Nothing went right for Pink Cashmere on October 28th at Laurel Park, but she managed to overcome it all and end up in the winner's circle anyway. After bobbling badly at the break, she quickly dropped back to 8^th in the early going and it appeared she would be hopelessly beaten. However, jockey Angel Cruz allowed her to settle and she began picking off horses on the far turn. Turning for home, she was four wide, then shied from another filly at the top of the stretch while going six wide, but despite turning her head, she still managed to grind down the leaders to win by ½ length in a four horse photo under an excellent, patient ride. The chart speaks for itself, she overcame much and displayed heart and talent, along with some obvious immaturity! Pink Cashmere had faced much better horses in her three previous starts, including male horses once. With a patient ride and a little luck, her class showed and she got the win despite trouble. By putting her against horses where she had the class edge, we put money in the bank and got her in the winner’s circle. We think she’s going to be a nice New Jersey bred for us next year, running at Monmouth Park, which was the plan all along. We’ll give her one or two more starts this year, then a little time to mature mentally and physically at the farm, and have her ready when Monmouth Park opens next spring for some very generous New Jersey bred purses. Congratulations. to trainer Ben Perkins and all the partners and group 31 co-owners!

This is a good place to note our previous blog on two year olds, which shows in 2015 there were 21,572 registered two year olds in North America. 8,105 (37.6%) made at least one start, 2,443 (11.4%) won at least one race and  258 (1.2%) were stakes winners. These stats change little year to year. Thus far from Kenwood Racing’s group of 9 two year olds, we’ve had 5 starters (55%) and 2 winners (22%), far above these averages already and by year’s end, we’ll add to our out-performance. This game takes real patience and even then, it’s tough sometimes! Over the last 6+ years, 90%+ of all Kenwood's two year olds started and over 50% won, incredible stats! We keep our program affordable with groups of horses and one-time modest payments because it’s not easy to win races. With most two year olds, it's a waiting game. If you can get them safely to the starting gate, get a race or two into them and have them mentally and physically sound going into their three year old season, you are doing your job. Many of the better horses are late developers, who given time and patience, will go on to better things as they mature if they are carefully handled early.