GLEAM OF HOPE SPARKLES IN $200,000 BUD SELECT CRADLE STAKES AT RIVER DOWNS
Gleam of Hope is a perfect 2 for 2 at River Downs and his jockey Corey Lanerie is almost perfect. Gleam of Hope won the $200,000 Bud Select Cradle Stakes on Monday after winning the prep for that race on August 15. Corey Lanerie added his third Cradle win to his resume after winning the $100,000 Coca-Cola Bassinet on Saturday. Lanerie has now won with four of his five career stakes mounts at River Downs.
"This horse has always wanted to run a route of ground," said winning trainer Tony Reinstedler. "You can turn him off or on, turf or dirt, we were very confident going in." Prior to the seventh race the decision was made to take the Bud Select Cradle off of the turf and transferred to the main track that was listed as muddy at the time, it was upgraded to good just prior to the Cradle. "I know how important it is to the track and horsemen alike, but I had to do what was right for the safety of everyone involved," said second generation Turf Course Superintendent Tim Wycoff. "The heavy rains last night left pooling at the inside of both turns. It was not a decision I came to lightly."
Gleam of Hope was installed as the second favorite behind European Stakes winner Strike the Tiger. Lanerie reserved his best for last on the 2-year-old colt. "We wanted to come from off the pace and have a nice trip," said the 38-year-old rider from Louisville. "I was thinking of going around the leaders and then the rail opened up and we went right on through."
Owned by Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Asbury, Gleam of Hope traveled the 1 1/16 miles over the "good" main track in 1:46.80, winning by 2 ¼ lengths. The son of City Zip paid $6.60, $3.80 and $3.60. Guys Reward, who supplemented to the Cradle for $12,000 finished second and returned $12.60 and 11.80, while Harrods Creek rallied for a show payoff of $11.60.