Broadway Missile held off 4-5 favorite Perky Kitten for a nose win in the $75,000 El Joven Stakes on Saturday night at Retama Park near San Antonio. The race was one of two stakes for 2-year-olds on the card. In the $75,000 La Senorita, Sky’s Goldmaker was a one-length winner over Redgrass Cat.
The El Joven and La Senorita, which was restricted to fillies, both were run over a mile on turf. They are signature races for Retama Park.
Broadway Missile ($10.80) stalked the pace for much of the El Joven, racing in second as Margarita Bibb jumped out to the lead and set fractions of 23.74 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.51 for the half-mile, and 1:11.40 for six furlongs. Broadway Missile overtook the leader in the stretch and went on to cover the distance on firm turf in 1:36.12.
Luis Quinonez rode the winner for Agave Racing Stable (Mark Martinez) and trainer Michelle Lovell.
Broadway Missile was supplemented to the El Joven off a half-length win in a $30,000 maiden-claiming route on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 12. He is a gelding by Heatseeker and was bred in Kentucky by Patinack Farm.
Perky Kitten held second by a head over third-place finisher Rainbow Trip.
Sky’s Goldmaker ($10.80) stalked leaders Strike Twice and Great Queen through six furlongs in 1:13.20 before going on to win the La Senorita in 1:36.47. Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez was aboard the winner for trainer Terry Eoff, who owns the horse in partnership with Johnny B. Evans.
Sky’s Goldmaker won a maiden special weight at Retama Park in her career debut Oct. 4, then was second in an allowance prior to the La Senorita. She is a daughter of Sky Mesa and was bred in Kentucky by Monticule.
Strike Twice held third in the La Senorita, while the favored Thegirlinthatsong was fifth.
Retama Park: Broadway Missile by a nose in El Joven Stakes