Bibblesman makes good in the mud

On what was roughly the first anniversary of his purchase as a 2-year-old, Bibblesman slogged home well in front of an allowance field on Monday in a muddy race at Parx Racing.

Bibblesman was bought for $22,000 as Hip 337 at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale in Timonium, Md., which held its 2011 edition on Monday. In the 12 months since, Bibblesman has made five starts, won twice and placed twice, and has earned $74,860.

On Monday, in a field scratched-down to five runners due to the weather, Bibblesman was sent off as the third-favorite at 7/2 odds. But he won like he should have been 3/5, stalking 4/5 favorite Fersmiley (who bore out and carried Bibblesman wide in the late-going), then Bibblesman drew off to win by 4 1/2 lengths. Final time for six furlongs in the mud was a fast-track-like 1:09.80, which certainly could bode well for Bibblesman's future.

I was surprised Bibblesman was sent off at comparatively long odds in the field. He had a win and two placings from three starts prior this year, was beaten in his last-out when caught at the wire by a 4-year-old in a field of open (i.e., not statebred) NW2L runners, and his last drill was a bullet 48-flat, fastest of 55 on the day.

I short-listed the intact son of Sharp Humor-Sparkling Forest, by Forest Wildcat, for a client seeking a bargain runner out of that 2010 EASMAY sale. He was unplaced in one start at 2, but is 2-2-0 from four starts at 3. A Pennsylvania-bred, I think the colt has a ton of up-side. He is nominated to the Danzig Stakes for statebreds at Parx, but that race goes off Friday and he almost certainly won't be wheeled-back so quickly. Still, it appears that Bibblesman fits well in PA-bred stakes-company in the future.

The link still needs updating, but you can follow the 187-member sales class here.