Photo by Adam Coglianese/NYRA 

BAY OF BENGAL ran his stats to two wins from four starts Friday in a one mile optional starter allowance on the grass at Aqueduct. Jaime Rodriguez, who was aboard the gelding for his maiden breaker at Laurel Park on September 12, had the mount again yesterday. He has recently moved his tack to New York.

Bay of Bengal broke sharply, took command early and never relinquished the lead. In so doing, he avoided big drama behind him when eventual third-place finisher Prove set off a multi-car collision. “Salt Spartan….fell heavily just inside the six and a half furlong marker when getting his left front leg kicked out in a cow kick by Prove, who was in front and to the inside, which forced to rivals to alter and bobble and stumble around him, (Salt Spartan) rose to his feet and ran off bucking and got apprehended by the outrider after bucking due to the slipped saddle, then got vetted on track and walked off under his own power.”

Wow. A round of applause to the chart writers for that one. Bay of Bengal won by a length after leaving the gate at 23/1 and rewarding his backers with $48.92 – $20.02 – $13.02.

Bred in Kentucky by Robert S. Evans, the 3-year-old chestnut is by Speightstown out of Bengala (FR), by Pivotal (GB). He is now owned jointly by Mr. Evans and Niall J. Brennan. Congratulations to both gentlemen on another win!