A very good day today with a win and a second from three starters, plus two new entries and some good news from the breeding shed to boot!
First up Blue Eyed Beth went right to the front under top rider Paco Lopez and never looked back, fending off a stiff challenge through the entire stretch from the co-favorite to win by a neck. It was a very happy group of Kenwood owners that greeted her in the winner’s circle, including partners Allen Katz and Gloria Varano, plus longtime Kenwood friend Bev Anderson. Special shout out to Blue Eyed Beth's namesake, partner Beth Katz! Kudos to trainer Ron Spatz and his team for a job well done with this speedy and talented filly. Ron picked her out for us at the June OBS sale last year for just $15,000 and she’s turned out to be quite a bargain already, with the winning purse today of $19,600 and the best yet to come!
Next was the only down moment of a great day, as Run Macho Run was eased at the break at Santa Anita in race 2. Fortunately, appears to be totally fine, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer had the state vet come to the barn afterwards and he jogged sound and comfortably. Not sure what the rider was concerned about but one to just toss out.
In the final race of a very exciting with three runners at three different tracks, Exchanging Ember returned from nearly a one year layoff to finish a very strong 2nd in race 2 at Penn National. Recall she was a dull 8th in her debut a year ago, and needed considerable time off at the farm after that due to injury. We were not sure if she’d ever make it back to the races (we never, ever push a horse to run if they’re not safe to do so) but given proper time, she healed perfectly and trained really well for this. Trainer Mark Salvaggio felt from the start this year that she was “a different horse” and tonight she showed that. Ember battled hard for the lead throughout, finally passed by the favorite in the stretch, who drew away to win easily, but Ember kept on fighting to the wire and was well clear of the rest of the field. If you watch the video replay you can see she galloped out very strongly, ahead of the winner. It was a fine comeback, especially given the extended layoff and the fact she had to face males when races for fillies didn’t fill on five occasions. Off this one, we think she has a real shot to have a nice career for us at the right level.
And comes additional good news from Kentucky as Scat Daddy filly Lisa Limon was pronounced 14 days in foal on the first cover to top young sire Liam’s Map. She’ll have an early foaling date for next year, making her all the more attractive at the sales this fall.
Finally, the day ended on a good note when entries for Magic Musketier and Annie’s Candy both went for Sunday at Santa Anita., so we’ll have two more runners following More Ice and Bullion Saturday on a weekend to remember! Both get top riders, both training well. Annie’s Candy drops into what should be a very good spot, the horse to beat in a small field. Magic Musketier got a very competitive full field of top allowance runners, doing well but will need a lifetime best race and a good trip to compete here.
Entry for Harbour Way did not go but was brought back, enter tomorrow for next week at Penn, she had an easy maintenance work (below) and is ready to roll.
More Ice is set for the $1,000,000 Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby this Saturday. He is one of two longshots at 30 to 1 on the morning line in a small but select field. A large crowd of Kenwood owners will be on hand in a private suite by the winner’s circle to enjoy a fantastic day of racing, with Bullion running one race before More Ice’s race in a maiden allowance race. Bullion’s on the turf, in a 12 horse field, not what we wanted but with no dirt race for him going after multiple entries and again the horse doing really well, it was run or sit in the barn.
ALL entry information as usual can be found here.
We are very pleased to announce that Group #51 is now sold out, along with Group #52 which sold out last week. We are now down to just three shares for our very special Group #50. For information on the remaining shares, please visit our Current Offerings page. Thanks so much for your support of our program!
WOW, what a start to the big week(end) and lots more ahead all month!