Gulfstream: Comedy Town Stays Perfect on Dirt in Benny the Bull

By David Joseph —-
Lauren King Photo
Comedy Town Stays Perfect on Dirt in Benny the Bull

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Following 24 starts on turf or Tapeta to begin his career with average results, Comedy Town scored his third-straight victory on dirt while winning Saturday’s $100,000 Benny the Bull at Gulfstream Park.

The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained 6-year gelding made a four-wide sweep to the lead on the turn into the homestretch under Drayden Van Dyke before getting the better of a stretch battle with a stubborn Loco Abarrio and jockey Edwin Gonzalez. The son of Speightstown, who was favored at 3-5, scored by 1 ¾ lengths after running seven furlongs over a sealed muddy track in 1:22.73.

“He showed good speed. I was in a good spot. I was four-wide the whole way, but on the dirt it’s all about momentum for me,” Van Dyke said. “If I had the chance to tuck in, I would have, but he was taking me so nice, I didn’t want to bother him. I felt like a had a lot of horse. Edwin’s horse, Loco Abarrio, he challenged me pretty good at the top of the lane. Edwin was trying to stick with me, and I was trying to get away from him. When I got after him left-handed he kicked on. He’s 3-for-3 on the dirt – that’s impressive.”

Comedy Town was claimed for $25,000 by Joseph and Ten Twenty Racing March 15 after finishing a close second on Tapeta. He ran once more on Tapeta before Joseph decided to make a change of surfaces. Comedy Town went on to register a front-running two-length victory over a sloppy track in a June 8 optional claiming allowance at six furlongs. He came right back to earn a 100 Beyer Speed Figure in the July 6 Smile Sprint, in which he rallied from mid-pack to win by 1 ¼ lengths after running six furlongs in 1:10.

Loco Abarrio held second, a length ahead of early pacesetter Vivir Con Alegria.

Sunday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $125,000

The 10-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool is expected to grow to an estimated $125,000 Sunday at Gulfstream Park. The popular multi-race wager went unsolved Saturday for the third racing day following an Aug. 18 mandatory payout.

The Rainbow 6 sequence will span Races 4-9.

The Rainbow 6 jackpot pool is only paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day’s pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners, while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.

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The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information, please email david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.