February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By John Manley
There’s nothing Mike Ryan likes better than putting other people in the winner’s circle. After all, selling horses which go on to win stakes races is the lifeblood of a successful bloodstock agent. But every now and again, the Irish native keeps a piece of one for himself.
Texas Glitter is one such horse and it was Ryan who shared in the $45,000 winner’s spoils with partner D. Swartz following the colt’s victory in the Spectacular Bid Stakes on opening day at Gulfstream.
Texas Glitter, a three-year-old son of Glitterman, romped by five lengths at Gulfstream; his price of $4.20. John Velazquez was along for the cruise.
Since there are few things more valuable in the winter months than a precocious young colt, Ryan’s cellphone is likely to be spending much time out of its holster as friends he’s not heard from in some time call to wish him a happy new year, inquire about his health and ask, "Oh, by the way, how much would it take for you to part with Texas Glitter?" You can be sure that Ryan has a figure at the ready, one that might very well require two commas to separate the digits.
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Niall O’Callaghan doesn’t have to worry about getting Baytown to any Derby this year, because the gelding is two years past his eligibility for such races. But the five-year-old son of Texas City provided ample reason for the Corkman to prolong any New Year’s revelries he might have interrupted in order to saddle his charge for the $45,500 Col. E.R. Bradley Handicap at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.
Baytown hadn’t much to beat in this 1-1/16 miles heat. After the clouds unleashed a torrent that rendered the track sloppy, only two rivals were willing to leave the gate with Baytown. And they made a horse race of it, too.
Baytown had a half-length on Western Trader at the wire, paying $4.20 on win tickets. Curt Bourque rode Baytown, which is owned by Veronica Chesterton and Jamie Manion.
The gelding has now won eight times in 15 career starts.
Irish breeders made their mark early in 1999 with a 1-2 finish in the $108,500 Monrovia Stakes, a Grade III, at Santa Anita. Desert Lady led Sweet Mazarine to the wire by a length, touching off a $192.80 exacta. The mutual price on the winner was $10.60.
The winner, a four-year-old daughter of Danehill, is owned by The Thoroughbred Corporation and is trained by Wallace Dollase.
Theo Waddington bred the winner. Corey Nakatani rode.