Lots of action and news...

Lots of news but let’s begin with a photo of our old friend, 2011 New Jersey bred Horse of the Year Hermosillo from Barbara Luna at War Horses at Rose Bower farm in Virginia. He still looks fantastic at 15 years old, thanks in no small part due to the loving care Barbara gives him. To quote her “Once again, he comes out of every winter fatter than the year before! He’s gorgeous isn’t he? His back is as wide as a picnic table. A handsomer horse would be hard to find...”.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Luna

We are pleased to announce that groups #49 (Shake It Up Baby) & #50 (Life on the Edge) are now sold out. All remaining shares in group #49 were sold in just four days after the announcement at the Monmouth Park season kickoff party last Friday and the final share in our landmark group #50 was snapped up yesterday. All six groups offered so far in 2019 have been completely sold out! Thanks to everyone for their support of our program, including a record 18 new co-owners in 2019 so far!  

It’s official! Our annual meeting this year will be June 30^th at the same beautiful venue as our Jersey Shore kickoff party last Friday in Asbury Park. Everyone loved the event space, perfect for our group. This is your opportunity to see financial information on all active groups and ask any and all business questions while enjoying food and drink in a really great space with your fellow owners. Current owners only, stay tuned for more details but mark June 30^th in your calendars now.

Final call if you wish to attend the Belmont Stakes, last chance to order tickets-seats. Please contact our Owner Services Manager, George Katzenberger for assistance.

Entry and horse news….

• Red Shelby runs Sunday at Golden Gate Fields. Takes a nice drop in class, smaller field, good spot. Looking for a much-improved effort here.
• Seahawk Lisa arrived safely in California and is in training at Los Alamitos with assistant trainer Don Chatlos (who prepares most of Jerry’s two year olds). We purchased her last year as a yearling and were very pleased with her progress in Ocala this winter. Looking forward to her debut this summer in California.
• Guiliana Vee (group #51), Life on the Edge (group #50), and the Shakin It Up colt (group #49, now officially with the really cool name of Shake It Up Baby) all galloping strongly and making excellent progress towards their debuts at Monmouth Park.
• Start A Fire (group #47) will ship from Ocala to Kelly Breen at Monmouth Park in about three weeks. At that point all our two year olds will be at the track, training for their career debuts.
• A very nice work at Golden Gate for Taima The Hawk (below). Hoping to have him back in the entries shortly.

Horse Workout Notification 
May 7, 2019
Taima the Hawk (6-Year-Old Gelding)
Your comments for this horse were: Claimed 11/22/18 at GGF, KRP Racehorse
Date: May 7, 2019
Track: GOLDEN GATE FIELDS
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 48:60 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: All Weather Track
Rank: 2/10

Training videos, works, event announcements

Our three new two-year olds, Guiliana Vee, Life on the Edge and the Shakin It Up colt all galloped strongly down the lane this morning at Monmouth Park. Trainer Kelly Breen took these videos. All three have adapted quickly and easily at Monmouth and are making excellent progress towards their debuts.

Into Mischief filly Guiliana Vee (on the inside) training at Monmouth Park on May 7th

Competitive Edge filly Life on the Edge (outside) and Shakin It Up colt (inside) training at Monmouth Park on May 7th

We are pleased to announce that there has been a ton of interest in our announcement on group #49 (Shakin It Up colt) Friday at the Jersey Shore kickoff party and we’re down to the final share in this horse, as well as in group #50 (Life On the Edge). Groups #51 (Guiliana Vee) & #52 (Preacher) are both sold out. Thanks to everyone for their support of our program.

Two good works to report for Diamond Play at Monmouth Park and Vibrant Spirit at Gulfstream Park. (below). 

Diamond Play continues to work exceptionally well, she could have run even without this work but now she should be fit and prepared for her race. Any horse coming off a layoff needs a race or two usually to show their best, but she’s ready to run now.

Vibrant Spirit worked much better than her last work, in company with another horse and a lot quicker.

