe a sixteenth from home before powering past his rival.
“He’s really, really talented,” said winning jockey Jaime Torres. “Earlier before his first start I told my agent he could be the next [Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner] Sovereignty. Even though he didn’t win his first start, he’s shown a lot of talent since.”
The victory earned Incredibolt 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, which determines the preference list for the 20-horse field in the 152nd GI Kentucky Derby on May 2.
Incredibolt is trained by Riley Mott, son of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who conditions last year’s Street Sense winner Sovereignty.
“It’s his second time winning here at Churchill and we’re just delighted to have 10 points for the Kentucky Derby,” said Michael Hardy, Director of Farm Operations for Pin Oak Stud. “Hopefully, he can follow the path Sovereignty did.”
After finishing fourth in his debut sprinting six furlongs at Ellis Park on August 22, Incredibolt broke his maiden going a mile at Churchill Downs on September 28.
Bred by Deann Baer and Greg Baer DVM, Incredibolt is out of the Awesome Again mare Sapphire Spitfire. The colt, a half-brother to multiple graded stakes-placed Fire On Time, sold for $75,000 at last year’s Keeneland September Sale.
With this victory, Incredibolt becomes the ninth graded/group winner for Spendthrift Farm sire Bolt d’Oro.
The final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:44.67 on a fast track.
