Proletariat became the first stakes winner for second-crop sire Raging Bull in notching a front-running triumph in the $153,000 Oceanside Handicap at Del Mar on the track's opening day of its summer meet, July 17.
The 3-year-old gelding dictated the pace in the 1-mile turf feature for 3-year-olds, drawing off to score by 5 3/4 lengths under Kyle Frey in 1:33.54. He posted a career-best Equibase Speed Figure of 109. The victory, worth $90,000, increased Proletariat's earnings to $209,400 and marked his third win from six starts for owners Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures.
Trainer Jeff Mullins credited Frey with getting the headstrong Proletariat to settle on the front end.
"He's always had that speed. It was a matter of getting him to shut down early and wait for it," Frey said. "We've been working with him in the mornings and he's getting better and better. His race today was a real good one, as you just saw."
Proletariat is the second black-type horse of three to race from his dam, the Kodiac mare Kodiak West.
Proletariat excels on turf, as did Raging Bull, who earned more than $1.7 million while compiling a 7-4-4 record from 22 starts. The Chad Brown-trained Raging Bull won top-level events in the 2018 Hollywood Derby (G1T), 2020 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T), and the 2021 Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland.
Raging Bull stood this year at Gainesway in Kentucky for $7,500 fee.
