Another fine day overall to end a very big week for Kenwood runners, with more action to come! Here’s a rundown of racing results for the entire week, plus another big entry with Blue Eyed Beth at Gulfstream coming up.

First up today at Santa Anita, our only disappointment of the week as Magic Musketier sat a perfect stalking trip in 4^th and plain failed to fire, finishing 6^th and last after not being asked in the stretch. Seems to have come out of the race just fine, at this point hard to say why this consistent runner turned in such a poor effort here with no obvious excuse.

Then at Golden Gate Fields, More Ice ran in the main event for the week, the historic 104^th California Derby, and finished a close 3^rd, beaten 2&1/4 lengths for the win in a very fine effort. The race came up tougher than we had anticipated but he got a fine stalking trip and ran hard and well throughout. Time will tell, but given the fact he’s already had 2 big wins on the Del Mar turf and now been stakes placed three times, there’s every reason for us to be looking forward to the summer at Del Mar with him. It was a fun and exciting afternoon in the turf club at Golden Gate for the Kenwood owners and friends and a fine ending to an exceptionally successful week which saw Kenwood runners post wins from coast to coast. We had two blowout maiden wins, a second, and a third today in the California Derby from five starters. Enough said….

On Friday, Bullion drew away in the stretch to win by 9+ widening lengths in a super impressive effort to break his maiden in style in race 3 at Santa Anita. A hearty congratulations to the group #40 owners. He’s a nice horse with heart, talent, pedigree and potential. Nice to see him in the winner’s circle!

On Thursday, Starring John Wain stepped up to open company at Golden Gate Fields in race 2 and finished a game 2^nd. The heavily favored winner, shipping in from Southern California, was much the best but Starring John Wain out gamed the rest of a very solid field of maiden special weight runners, rallying determinedly in the stretch to get 2^nd. It was (literally) less than 1 length from 2^nd to 6^th; he simply wanted it more than the rest of a closely matched field. This incredibly consistent horse has now been in the money seven races in a row and as a Ca. bred is picking up very nice checks each time while looking for his maiden win.

On Wednesday, Exchanging Ember started off what will go down as one of our biggest and most exciting weeks ever on exactly the right note, breaking her maiden in style in race 5 at Penn National by 6 widening lengths. It could have been just about any distance, as she tracked the early leader in 2^nd, took over the lead at the top of the stretch and drew away from the field for a very impressive win, geared down at the end while still posting a fast time for the level despite being forced out both at the start and again at the top of the stretch (see chart). Stepping up in class a bit off her good 2^nd last time against males, she simply outclassed the field.

It’s been a very long wait for this talented filly as she sustained a serious injury after her debut back in January of 2018 (a dull 8^th) and was on the farm recovering for most of last year. Fortunately, after giving her the time she needed she not only returned totally sound but far more mature and ready to be a racehorse. Her mother, our beloved Exchanging Fire, while running injury free throughout her long career also took time to develop, winning three stakes for us after running in claiming races early on. Exchanging Fire improved when stretched out in distance, and we are eager to give Ember a shot going long(er) as soon as we can find a suitable race for her.  Kudos to trainer Mark Salvaggio and his team for their patient handling of this filly, and to Richele Grieb at Daydream Farm, where Ember convalesced last year. A hearty congratulations to the members of group #34, your patience was rewarded this evening and hopefully the best is yet to come, and also to the members of group #47 who own her brother, Start A Fire. He’s an incredibly impressive individual and Ember showcased a little of the family’s talent and heart tonight. Exchanging Fire was very special to all of us, a member of our family, and Ember did her proud tonight.

In entry news Blue Eyed Beth finally gets in at Gulfstream Park this Thursday in race 8. It’s a good spot for her; off her impressive maiden win last time and given how well she’s been training, we are expecting another solid race from her here.

Diamond Play and all three two year olds purchased at the OBS March sale have safely arrived at Monmouth Park and are bedded down in Kelly Breen’s barn. Life On the Edge (group #50 two year old Competitive Edge filly), Giuliana Vee (recently named two year old Into Mischief filly, group #51), Shakin It Up colt (group #49 two year old) arrived Friday morning, all doing excellent. Kelly is eager to get started with them at Monmouth.

Our first morning training session for the season at Monmouth Park will be this Friday. Space limited, first come first served, so please reserve ASAP if you wish to attend and we’ll send you meeting details shortly.

Last call for our season kickoff party Friday and opening day seating at Monmouth, please RSVP if you haven’t already and et us know if you plan to attend. Don’t forget to submit your questions for the party seminar, anything you want to know about racing in general, Kenwood, your horses, all welcome.

Finally, if you plan to attend opening day (May 4^th) at Monmouth Park and wish help with seating – admissions, kindly email Owner Services Manager, George Katzenberger ASAP.