It’s official! Our annual meeting this year will be June 30^th at the same beautiful venue as our Jersey Shore kickoff party last Friday in Asbury Park. Everyone loved the event space, perfect for our group. This is your opportunity to see financial information on all active groups and ask any and all business questions while enjoying food and drink in a really great space with your fellow owners. Current owners only, stay tuned for more details but mark June 30^th in your calendars now.

If you wish to attend the Belmont Stakes, NOW is the time to order tickets-seats. Kenwood is happy to assist you with seating arrangements, contact our Owner Services Manager, George Katzenberger.  Please note, every year whether or not there is a Triple Crown on the line people ask for help with seating at the last minute. As announced today, Country House has been ruled out of the Preakness, there is no Triple Crown on the line this year! Once the seats are sold, there’s nothing we can do. Triple Crown or no, the Belmont Stakes is an absolutely great day of world-class racing. NOW is the time to reserve good seats if you wish to attend.

Seahawk Lisa scheduled to ship from Ocala to Jerry Hollendorfer at Santa Anita this afternoon and arrive tomorrow. Start A Fire will ship from T-Square Stud in Ocala to Kelly Breen at Monmouth in about three weeks. At that point all our two year olds will be at the track in training for their career debuts.

Horse Workout Notification 
May 7, 2019
Diamond Play (6-Year-Old Mare)
Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse
Date: May 7, 2019
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 48:80 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 17/81

Horse Workout Notification 
May 6, 2019
Vibrant Spirit (4-Year-Old Filly)
Your comments for this horse were: OBS MArch sale purchase
Date: May 6, 2019
Track: GULFSTREAM PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:31 Breezing
Track Condition: Good
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 9/14

Sharing a priceless photo taken by Ellen Gaynor at Monmouth Park at Friday morning training of Diamond Play giving Kelly Breen’s asst trainer John Attfield a kiss. As you can see in the photo, she’s in great flesh, happy and healthy and ready for her season debut at Monmouth just as soon as a suitable race comes up for her (probably May 19^th will be the first possible entry but we are ready to run anytime now).

Two event announcements, please note!   If you wish to attend the Belmont Stakes, NOW is the time to order tickets-seats. Kenwood is happy to assist you with seating arrangements, contact George@Kenwoodracing.com.  Please note, every year if there’s a Triple Crown on the line people ask for help with seating at the last minute. Once the seats are sold there’s nothing we can do. Triple Crown or no, the Belmont Stakes is an absolutely great day of world -class racing. NOW is the time to reserve good seats if you wish to attend.

Our annual meeting this year will be June 30^th, most likely at the same beautiful venue as our season kickoff part last Friday in Asbury Park. Everyone loved the event space, perfect for our group, so we hope to be able to the annual meeting there as well. Stay tuned for more details but mark June 30^th in your calendars now.

A nice work this morning for Vibrant Spirit at Gulfstream (below). She returned from a brief layoff on the farm a few weeks ago and Ron Spatz says she’s really coming to hand now.

Seahawk Lisa will ship from Ocala to Jerry Hollendorfer at Santa Anita this week.

Start A Fire will ship from Ocala to Kelly Breen at Monmouth Park in about three weeks. At that point all our two year olds will be at the track in training for their career debuts.

Almost our entire California contingent worked on Sunday at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields (below). All doing well and pointing to races this month (except More Ice, pointing to a stake at Santa Anita June 2^nd). NOT shown in the listed works below (because they don’t record 2 furlong works) is the first work for group #52 two year old Preacher, but we DO have videos of Bullion’s super work today Preacher’s fine early work as he points towards his career debut this summer, take a look….

