DEFENDING CHAMP BANGO REPEATS IN $200,000 ARISTIDES AT 10-1

Jun 04, 2022

Tamaroak Partners’ Bango split rivals in deep stretch to win Saturday’s 34^th running of the $200,000 Aristides (Listed) at Churchill Downs for the second year in a row, this time by 2 ½ lengths over Necker Island.

Trained by Greg Foley and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Bango completed the six-furlong Aristides in 1:08.54.

“He loves this track and is a super nice horse,” Gaffalione said. “We got away a bit slow but sat in a good position off the pace. He kept finding more with every stride.”

Long Range Toddy set a swift early quarter-mile fraction in :21.97 with Top Gunner in close pursuit as Necker Island and Bango rated in fourth and fifth, respectively. Around the turn, Top Gunner poked his head in front after a half-mile in :44.74 and briefly kicked clear. As Top Gunner wearily drifted out in the stretch, the closing Bango came through the opening and was able to easily prevail over Necker Island, who rallied along to rail to win a three-way photo for the place with Top Gunner and Long Range Toddy.

Bango is the third horse to win the Aristides in successive years, joining Bet On Sunshine (2000-01) and Alsvid (2015-16).

Despite winning the race a year ago along with two other stakes events, Bango was the 10-1 sixth betting choice in the eight-horse Aristides and paid $22.20, $11 and $5.60. Necker Island, under Mitchell Murrill, paid $6.20 and $3.80. Top Gunner with Rey Gutierrez in the irons returned $3.20.

Long Range Toddy, Miles Ahead, 2-1 favorite Bob’s Edge who never got involved, Jalen Journey and Pyron completed the running order.

Bango, who banked $120,245, improved his record to 9-1-2 with purse earnings of $675,545 in 23 starts. He’s 7-1-2 in 13 starts at Churchill Downs.

In his first start of 2022, Bango finished fourth and was beaten 9 ¾ lengths in the St Matthews Overnight Stakes on May 4.

“What a nice horse,” said Foley, who also won the 2004 Aristides (GIII) with Champali. “He loves this track and that’s home for us. He needed that last race off the layoff and I guess they (bettors) forgot how much he loves it here. He’s 7-for-13 now. That speaks for itself. He got off a bit slow from the rail today and he’s shown he can be a multi-dimensional horse. Tyler gave him a great ride and was able to get him to relax.”

Bango is a 5-year-old son of Congrats out of the Smart Strike mare Josaka. He was bred in Kentucky by his owners Fred and Debbie Schwartz.

The Aristides is named in honor of the inaugural Kentucky Derby winner of 1875.

The next sprint for older horses at Churchill Downs is the $160,000 Kelly’s Landing Overnight Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs on Saturday, July 2.

“Fred and Debbie Schwartz have a really nice horse and we’ll try to run him as much as we can this year at Churchill,” Foley said.