Bold Journey took command with less than a furlong to run and pulled away through the lane on his way to posting a four-and-a-half length victory in the Listed $150,000 Gravesend Stakes at Aqueduct on Saturday, 30 December.
The four-year-old Hard Spun colt has put together a three-race winning streak, with the last two victories coming in Stakes. The Bill Mott trainee captured the G3 Fall Highweight Handicap in his last start Nov. 24.
Ridden to victory by Eric Cancel, Bold Journey utilized his usual late-running tactics once again in the Gravesend, tracking the pace from fourth as Durante and Rotknee battled for the early lead. Rotknee shook free and took a three-length lead into the far turn, but Bold Journey was steadily making up ground with every stride.
Bold Journey swept past Rotknee inside the eighth pole and drew off through the stretch to win quite easily. Rotknee held second, with Durante settling for third.
Bred in New York by Fred W. Hertrich lll & John D. Fielding, Bold Journey is out of the winning Super Saver mare Polly Freeze, making him a half-brother to G1 winner Americanrevolution. Other G1 winners in the immediate family are Stop Traffic and Cross Traffic.
In addition to Bold Journey, Hard Spun is also represented in 2023 by Graded Stakes winners Loyalty, Two Phil's, Spun Glass, and Millie Girl.
Hard Spun will stand the 2024 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $35,000 stands and nurses.