XBTV videos:
Bullion – Santa Anita – May 5, 2019
Preacher (inside)  - Santa Anita – May 5, 2019

Horse Workout Notification 
May 6, 2019
Vibrant Spirit (4-Year-Old Filly)
Your comments for this horse were: OBS MArch sale purchase
Date: May 6, 2019
Track: GULFSTREAM PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:31 Breezing
Track Condition: Good
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 9/14

Horse Workout Notification 
May 5, 2019
Annie's Candy (6-Year-Old Gelding)
Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse, claimed 10-28-18 at GGF
Date: May 5, 2019
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Five Furlongs
Time: 1.02:80 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt training
Rank: 1/6

Red Shelby (5-Year-Old Mare)
Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse, claimed 12-3-18
Date: May 5, 2019
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Five Furlongs
Time: 1.02:20 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt training
Rank: 6/22

Bullion (3-Year-Old Colt)
Your comments for this horse were: OBS March with Hollendorfer
Date: May 5, 2019
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:20 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt training
Rank: 2/18

Starring John Wain (3-Year-Old Colt)
Your comments for this horse were: Private purchase
Date: May 5, 2019
Track: GOLDEN GATE FIELDS
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:60 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: All Weather Track
Rank: 16/72

More Ice (3-Year-Old Colt)
Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse
Date: May 5, 2019
Track: GOLDEN GATE FIELDS
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:40 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: All Weather Track
Rank: 10/72

An exciting opening weekend at Monmouth Park, a Derby to remember, works for a lot of horses and more…

Almost our entire California contingent worked today at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields (below). All doing well and pointing to races this month (except More Ice, pointing to a stake at Santa Anita June 2^nd). NOT shown in the listed works below (because they don’t record 2 furlong works) is the first work for group #52 two year old Preacher, but we DO have videos of Bullion’s super work today Preacher’s fine early work as he points towards his career debut this summer, take a look….

XBTV videos:
Bullion – Santa Anita – May 5, 2019
Preacher (inside)  - Santa Anita – May 5, 2019

A little rain and cool weather didn’t deter morning training at Monmouth Park Friday!  Diamond Play, Life On the Edge (two year old Competitive Edge filly, group #50), Giuliana Vee (two year old Into Mischief filly, group #51), Shakin It Up colt (two year old colt, group #49) all galloped well.

A special Kenwood welcome to new owners Tom and Roberta Butler, who enjoyed morning training with our team, and then our kickoff party that evening. Roberta reported that they both did not require heart surgery after breakfast in the Monmouth track kitchen, so they must have entered with amazingly low cholesterol counts.

A super kickoff party, a large crowd of owners and friends enjoyed food, drinks, great  conversation and a review of racing-Kenwood questions and Derby handicapping and the introduction of our special group. Most of the shares were snapped up, the final two will be released tomorrow to other current owners and friends lists.

What can you say about the Kentucky Derby? The stewards made the right call according to the rules as written, but it’s really a sad state of affairs when the best horse by far is DQ’d. What a masterful training job by local top trainer Jason Servis nonetheless, NOTHING will take away the job he did with Maximum Security, a horse unknown a few months ago who won the race and has never been beaten.

Blue Eyed Beth good out of her excellent effort in race 8 at Gulfstream Park on May 2, finishing 2^nd, just holding off the 3^rd horse in a photo. It was her first try against winners and older horses and she did everything right. Broke sharply, made the lead, fought hard the entire way. The winner was taking a huge drop in class and simply was better than the field but Beth showed she’s very competitive at this level while picking up a nice purse.

Horse Workout Notification 
May 5, 2019
Annie's Candy (6-Year-Old Gelding)
Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse, claimed 10-28-18 at GGF
Date: May 5, 2019
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Five Furlongs
Time: 1.02:80 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt training
Rank: 1/6

Red Shelby (5-Year-Old Mare)
Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse, claimed 12-3-18
Date: May 5, 2019
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Five Furlongs
Time: 1.02:20 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt training
Rank: 6/22

Bullion (3-Year-Old Colt)
Your comments for this horse were: OBS March with Hollendorfer
Date: May 5, 2019
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:20 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt training
Rank: 2/18

Starring John Wain (3-Year-Old Colt)
Your comments for this horse were: Private purchase
Date: May 5, 2019
Track: GOLDEN GATE FIELDS
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:60 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: All Weather Track
Rank: 16/72

More Ice (3-Year-Old Colt)
Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse
Date: May 5, 2019
Track: GOLDEN GATE FIELDS
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:40 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: All Weather Track
Rank: 10/72

Another good result!

