Ete Indien Headlines 100k Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint
At 0h02, on July 4, 2021 • By GULFSTREAM PARK
A prominent prospect on the Road to the Triple Crown last year before going to the sidelines, Ete Indien is scheduled to make his first start in more than a year in Sunday’s $100,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park.
Ete Indien was a leading 3-year-old last year after setting the pace to finish second behind Tiz the Law in the Holy Bull (G2) and capturing the Fountain of Youth (G2) by 8 ½ lengths. The son of Summer Front went on to finish third behind Tiz the Law after setting a pressured early pace in the Florida Derby (G1). Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) were postponed from their traditional May dates.
“For us, it was very disappointing because my two horses – he and Sole Volante – were at the top of their game,” trainer Patrick Biancone said. “Everything changed. One got hurt and the other one lost his form. But the racetracks were great, protecting everybody and keeping them safe and keeping everybody working.”
Ete Indien would race only once more last year in a June optional claiming allowance, weakening to finish fourth behind stablemate Sole Volante after setting a pressured pace.
“He’s trained extremely well, but when you have not run for a year, you cannot expect to have the horse super-tight. He had a little hiccup, and he’s recovered from everything now. He’s happy, sound and very strong,” Biancone said. “He strained one of his ankles. He should have been ready to run in March, but unfortunately, one morning, he put his legs over the [stall] door and I lost another three months.”
Biancone is happy with what he sees in Ete Indien one full year after he established himself as one of the best 3-year-olds in the country.
“He’s gorgeous; he’s really matured. He’s 16 hands. He’s a monster,” said Biancone, who owns Ete Indien with Linda Shanahan, Sanford Bacon, Dream With Me Stable Inc., Horse France America and D P Racing.
“I like the five furlongs on turf for a comeback because it’s not too hard on them,” said Biancone. “We go back to scratch. He’s had a year off. We got back to where he started.”
Florent Geroux, who was aboard for Ete Indien’s Fountain of Youth romp, has the call.
