Vibrant Spirit ended a very good two months for Kenwood Racing runners on a winning note at Gulfstream Park (race 6) with an exciting wire to wire win on December 26th, as a large group of happy owners celebrated in the winner’s circle.  She went to the lead from the #1 post with a slow early pace and had tons in the tank when challenged in the stretch, holding two horses at bay for a hard fought 1/2 length win (see chart).  This nice filly by top sire Kitten's Joy ended her excellent two year old campaign with a win, 2 seconds and two thirds from 7 starts and never ran a bad race for us.

Vibrant Spirit's win gives Kenwood three wins, three seconds and two thirds from 11 starts in November – December to close out 2017 with a bang. Our two year olds have totally blown the doors off the national metrics again this year. Statistically 44% of all two year olds start at least once at age two and 11% make it to the winner’s circle. From our 6 two year olds this year five have started, (85%), two have won (33%), all five to start have either won or placed, and they collectively made over 20 starts, truly exceptional numbers. We have a lot to look forward to from them in 2018!

A brief teachable moment as we end 2017. The part so difficult for people to understand is how much these are individuals; horses not cars, the ‘stats’ people live and die over are almost all of little or no value and the game requires infinite patience sometimes. You don’t just change the oil after 10,000 miles, or change equipment to go faster. Just a few weeks ago, we had no wins with any two year old. Thanks Mom and That’s History both had been totally distanced, each beaten 25+ lengths in their debuts, Lisa Limon had been distanced in her previous start, Vibrant Spirit had been 7^th and 8^th in her two previous starts. Just a few weeks later and all these horses have run great. Lisa and Spirit in the winner’s circle at about the toughest track-meet to win at in North America, History and Mom good 2nds and sitting on wins. There's no magic formula, it’s just letting young horses develop at their own pace and keeping yourself calm and not making rash moves so they can ultimately become the best horses their talent and temperament allows. Remember that in competitive athletics only a small fraction of those who compete end up to be winners. 100,000+ young men dream of playing in the NBA or NFL each year and a couple hundred make it. Same with horses; a claiming horse that wins a couple of cheap races and retires is the norm, a $20,000 claiming horse that has a decent career for 2-3 years has beaten the odds big time. 10%-12% of horses win allowance races, 2-3% win stakes, literally less than 1 in 1000 are grade 1 stars. If you can’t handle those facts, you are in the wrong game, plain and simple.