Halo Homewrecker Dismantles Bay Shore Field, Withers Next
By: Jenny Kellner

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Apr. 12, 2003) - Don Six was no match in the stretch for the stalking Halo Homewrecker in the $150,000 Bay Shore Stakes (GIII) at Aqueduct on Saturday, Apr. 12.

With jockey John Velazquez aboard for the first time, Halo Homewrecker caught pacesetter Don Six near the eighth-pole and surged ahead with a sixteenth of a mile to go for a one-length victory in the seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds.

"He came out running," said Velazquez. "We got really good position; not too far back. He was game every step of the way."

Halo Homewrecker, nominated to the Kentucky Derby (GI) on May 3, is now three-for-three this year for owner Edward P. Evans, but will make his next start in the Withers Stakes (GIII) at Aqueduct the same day as the Derby.

The son of Southern Halo came from off the pace to win his last start, a seven-furlong, $38,000 allowance race at Gulfstream Park.

Sent off as the second favorite at 7-2, Halo Homewrecker was fourth along the backstretch and moved into contention entering the turn. Just before the turn, the Bobby Frankel-trained Special Rate checked and dropped back.

With Don Six, ridden by Aaron Gryder, on the rail, Halo Homewrecker moved alongside to challenge and then Velazquez urged him on to victory over a "muddy" track. The winning time was 1:23.19. Halo Homemaker returned $9.60 to win.

"He's still learning," winning trainer Mark Hennig said. "Johnny (Velazquez) told me the horse was looking around at the wet spots on the track during the post parade. The horse was jumping around on the backstretch during the warmup. He was also acting up in the gate. I thought he was going to be left at the start."

Don Six, trained by Frank Generazio Jr., was second, with Stanislavsky another 5 1/4 lengths back in third. Fifth of Hennessy was fourth in the field of 11, followed by Infinite Justice, Midnight Charlie, the Bob Baffert-trained During, Deadline, Second in Command, Special Rate and Gators N Bears.

With the victory, Halo Homewrecker earned $90,000 and increased his winnings to $135,780.

Jenny Kellner is one of the most respected, multi-faceted journalists in New York. She served as the New York Islanders beat writer for the New York Times and has covered Thoroughbred horse racing and professional football for several major publications in the Big Apple and beyond. She is a frequent contributor to a myriad of Thoroughbred racing trade publications and has covered numerous Kentucky Derbys and Breeders' Cups.

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