Kenwood Racing purchased Michael With Us (Hip #185) out of the 2012 OBS March Selected Two Year Olds in Training Sale for the bargain price of just $57,000. Named by Kenwood Racing founder, Robb Levinsky, in honor of his friend Michael Friedenberg, who had recently died after a two year battle with stomach cancer, Michael With Us was a striking colt by Bluegrass Cat out of young Unbridled’s Song mare named Unbridled Melody. His mother turned out to be an outstanding producer, having produced a full brother to Michael, Mountain Music Man, who won the Awad Stakes at Belmont Park and Tourist, a multiple Grade 1 stakes placed Tiznow colt who has run twice in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

After four in-the-money finishes in maiden special weight company Kenwood sent Michael With Us to the $100,000 OBS Championship Stakes still a maiden and he didn’t disappoint, winning by half a length under hall of fame rider Edgar Prado, setting off an emotional celebration in the winner’s circle. Michael followed that up with an allowance win at Monmouth Park in May of his three year old year winning by a 1 ¾ lengths on the turf. He was graded stakes placed in the Grade 3 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park in 2013 when finishing second to Are You Kidding Me, who would go on to win three more Grade II stakes in his career. Michael continued to run hard through his three and four year old years against stake and allowance company and was eventually claimed from Kenwood for $50,000 at Belmont Park in October of his four year old year. Michael With Us earned close to $200,000 under Kenwood silks and will long be remembered by Kenwood co-owners as a major success story named to honor a very special person.

Click here for a video of Michael With Us breaking his maiden and winning the 2012 OBS Championship Stakes in thrilling fashion.