Blue Eyed Beth ran hard and well today in race 8 at Gulfstream Park, finishing 2^nd, just holding off the 3^rd horse in a photo. It was her first try against winners and older horses and she did everything right. Broke sharply, made the lead, fought hard the entire way. The winner was taking a huge drop in class and simply was better than the field but Beth showed she’s very competitive at this level while picking up a nice purse.

Exciting weekend ahead, our kickoff party is tomorrow, along with our first morning training session. Our Derby day and Monmouth Park opening day selections can be found here. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Here are videos from a couple of recent works at Santa Anita from Sunday:

Annie's Candy (inside)

Red Shelby

Last call for morning training at Monmouth Park, this Friday!  Diamond Play, Life On the Edge (two year old Competitive Edge filly, group #50), Giuliana Vee (two year old Into Mischief filly, group #51), Shakin It Up colt (two year old colt, group #49) all are expected to gallop. If you want to see them on the track, here’s your chance! All welcome but space limited; first come first served, so please reserve ASAP if you wish to attend and we’ll send you meeting time-details. Since it’s the first session of the season, we’re extending an invite to people on our “Kenwood Racing Friends” list to join us on a space available basis. If you want to meet our team, and get a ‘behind the scenes’ look at ownership, here’s your chance!

As usual, you can see up to date possible entries here.  Please note this is where you go to find out things like “what race, what time” etc. You can also find that information on Equibase. 

Horse Workout Notification 
April 29, 2019
Vibrant Spirit (4-Year-Old Filly)
Your comments for this horse were: OBS MArch sale purchase
Date: April 29, 2019
Track: GULFSTREAM PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 52:70 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 4/5

Horse Workout Notification 
April 28, 2019

Diamond Play (6-Year-Old Mare)
Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse
Date: April 28, 2019
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 47:40 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 2/60

Red Shelby (5-Year-Old Mare)
Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse, claimed 12-3-18
Date: April 28, 2019
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:00 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt training
Rank: 2/7

Annie's Candy (6-Year-Old Gelding)
Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse, claimed 10-28-18 at GGF
Date: April 28, 2019
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Five Furlongs
Time: 1.02:40 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 13/22

Another entry, work videos, Morning training, final call

Blue Eyed Beth runs tomorrow at Gulfstream Park, faces winners and older horses but doing really well.

Here are videos from a couple of recent works at Santa Anita from Sunday:

Annie's Candy (inside)

Red Shelby

Last call for morning training at Monmouth Park, this Friday!  Diamond Play, Life On the Edge (two year old Competitive Edge filly, group #50), Giuliana Vee (two year old Into Mischief filly, group #51), Shakin It Up colt (two year old colt, group #49) all are expected to gallop. If you want to see them on the track, here’s your chance! All welcome but space limited; first come first served, so please reserve ASAP if you wish to attend and we’ll send you meeting time-details. Since it’s the first session of the season, we’re extending an invite to people on our “Kenwood Racing Friends” list to join us on a space available basis. If you want to meet our team, and get a ‘behind the scenes’ look at ownership, here’s your chance!

Enjoy these photos of Bullion’s blowout win in race 3 at Santa Anita on Friday

Great win today you guys! Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/hA6bnFKJAe

— Ernie Belmonte (@ErnieBPhoto93) April 27, 2019

Bullion and Heriberto Figueroa score in race 3 @santaanitapark. (Order - #1/5/3/4) pic.twitter.com/ICEasaYYbZ

— SA Press Box (@SAPublicity) April 26, 2019

In case you missed seeing Bullion's big win, here is the Spanish language version:

Bullion and all the others who ran-worked so well last week are all doing great.

