WAR FRONT’s evergreen son Bombard was back in the winner’s circle on Saturday evening when the 8-year-old won the Daytona Stakes (G3), his third career stakes victory.
Racing over the Santa Anita turf, Bombard went immediately to the lead in the 6 ½ furlong race and never looked back. Flavien Prat let the favorite do what he pleased and it paid off with more than enough to hold off any late runners for the victory. In the end, that conserved energy worked well as Bombard still had plenty in hand to win by 1 ¼ lengths over graded stakes winner Majestic Eagle.
“He broke really well and put himself in the race,” said Prat. “He ran his race. I don’t think the blinkers on had anything to do with his race. I love to win.”
Trained by Richard Mandella for Perry and Ramona Bass, Adele Dilschneider, and Waddell Hancock, Bombard was obviously proud to record his sixth career win as he strutted back to the winner’s circle. Breaking the $450,000 mark with this win, Bombard has finished in the top three in 14 of his 18 career starts.
Bombard is one of two stakes horses for Grade 3 winner and Grade 1 fourth Witty alongside Grade 2-placed Amused. Witty is a half-sister to Dubai World Cup (G1) and Goodwood Stakes (G1) winner Well Armed and a full sister to Grade 1-placed Helsinki. Another one of her half-sisters also produced Grade 1 winner American Patriot.