Bango collected his second career stakes win Saturday at Churchill Downs with a last-to-first effort in the $150,000 Aristides S.
The 4-year-old son of Congrats returned to listed company after a pair of solid graded stakes efforts this spring, most recently when he was beaten just two lengths in the Churchill Downs S. (G1) on Derby Day.
Bango, who has shown speed in his prior races, was away slowly Saturday, and it wasn’t until midway on the turn he began to make up ground. Coming six wide into the stretch, he took the top spot with a furlong to run, then held off Long Range Toddy, who also closed from far back, to win by a half-length in 1:09.65 for the six furlongs on the fast track.
“He broke very slow but he was able to settle and he made a really fast run around the pacesetters,” said trainer Greg Foley. “He absolutely loves Churchill Downs and I’m hoping we can get him into another race here before the meet is over.”
Winner of five of eight starts at Churchill, Bango is 6-1-1 in 17 overall starts, with earnings of $393,557 for owner/breeder Tamaroak Stable.
Bango’s next start could come in the $100,000 Kelly’s Landing S. on June 25 at Churchill.
Bango is the third stakes winner this month for Congrats. With 70 winners of 112 races to date, Congrats ranks third on the 2021 General Sire list in the latter category.