As usual, you can see up to date possible entries here.  Please note this is where you go to find out things like “what race, what time” etc. You can also find that information on Equibase. 

Horse Workout Notification 
April 29, 2019

Vibrant Spirit (4-Year-Old Filly)

Your comments for this horse were: OBS MArch sale purchase

Date: April 29, 2019
Track: GULFSTREAM PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 52:70 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 4/5

Horse Workout Notification 
April 28, 2019

Diamond Play (6-Year-Old Mare)

Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse

Date: April 28, 2019
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 47:40 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 2/60

Red Shelby (5-Year-Old Mare)

Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse, claimed 12-3-18

Date: April 28, 2019
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:00 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt training
Rank: 2/7

Annie's Candy (6-Year-Old Gelding)

Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse, claimed 10-28-18 at GGF

Date: April 28, 2019
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Five Furlongs
Time: 1.02:40 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 13/22

A lot of works today and yesterday to report (below). Diamond Play super quick at Monmouth Park, ready for her season debut now.  Easy work today for Vibrant Spirit at Gulfstream Park, doing nicely. Maintenance works for Red Shelby, Annie’s Candy in California as they approach their next starts.

More Ice excellent out of his close 3^rd in the California Derby on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.  Next stop likely the $150,000 Cinema Stakes at Santa Anita Park on grass June 2^nd.

Bullion doing fine out of his blowout maiden win by 9+ widening lengths in race 3 at Santa Anita on Friday. A hearty congratulations to all his owners! He’s a nice horse with heart, talent, pedigree and potential. Several people noted the ‘voided claim’ note on that official chart and asked about it. Briefly, it used to be a claim was a claim, you owned the horse after the race no matter what its physical condition. To discourage people from entering unsound horses in races looking to get them claimed many states, California the leader among them, instituted a rule whereby if a horse died on the track or was “vanned off” (taken off by van because they couldn’t walk off on their own power), the claim was voided. This was (at least in my personal opinion and that of most others who care about the welfare of racehorses), a very good thing. Since the spate of deaths at Santa Anita last winter, this has morphed into what most people consider total madness, i.e., when a horse shows up in test barn post race (as most horses and all horses claimed do) if they are deemed ‘off’ when they walk, the claim is voided. Not only is this subjective, it’s reached a point of being nuts, with Bullion perhaps being the poster child example of it. He won by 9+ lengths and galloped back to the winner’s circle in full stride, the race video speaks for itself. ANY athlete, human or equine, after a tough race walks ‘off’, i.e. a bit stiff compared to when they started (coincidently, I just read an article yesterday about how likely NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, as healthy a physical specimen as exists on the planet, stands in a bucket of ice the team has waiting for him after every game he plays to reduce soreness and swelling). In Bullion’s case, the horse was fine after the race, fine in our barn, and to quote Jerry Hollendorfer “you can tell the owners I’m glad to have him back. We knew he might be claimed and didn’t want to lose him, even less so the way he won. Tell them I’m going to get to win more races with him so it’s to our advantage”.  Of course anything can happen with any horse down the road, but suffice it to say neither Jerry nor Kenwood would sell the horse to anyone this morning for $50,000 (the claim price). Unsound horses don’t gallop off into the sunset, a widening 9 lengths ahead of the field folks. A LOT more could be written-said on this subject, and on horse welfare (there are many very important reforms desperately needed we among others have advocated for now for literally decades, we wrote a blog recently and will have others on that subject), but that’s a reasonably condensed answer to the question at hand.

Great win today you guys! Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/hA6bnFKJAe

— Ernie Belmonte (@ErnieBPhoto93) April 27, 2019

Bullion and Heriberto Figueroa score in race 3 @santaanitapark. (Order - #1/5/3/4) pic.twitter.com/ICEasaYYbZ

— SA Press Box (@SAPublicity) April 26, 2019

Starring John Wain, Magic Musketier, and Exchanging Ember good out of their races last week(end) also.  

