Another excellent week for Kenwood runners and a lot more excitement ahead!

Thursday August 6th was a memorable day at Penn National, when both our runners won thrilling races. First we had Big Apple Brit, who was stretching out off a fast closing 6^th from way back in a sprint last time, beaten just 2 lengths for the win in a race we noted as being super impressive despite not hitting the board. The longer distance hit him right in the head here as he sat an easy 3^rd in the early going, moved into 2^nd at the top of the stretch, and wore down the leader to win going away by a widening two lengths. This is our cheapest horse, but also one of our soundest and most hard trying. He gives it his all every time and now has a record of 5 wins, 6 seconds and 4 thirds from 30 starts, as solid as they come. Then it was Long May You Run‘s turn in the 6^th race, facing a very tough field of allowance runners moving back to the dirt from two straight turf sprints. He broke well, settled nicely in third behind the solid favorite, moved into contention at the top of the stretch and wore down the leaders by a long neck in a very game effort to give Kenwood two wins for the evening and nearly $30,000 in purse money. Congratulations to partners Tony & Gloria Varano, who visited the winner’s circle twice in a night not to be forgotten!  Kenwood has been on a tear all summer and these two impressive wins certainly started August off on the right hoof with a lot more action to come!         

Title Fight was simply outrun by much faster horses in the Florida Stallion Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream Park, finishing 8^th, while never in the hunt. As we said to one co-owner “it’s all about the company you keep”. He ran about as well time wise as he did in his debut and finished 8^th, which is why we try hard to keep ourselves in the best company and our horses in the worst company. As explained before the race, if there had been any other option but this stake, he’d never have run here, but he’s a solid horse and he’ll win when a more realistic spot appears.          .

On Sunday, Scuba Sue was beaten at the wire in a heartbreaker at Monmouth Park, a virtual repeat of her last, both times she opened a solid lead on the far turn and was caught at the wire in a photo, finishing 2^nd. We had 25+ people on hand looking for the winner’s circle, but it was not to be. She was claimed from us and we’ll miss her again, but we paid $16,000 and they paid us $25,000, plus two nice purses for the seconds. It could have been even better with one or two wins, but it was a very nice profit and two thrilling races!

Our annual meeting couldn’t have possibly gone any better on Sunday. An overflow crowd at Kenwood’s office, next year we’ll need a larger location, thanks to the large number of new co-owners who have joined the Kenwood family this year!  We had 2 hours of great questions, wonderful feedback, and as always the comradery of a great group of co-owners and partners. Our heartfelt thanks to all, we do this for you!

On to upcoming entries…. Sonny’s Pharoah will be our 2^nd two year old to debut this year when she runs in the 5^th race at Penn National this Thursday, about 7:30pm. She’s doing well and this should be a good learning experience for her.

We’ve been looking for a race for Jersey Jules for two weeks now and nothing went at Monmouth Park, despite the racing office making a real try on several occasions. Most likely the next entry will be at Saratoga for August 22nd.

We entered 3 horses for next Friday at Monmouth Park and none of the races were used, BUT all were brought back for Saturday and hopefully at least a couple will go next weekend.

Wednesday August 12th, we will ENTER several horses for races next Friday at Penn National, including PJ’S Enigma and This Quay Home, so next weekend could be busy again.

Off to Saratoga next week, a large group of Kenwood people are going. Both Robb Levinsky and Allen Katz are featured speakers at the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) seminar next Wednesday, August 12th, at Saratoga. Details available here. It should be a great week!

Kenwood Racing has been on fire this summer, with two wins at Penn National on Thursday, a fine 2^nd with Scuba Sue at Monmouth Park on Sunday, and it’s not over yet!!!