Bobby J’s Rush romps to African Prince victory

Bobby J’s Rush romped in the $25,000 African Prince Stakes on Saturday, completing six furlongs in 1:11 2/5.Trained by William Sienkewicz and ridden by Dyn Panell, the sophomore son of Lycius broke sharply and contested the early lead with Pete before putting away that rival and drawing off impressively to win by 12 lengths to earn the second win of his career.”I had the perfect trip,” said Panell. “He broke sharply and that was the main thing today. He was able to contest the lead and ran great.”Bobby J’s Rush returned $3.00, 2.10 and 2.10. Pete paid $3.40 and 4.10 while Sultan’s Princess returned $3.20.It was the third straight winner for Panell on the card. He also won the second race aboard King Colby ($4.40) for George Brown and the third race with Who Is Lady ($5.00) for Jay Bernardini.uJohn Rigattieri saddled three winners on Monday’s nine-race-card at Suffolk Downs. He began his day in the second race with Buy Buy Mistake ($3.00) with Gary Wales aboard. He and Dyn Panell moved up to win the third race via disqualification with Kaiser’s D’Light ($6.00) and then again teamed up in the fourth race with Nuestra Señor ($17.20).Rigattieri is currently second in the trainer standings with 27 victories.uThe race for leading rider at Suffolk Downs is heating up between David Amiss and Dyn Panell. Amiss, a longtime New England veteran, had topped the jockey standings for much of the season but Panell drew even and has taken the lead by one win with 47 victories this season. Both riders are named to ride seven horses on Saturday’s nine-race card.uToday at Suffolk Downs, six of the top sprinters on the grounds will compete in the day’s featured race, a $25,000 optional claiming race.Topping the field is Rush Now, tabbed as the favorite at odds of 2-1 for trainer David Jacobson. The multiple stakes winning son of Tiznow will have Taylor Hole in the irons and will break from the inside post.Also in the field is Duty Proper, New England’s reigning champion juvenile. He is trying to make it two in a row for trainer Robert Raymond and will have James Vail aboard for Touchdown Stable. The three-year-old gelding is 4-1 on the morning line and will break from post two.uNext week, Suffolk Downs will be racing live on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday with a regular first post of 12:45 p.m.Material for this report assembled from racing sources and wire services.