Senbei

Senbei’s career got off to a blistering start as he won four of his five starts as a 2-year-old in 2021 with stakes victories against New York-breds in the Funny Cide Stakes Presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, New York Breeders’ Futurity, and Notebook Stakes. His lone defeat was a runner-up finish in the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes.

Senbei stayed hot for his 3-year-old bow six months later in the Gold Fever Stakes against open stakes competition in May 2022, leading from start to finish for a victory by a neck. He subsequently was unplaced in his final three races of 2022.

The chestnut gelding by Candy Ride was winless in four races in 2023, with his best effort a runner-up finish in his turf debut July 7 at Belmont.

The surface switch to grass helped lead to a rediscovery of his best form. Senbei won his second start of 2024 in a turf sprint July 6 at Belmont at the Big A before running third, beaten by only a head, in the 5 ½-furlong Select Stakes Aug. 17 at Monmouth Park.

In his next race, Senbei earned the first graded stakes win of his career with an eye-catching rally from off the pace to win the $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint Stakes, completing six furlongs in a sprightly 1:07.74 to win the Grade 3 stakes at Belmont at the Big A.

Senbei is out of the winning Western Cat mare Sweet Aloha, who also has produced stakes winner Filibustin and Indy’s Lady.