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.  If you want to see them, our first morning training session for the season at Monmouth 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 (over 40 people have signed up) and opening day seating at Monmouth. Please RSVP if you haven’t already! Party will have Q&A on racing, Derby & Monmouth selections, and everyone who attends in person gets first shot at a very special opportunity!

Horse Workout Notification 
April 29, 2019

Vibrant Spirit (4-Year-Old Filly)

Your comments for this horse were: OBS MArch sale purchase

Date: April 29, 2019
Track: GULFSTREAM PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 52:70 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 4/5

Horse Workout Notification 
April 28, 2019

Diamond Play (6-Year-Old Mare)

Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse

Date: April 28, 2019
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 47:40 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 2/60

Red Shelby (5-Year-Old Mare)

Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse, claimed 12-3-18

Date: April 28, 2019
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:00 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt training
Rank: 2/7

Annie's Candy (6-Year-Old Gelding)

Your comments for this horse were: KRP Racehorse, claimed 10-28-18 at GGF

Date: April 28, 2019
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Five Furlongs
Time: 1.02:40 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 13/22

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.

Another BIG win!!!!

• Bullion draws away in the stretch to win by 9+ widening lengths , super impressive. Nice horse. Congrats to the group #40 owners. Two wins and a great 2^nd so far, already a stellar week, wow
• Diamond Play, Life On the Edge, Giuliana Vee, Shakin It Up colt have safely arrived at Monmouth Park. We are planning a morning training session for next Friday (a week from today), stay tuned for details.
• Last call for our season kickoff party and opening day seating at Monmouth Park, please let us know if you haven’t already and 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.
• What a super week, two wins and a 2^nd already, two more coming up!
• 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.
• 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.
• Great entry news too, as we have two horses in for Saturday. More Ice draws post #7 in a 9 horse field for the California Derby Saturday at Golden Gate Fields. Please let us know if you plan to attend and want assistance with seating-dining arrangements. A highly competitive race, as expected, but he’s ready for a big effort. And Magic Musketier gets in a nice allowance race, race 1 at Santa Anita Saturday, also a highly competitive spot but he also looks ready for a big race.

Updates on other horses:

• Blue Eyed Beth: she’s ready for anything we can find for her at Gulfstream Park. 
• Vibrant Spirit: Nice little work this week (below), heading towards a start next month at Gulfstream.
• Diamond Play: Shipped into Monmouth Park on Thursday with the rest of Kelly Breen’s Palm Meadows contingent. There’s an allowance race for her in the book at Monmouth May 18^th, Kelly thinks she’ll be ready to run if they put up an extra at Monmouth before that.
• Red Shelby: Race for her April 27^th at Golden Gate didn’t go, looking for a spot.
• Taima The Hawk: Looking to get him back in the entries.
• Run Macho Run: “Another work and hopefully we can look for a race for him”, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer
• Annie’s Candy: Good out of work at Santa Anita.
• Rapid Red & Night of Idiots: Expected to return from the farm shortly.
• Preacher: (group #52 two year old) Worked an easy ¼ mile last weekend, “he’s doing very well, no issues so far”, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer
• Seahawk Lisa: Doing well with Eddie Woods in Ocala and ready to ship to Jerry Hollendorfer in California shortly.
• Start A Fire: (group #47 two year old).  Doing well in Ocala at T-Square Stud, will ship to Monmouth Park in late May.
• Lisa Limon: IN foal and doing well in Lexington, Ky. at Hidden Brook Farm.

As usual, you can see up to date possible entries here.  Please note this is where you go to find out things like “what race, what time” etc. You can also find that information on Equibase.

