Baby wins Mighty M Open

Bayonne Baby, who was claimed Feb. 2 at Monticello Raceway for $4,000, captured that track's Open Pace Tuesday afternoon in 1:57. Since being claimed, Bayonne Baby has now won six times in eight starts as he rose through the ranks.



"I guess you could say we made a good claim," said trainer-driver Jimmy Devaux after the 8-year-old On The Road Again gelding earned a new seasonal speed badge. "Not only does he (Bayonne Baby) have a big engine but he's a pleasure to drive and is probably the best horse I've had so far ( in my career)."



The week after he was claimed by Jack and Rose Deluca, Bayonne Baby won in the same class. He then won against $7,000 claimers and then against $10,000 claimers, romping in the latter race by eight lengths in 1:57.4. He followed that up with a victory for a $12,500 price tag. He was then shipped to Saratoga March 19 where he finished second in a $15,000 claiming event.



Devaux brought Bayonne Baby back to Monticello where he finished sixth in a winners-over race March 29. He came back to win in that same class April 5, and then stepped up into the Open where he surprised the field at odds of 11-1.



"I thought we were in deep…but I knew the others would be in for a tussle," Devaux said about Bayonne Baby's chances in his first attempt against the best pacers on the grounds. "This was his first win from off the pace and though I felt he'd go a good race, quite frankly he surprised me. After all, just two months ago he was getting beat in $4000 claimers."

« Back