Te Chosen Vron Wins Barrera

TIZ THE VRON

The Chosen Vron makes easy work of the Lazaro Barrera Stakes at Santa Anita

MANY WERE CALLED BUT ONLY VRON WAS CHOSEN

BY TRACY GANTZ

Trainer Eric Kruljac and owners Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker, and Richard Tornburgh didn’t set out to breed a graded California-bred runner. But all four men gleefully posed with Te Chosen Vron in the Santa Anita winner’s circle after the $98,000 Lazaro Barrera Stakes (G3) May 15.

“He’s a pretty exciting horse,” said Kruljac. “When you breed them yourself, there’s just that extra pride that goes into it.”

Te trek to the Barrera began when Class Racing purchased Tiz Molly, a paternal granddaughter of Cal-bred champion Tiznow and now the dam of Te Chosen Vron. Tiz Molly cost $25,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale and came from the consignment of her breeder, Lantern Hill Farm.

“His mother started of like she was going to be a stakes horse,” said Kruljac. “She won her frst two starts in open company, and then she hurt herself on the grass. She hurt her hind end, so we decided to give her a chance and breed her.”

Twice they went to perennial leading California sire Unusual Heat. Superhotamolly placed, but Tizhotndusty won three races and earned $130,348.

“Tizhotndusty almost broke his open conditions,” said Kruljac. “So it turned out a good idea to breed Tiz Molly.”

Once Unusual Heat was pensioned, they bred Tiz Molly to Vronsky, resulting in Te Chosen Vron. Te Barrera was bittersweet for Vronsky’s connections. Te 22-year-old stallion died of an apparent heart attack about two weeks before the race.

Te Chosen Vron brought a record of two wins and a third in three starts to the 61⁄2-furlong Barrera. One win came in the Echo Eddie Stakes while the third was to Concert Tour and Freedom Fighter in the San Vicente Stakes (G2).

© BENOIT PHOTOS

Te Barrera drew a feld of four, with favoritism going back and forth between Te Chosen Vron and Laurel River, a well-bred maiden winner owned and bred by Juddmonte Farms and trained by Bob Bafert.

“Somebody plunged,” said Kruljac. “We were 6-5, 7-5, but we went of at 3-5.”

Laurel River ended up as the second choice at 6-5 after being favored earlier in the wagering.

Cal-bred I’ll Stand Taller, one of two trained by Doug O’Neill, dueled with Laurel River for the early lead. Laurel River clicked of the frst quarter-mile in :21.32.

“Tese short felds can be like match races,” said Kruljac. “I knew my horse could rate, though.”

Te early fractions also encouraged Sondereker’s hopes.

“When I saw the fractions, I thought we have got a shot,” Sondereker said.

Umberto Rispoli was riding Te Chosen Vron for the frst time. He and Te Chosen Vron waited in fourth early.

“I could see they were going really fast,” Rispoli said.

Te Chosen Vron moved into second on the rail in the turn and angled outside of Laurel River for the stretch run.

“He really kicked well in the stretch,” Rispoli said.

Tat kick took Te Chosen Vron past Laurel River fairly easily, and he scored by 31⁄2 lengths in 1:16.28. Laurel River fnished 10 lengths ahead of third-place Wipe the Slate.

After the race Rispoli came over to Kruljac and threw an arm around him.

“Tis man, when I frst came here, he gave me so many winners,” said the jockey. “I’m so glad to fnally win a stakes for him.”