DEL MAR—“I usually wouldn’t push a 7-year-old into these types of classes,” admitted Ashlee Bond after winning the FEI CSI2* $35,000 1.45m Gold Tour Speed Stake July 25 on Donatello 141. “But he just feels so confident and ready. Every time I’ve asked him to step up, he’s done it with ease and today was no different.”

The energetic Bond and Donatello, a Westphalian gelding owned by Little Valley Farms, were one of 48 horse-and-rider combinations to take on the grass grand prix field at Showpark in one of the signature events of Blenheim EquiSports’s Showpark Racing Festival. Going 17th in the order, Bond edged out the leading time held by Eduardo Menezes, and could not be caught by the following 41 entries.

“I definitely wasn’t planning on going fast and taking the win,” said Bond. “I really can’t believe I just won that class.”

Looking into this talented Westphalian gelding’s future, Bond plans to keep him at this level for the rest of the season and then aim for “the Million” next March at HITS Coachella.

“I have high hopes for him and think he will be able to do the World Cup Finals in 2020,” she added. “I just want to make sure he maintains this level of confidence.”

Eight horse-and-rider combinations went clear over Ivan Tagle’s track, which included three combinations, a fan oxer, and many related bending lines. Menezes and E2 Stables’ Dimitri were fault-free in a seemingly unbeatable time of 76.29 seconds. Bond, however, executed tidy turns and a smooth track, to finish over a full second faster in 75.07. Shawn Casady and Cicomein VDL, going 33rd, slipped into second place, clean in 76.12.

More online: http://bit.ly/808_Bond