Last call for our Monmouth Park season kickoff party is Friday, May 3^rd in Asbury Park. All welcome but space is limited and close to full now. Please RSVP if you would like to join us. We’ll have food, drinks, selections for Derby Day at Churchill and opening day at Monmouth Park. We’ll also have a Q&A session “Everything you wanted to know about thoroughbred ownership, but were afraid to ask!”, we’re inviting everyone (whether you are attending or not) to submit questions to us in advance of the event. We’ll try to read and answer as many as possible at the event and post some of the highlights on our website in a Blog as well. Don’t be shy, don’t hesitate! Email any and all questions you have about training, workouts, sales, breeding, claiming, race entries, the condition book, costs, safety, thoroughbred aftercare, legal structure, accounting and business operations, etc. to us. Tough, challenging questions, simple introductory questions, all questions are welcome and appreciated. Happy to mention your name with any questions submitted or let you remain anonymous, just tell us what you prefer. This is your chance to learn more about your horses and the thoroughbred game.

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.

Big week continues, another top effort!

Two in the books on our big racing week and another excellent effort today after Exchanging Ember’s huge win on Wednesday evening, as Starring John Wain steps 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.

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.

Great entry news too, as we have two horses in for Saturday to go along with Bullion on Friday in race 3 at Santa Anita. More Ice draws post #7 in a 9 horse field for the California Derby Saturday at Golden Gate Fields. Please let us know if you plan to attend and want assistance with seating-dining arrangements. A highly competitive race, as expected, but he’s ready for a big effort. And Magic Musketier gets in a nice allowance race, race 1 at Santa Anita Saturday, also a highly competitive spot but he also looks ready for a big race. That gives us five horses in four days at three different tracks, including the California Derby. A lot more to look forward to and the big week couldn’t have begun on a better note.

Updates on other horses:

Blue Eyed Beth: she’s ready for anything we can find for her at Gulfstream Park. 

Vibrant Spirit: Nice little work this week (below), heading towards a start next month at Gulfstream.

Diamond Play: Ships into Monmouth Park tomorrow (Thursday) with the rest of Kelly Breen’s Palm Meadows contingent. There’s an allowance race for her in the book at Monmouth May 18^th, Kelly thinks she’ll be ready to run if they put up an extra at Monmouth before that.

Red Shelby: Race for her April 27^th at Golden Gate didn’t go, looking for a spot.

Taima The Hawk: Looking to get him back in the entries.

Run Macho Run: “Another work and hopefully we can look for a race for him”, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer

Annie’s Candy: Good out of work at Santa Anita.

Kochees: good out of his 2^nd at Santa Anita. It was a realistic spot for this honest veteran horse. Off alertly, he was well back on the far turn and made a very strong, determined run to grab 2^nd in a photo while gaining on the winner. 

Rapid Red & Night of Idiots: Expected to return from the farm shortly.

Preacher: (group #52 two year old) Worked an easy ¼ mile last weekend, “he’s doing very well, no issues so far”, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer

Seahawk Lisa: Doing well with Eddie Woods in Ocala and ready to ship to Jerry Hollendorfer in California shortly.

Start A Fire: (group #47 two year old).  Doing well in Ocala at T-Square Stud, will ship to Monmouth Park in late May.

Life On the Edge (Competitive Edge filly, group #50), Giuliana Vee (Into Mischief filly, group #51), Shakin It Up colt (group #49): All are scheduled to ship up to Monmouth Park tomorrow and arrive Friday morning, all doing excellent. Kelly Breen is eager to get started with them at Monmouth.

Look for an announcement shortly: our first morning training session of the season at Monmouth is expected to be the end of next week.

Lisa Limon: IN foal and doing well in Lexington, Ky. at Hidden Brook Farm.

As usual, you can see up to date possible entries here.  Please note this is where you go to find out things like “what race, what time” etc. You can also find that information on Equibase.

Horse Workout Notification 
April 22, 2019

Vibrant Spirit (4-Year-Old Filly)

Your comments for this horse were: OBS MArch sale purchase

Date: April 22, 2019
Track: GULFSTREAM PARK
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 38:10 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt