September, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘This Sale Went Beyond Our Expectations’: Keeneland September Concludes With Records For Gross, Average, Median

Keeneland's September Yearling Sale ended its record run on Saturday with gross sales of $405,495,700, the highest in Keeneland auction history, and September Sale records for average ($142,429) and median ($70,000) prices.

Keeneland sold a total of 2,847 yearlings through the ring during the 12-day auction, held Sept. 12-24, for $405,495,700 to best the previous record of $399,791,800 set during the 2006 September Sale. This year's gross represents a 14.93 percent increase over $352,815,500 for 2,671 horses sold through the ring at last year's 11-day sale.

Cumulative average and median prices surpassed September Sale records established in 2021. Average price of $142,429 rose 7.83 percent over last year's $132,091, while the median was up 7.69 percent from $65,000 to $70,000.

Additionally, 114 horses that did not meet their reserve price in the ring were sold privately for a total of $12,725,500 to push total gross sales to $418,221,200 as of Sept. 24.

“This sale went beyond our expectations and reflects the energy and excitement in racing right now,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We are grateful to our consignors, sellers and buyers for their support of Keeneland and the September Sale. And a special thanks to the breeders. We appreciate how much hard work goes into breeding and raising quality horses, and we are very happy they were rewarded for their efforts through the ring.”

In addition to the record results, the unprecedented depth of the September Sale market and the diversity of its buying bench is reflected in the numbers:

88 different buyers each spent $1 million or more during the two-week sale.
30 yearlings sold for $1 million or more, the most since the 2007 September Sale and double the 15 sold in 2021.
The $2.5 million sale-topping Quality Road colt was the most expensive yearling in North America and the second most expensive yearling in the world sold at public auction this year.
The top 10 highest-priced horses sold to eight different buyers.
The top 15 highest-priced horses represented 13 different consignors.
162 horses sold for $500,000 or more during the sale compared to 138 in 2021, representing consignors large and small.
Demand for horses produced a record clearance rate of 82 percent.

“We are extremely happy with the way the sale went,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “We're very proud of having quality horses cataloged right to the end of the auction. For breeders, there's a lot more quality control in the system and we're at a point where supply and demand are pretty balanced. We are delighted for our clients and appreciate the support they've given us.”

Aidan O'Meara of Stonehaven Steadings, which sold 19 horses for $8,283,000 (including private sales), headlined by the sale-topping $2.5 million Quality Road colt purchased by Talla Racing, Woodford Racing and West Point, L.E.B., echoed comments about market strength.

“It's been a tremendous market,” O'Meara said. “We had a phenomenal run ourselves, but everybody across the board has had some seriously nice trading. It's a huge turnaround from a couple of years ago at the height of COVID and we were all fretting about what was going to unfold in that scenario. To see the turnaround in such a short period of time has been phenomenal.”

For the second consecutive year, the September Sale presented Books 1 and 2 on the first four days of the auction with more than 1,000 horses among the finest individuals based on pedigree and conformation in the catalog. The goal was to present the largest number of exceptional horses possible before major domestic and foreign buyers during Week 1.

“We listened to feedback from buyers and tried to structure the sale in a way that would enable them to see the top horses in the first few days, and they responded. Buyers showed up in droves from all over the world,” Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach said. “Growth on Day 1 was tremendous – no bigger day of growth from last year to this year than that first day of the sale.”

Day 1 grossed $57,095,000, up 48.99 percent from last year's first-day gross of $38,322,000.

The auction opened with immediate fireworks as Hip 1, a colt by Medaglia d'Oro, sold to the partnership of Talla and West Point for $850,000, the highest amount paid for Hip 1 in the September Sale since at least 1999. Seven hips later, the auction had its first seven-figure horse, a filly by Quality Road sold to Claiborne Farm, agent, for $1.2 million.

“The very first hip bringing $850,000 set the tone,” Lacy said. “That first day was incredible. We really leaned into getting Book 1 solidified by listening to our buyers and our clients. This was something we needed to reestablish to make sure we had the quality forward. It really worked. The buyers appreciated it. There was almost a sense of euphoria around the grounds for a number of days and it carried all the way through the sale.”

Gross sales of $113,660,000 for the two-day Book 1 represented a 25.42 percent increase over 2021's $90,622,000. Another sign of Book 1 strength came in the number of horses selling for $500,000 or more: 96 this year versus 43 last year. The two-day Book 1 clearance rate jumped from 65 percent in 2021 to 78 percent this year.

The bullish market continued through Week 2 of the sale, which included major Week 1 buyers such as Vinnie Viola's St. Elias Stable shopping into the final days; Viola bought session-topping yearlings on Days 10 and 11. Further strengthening Week 2 was the active participation of waves of international buyers representing such countries as Argentina, Azerbaijan, Chile, China, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mexico, Panama, and Saudi Arabia.

“It's an incredible market. The rate of sales is amazing,” said Pat Costello of Paramount Sales, which sold 136 horses for $20,448,500 (includes private sales to date). “Today (second Thursday) out back (rear bidding and viewing area) they're clamoring over the horses. They are people who got shut out in previous books. There is depth to the market. The top-end guys kept buying back into other books (beyond Books 1 and 2) and that has driven people back into these books (5 and 6). One of the things driving the market is the shortage of horses.”

In Books 4-6, the clearance rate never fell below 82 percent. During the ninth session on Wednesday, Sept. 21, a Keeneland record 329 horses sold through the ring in a single session.

“The catalog is only as good as the support the breeders give you,” Breathnach said. “It's a very strong crop of yearlings that has been bred locally and nationally. That's a credit to the breeders and sellers who presented them so well. And we were supported so well by the buying base domestically and internationally all the way through the sale. It shows the hunger for racehorses is there.”

“It's been a strong sale across the board, and it's amazing it has held up so well and above last year,” agreed Marc McLean of Crestwood Farm, which sold seven-figure horses for the first time, a Gun Runner colt and a Quality Road colt, each for $1.05 million. “There has been a good floor, which is nice for the horses that aren't the stars. It had great depth. That's a healthy market to me. We had quite a few standouts in each session. It's nice to have horses that are the more elite of the day. It's such a great feeling for us and the owners and breeders and the whole farm staff to have something that you feel will stand out. We're in Book 6, and we're busier than we ever dreamed we'd be.”

Keeneland's year-round outreach to horsemen across the U.S. and around the world produced a broad and deep buying bench with many principals and interests representing 24 countries participating this year.

“Our team has been traveling around the country and the world, visiting major racing jurisdictions and race meets to promote the September Sale heavily over the past year,” Lacy said. “We've been working very hard to expand our reach. For instance, 10 groups from Japan were here for the sale. That's the busiest they've been at a September Sale in a long, long time. That's the result of a lot of hard work by our team, and we're just getting started.”

Major domestic buyers, including a number of partnerships that have become prevalent in the industry, and many international entities were actively scouting racing prospects. Among the leading buyers were Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables; Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket; Donald and Donna Adam's Courtlandt Farm; Mike Ryan; Maverick Racing and Siena Farm; Richard Knight Bloodstoock; BSW/Crow Colts Group/Spendthrift/Gandharvi; Albaugh Family Stables; Larry Best; Jim and Dana Bernhard's Lynnhaven Racing; Winchell Thoroughbreds/Three Chimneys and Talla Racing/Woodford Racing/West Point.

Japan's Hideyuki Mori bought the half-brother to Triple Crown winner Justify for $1.2 million and the full brother to Kentucky Derby (G1) and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Authentic for $800,000.

A familiar name among Book 1 buyers was Shadwell, the global operation now under the leadership of Sheikha Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum.

“Keeneland sponsors races at Ascot that (President and CEO) Shannon Arvin attended. Tony (Lacy) was at the Curragh in Ireland,” Breathnach said. “Mark Maronde is about to leave for Australia to recruit for the November Breeding Stock Sale. Chip McGaughey and Kate Hunter were in Japan and Chip went on to South Korea. Kyle Wilson was in South America this summer. Ed Prosser and Dean Roethemeier were in the Middle East twice for the Dubai World Cup (G1) and other events this spring and in Saudi Arabia. Ed also works diligently across Europe.

“So it's a continuous process and it's very gratifying to see the results. We did benefit from more open borders than we had last year (with the easing of pandemic restrictions on travel). But we had a feeling early on we were going to get more international participation, and we worked to encourage them to come here.”

Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, led all consignors at the September Sale for the eight consecutive year and the 24^th year overall since 1988. Taylor Made sold 273 yearlings for $38,969,000, including three seven-figure colts by Constitution ($1.8 million), Quality Road ($1.15 million), and Into Mischief ($1 million).

Gainesway was second in total sales, followed by Paramount Sales, Lane's End Farm, Denali Stud, Eaton Sales, Woods Edge Farm, Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency and Machmer Hall Thoroughbreds.

Several consignors recorded their first million-dollar horses during the auction: Highgate Sales, the new operation of Jill Gordon and Jacob West, sold a $ 1.3 million Constitution colt during Session 2; Alex and Sarah Rankin's Upson Downs Farm sold a $1.35 million Into Mischief filly in Session 2 and sales for the aforementioned McLean family's Crestwood Farm were in Session 3.

“It's been remarkably strong from start to finish,” Highgate's Jill Gordon said. “When you have a horse that hits the mark, you're well exceeding expectations. Thankfully, most of our horses were able to meet the criteria and do well. The market has held incredibly well. The depth of the buying bench has been huge. Some of your bigger partnerships and major buyers are picking up quite a few horses but beneath them you are seeing a wide variety of buyers and they are spending lots of money and coming back for more. The energy has been sensational.”

For the third consecutive year, the sale's leading sire was Into Mischief, whose 58 yearlings – including eight horses purchased for $1 million and more – sold for $30,495,000 (includes private sales to date).

Offspring of Quality Road topped the first and fourth sessions, and for the second year in a row he was the leading sires by average price (with three or more yearlings sold) with 37 horses averaging $533,514 (including private sales to date). Quality Road's yearlings included seven million-dollar horses led by the aforementioned sale topper.

During Saturday's final session, 184 yearlings sold for $2,518,000, for an average of $13,685 and a median of $8,000.

The high seller was a filly by English Channel sold to Tracy Farmer for $115,000. Consigned by Buckland Sales (Zach Madden), she is a full sister to stakes winner and Grade 2-placed Ritzy A. P. Her dam is In Dy Ritz, by A.P. Indy.

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Record-Setting Keeneland September Sale Strong to the Finish

The Keeneland September Yearling Sale, which surpassed $400-million in gross sales for the first time in its history, concluded Saturday with new records, not just for turnover, but also for average and median and with 30 seven-figure yearlings doubling the number from the 2021 auction.

Keeneland sold a total of 2,847 yearlings through the ring for $405,495,700 during the 12-day auction, surpassing the previous record of $399,791,800 set during the 2006 September sale. The cumulative average and median prices surpassed September sale records set last year, with the average price of $142,429 up 7.83% from 2021 and the median up 7.69% from $65,000 to $70,000.

“This sale went beyond our expectations and reflects the energy and excitement in racing right now,” said Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. “We are grateful to our consignors, sellers and buyers for their support of Keeneland and the September sale. And a special thanks to the breeders. We appreciate how much hard work goes into breeding and raising quality horses, and we are very happy they were rewarded for their efforts through the ring.”

The Keeneland sales team was focused on starting off the September sale with a power-packed Book 1 and the elite section delivered right from the first hip through the ring.

“The very first hip bringing $850,000 set the tone,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “That first day was incredible. We really leaned into getting Book 1 solidified by listening to our buyers and our clients. This was something we needed to reestablish to make sure we had the quality forward. It really worked. The buyers appreciated it. There was almost a sense of euphoria around the grounds for a number of days and it carried all the way through the sale.”

The two-day Book 1 section produced gross sales of $113,660,000–a 25.42% increase over 2021–and included 96 horses who sold for $500,000 or more, up from 43 last year. The two-day Book 1 clearance rate jumped from 65% in 2021 to 78% this year.

Keeneland Director of Sales Operations' Cormac Breathnach credited the sales strong results to a quality group of horses and a diverse buying bench.

“The catalogue is only as good as the support the breeders give you,” Breathnach said. “And there was a very good crop of yearlings that has been bred here and nationally and that's a credit to the breeders and to the sellers who have presented them so well. We were really well supported. And also by the buying base, domestically and internationally, all the way through the book. If you look at the activity of the likes of St. Elias and several of our leading trainers in the last few days, it just shows the hunger for racehorses is there and we are proud of what we were able to present and very pleased with the results and happy for all of our clients.”

The 12-day September sale attracted a deep buying bench dominated largely by domestic buyers and, by the close of business Saturday, 88 different buyers had spent $1 million or more. The 30 million-dollar yearlings were purchased by nineteen different buying entities.

“If you look at the number of people who bought at that [million-dollar] level, the numbers are spread across quite a large number of buyers,” said Lacy. “In the past, we were very reliant on some of the bigger entities to support those million-dollar plus purchases. I think what you saw this year, and somewhat last year, was a broad buyer base that supported that level of the market. For us, that was extremely encouraging. There were some newer players, some very established people. But the diversity of the market was very encouraging.”

For the second year in a row, the partnership of Talla Racing, Woodford Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds made the biggest purchase of the September sale. The group, which purchased a $1.7-million son of City of Light to top the 2021 auction, was forced to $2.5 million to acquire a colt by that stallion's sire, Quality Road, to top the 2022 sale.

The sale-topper was consigned by Stonehaven Steadings, which sold 19 horses for $8,283,000.

“It's been a tremendous market,” Stonehaven Steading's Aidan O'Meara said. “We had a phenomenal run ourselves, but everybody across the board has had some seriously nice trading. It's a huge turnaround from a couple of years ago at the height of COVID and we were all fretting about what was going to unfold in that scenario. To see the turnaround in such a short period of time has been phenomenal.”

Repole, Viola Repeat as Leading Buyers

The partnership of Mike Repole's Repole Stable and Vinnie Viola's St. Elias Stable repeated as the September sale's leading buyer, with 31 yearlings purchased for $12,840,000, while Repole, who was seated in the pavilion for much of the first half of the sale, was, individually, the auction's fourth highest buyer, acquiring 27 yearlings for $7,940,000.

“With Mike Repole and Vinnie Viola, we bought a lot of horses and that was their game plan coming in,” said bloodstock agent Jacob West, who was active for the leading partnership as well as several other clients. “The plan was to really go after what we deemed quality and give ourselves a chance to win the big Saturday races. All in all, you sound like a broken record, but good horses always sell well. And that's what I saw in the market.”

Won't You Be My Partner?

Partnerships continued to play a major part in the marketplace, with the stallion-making team of SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables purchasing 21 yearlings for $12,825,000 to be the second leading buyers for the second straight year. Also in the market for potential future stallions, the BSW/Crow Colts Group teamed with Spendthrift and Gandharvi to buy 10 colts for $4,290,000.

“It's massive,” Lacy said of the impact partnerships have had on the market. “It's obviously a huge investment for anybody and any individual, so to spread that investment over a number of horses increases your opportunity to gain and be part of a good individual or a good program. We all enjoy sharing success and I think that's where people are starting to realize this is something that is actually fun. I think coming out of the pandemic, you see a lot more people who have an appreciation of the sport and want to be involved in it. It's a great way to let people in without the high-risk investment if they were doing it alone or in a small partnership. I think this is here to stay for quite a while. I am excited about what it can do for our industry in general over the next 10-20 years.”

Other major players to team up for the top 30 lots included Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys; Whisper Hill Farm and Three Chimneys; John Oxley, M.V. Magnier and Breeze Easy; Repole, St. Elias and West Point; and M.V. Magnier and Mike Repole.

“When you can diversify your portfolio and invest your money into multiple horses, you just give yourself a better chance to buy more quality products,” West said. “You give yourself a better chance of hitting a home run. People have realized the inherent risk that goes along with this game is very high. It's high risk, high reward, so if you can get involved in a partnership and diversify and lower your exposure, it makes all the more sense for people.”

Japanese Buyers Fight Exchange Rate

While facing a less favorable exchange rate than in previous years, Japanese buyers were still active at the Keeneland sale.

“There were 10 groups from Japan here for the sale,” Lacy said. “That's the busiest they've been at a September Sale in a long, long time.”

Hideyuki Mori led the way among Japanese buyers, joining the seven-figure parade with the $1.2-million purchase of a half-brother to Triple Crown winner Justify. Mori purchased five yearlings for a total of $2,545,000.

“We are very aware of the factors that are at play, with the currency exchanges being a major part of that,” Lacy said. “That was what was so encouraging that, even with the yen at a 35-year low against the dollar, Japanese buyers were very active. They probably couldn't swing as hard as they could have in a more favorable market for them, but they did see the value in what they were buying. And I think that's incredibly important. Our breeders here breed a high-quality horse that is very appealing to the international market. It just goes to show, when the currency exchanges start swinging back in their favor, I think the international markets will be even more prevalent.”

West Buying And Selling

West, along with Jill Gordon, had the first September consignment of his Highgate this year, allowing the prolific buyer to appreciate the other side of the auction ledger

“With Highgate now, I can see both sides of it,” West said. “And if I am being honest, there were some surprises, both good and bad. Some horses exceeded our expectations and then some horses didn't meet our expectations, but it seemed like the ones that exceeded our expectations really over-exceeded our expectations. So it seemed like, if you were deemed by the public as having a quality product, you got rewarded. Which is always good for the breeders.”

West said the September results reflect an overall positive attitude in the industry.

“I think, quite frankly, there is confidence in our business and in our industry,” West said. “Whether you want to say that's from the purse structures that we have or even what some of these stallion prospects have been selling for once they retire, or the money some of the top horses are making, or a little bit of it may be that people have some belief that we are playing on a more level playing field with HISA coming into play.”

West continued, “The other thing, too, that I don't think a lot of people give credit for, whether FOX Sports or TVG, I think we've done an incredible job of promoting our business. During COVID, we were the only show in town and I thought a lot of people were very interested. Every year it seems the handle keeps growing. There are still some bumps in the road, but overall, I think we have a quality product that appeals to a lot of people. There are new partnerships forming–it seems like whether it's West Point or Eclipse Thoroughbred or whatever syndicate group–they always seem stronger buying at the top end because they have more people investing with them. And I think a lot of that has to do with the marketing that TVG, and especially FOX Sports, have done with NYRA and Churchill and those type of tracks that they are covering.”

Demand Continues into Week Two

Demand continued into the second week of the 12-day auction, with leading buyers like St. Elias Stable, which purchased the top lots during the sale's 10th and 11th sessions, joined by international buyers from Argentina, Azerbaijan, Chile, China, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mexico, Panama and Saudi Arabia.

“It's an incredible market. The rate of sales is amazing,” said Pat Costello of Paramount Sales, which sold 136 horses for $20,448,500. “There is depth to the market. The top-end guys kept buying back into other books [beyond Books 1 and 2] and that has driven people back into these books [5 and 6]. One of the things driving the market is the shortage of horses.”

In Books 4-6, the clearance rate never fell below 82%. During the ninth session Wednesday, a Keeneland record 329 horses sold through the ring in a single session.

“It's been a strong sale across the board, and it's amazing it has held up so well and above last year,” said Marc McLean of Crestwood Farm, which sold seven-figure horses for the first time, a Gun Runner colt and a Quality Road colt, each for $1.05 million. “There has been a good floor, which is nice for the horses that aren't the stars. It had great depth. That's a healthy market to me. We had quite a few standouts in each session. It's nice to have horses that are the more elite of the day. It's such a great feeling for us and the owners and breeders and the whole farm staff to have something that you feel will stand out. We're in Book 6, and we're busier than we ever dreamed we'd be.”

Taylor Made on Top Again

Taylor Made Sales Agency led all consignors at the September sale for the eighth consecutive year and the 24th year since 1988. Taylor Made sold 273 yearlings for $38,969,000, including three seven-figure colts by Constitution ($1.8 million), Quality Road ($1.15 million) and Into Mischief ($1 million).

Gainesway was second in total sales, followed by Paramount Sales, Lane's End Farm, Denali Stud, Eaton Sales, Woods Edge Farm, Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency and Machmer Hall Thoroughbreds.

Lane's End Farm's Quality Road was responsible for seven of the 30 seven-figure yearlings and he was bettered in that category only by Spendthrift Farm's Into Mischief, who had eight. Three Chimneys' Gun Runner had five million-dollar yearlings, while Curlin had three. Justify, Constitution and City of Light each had two, while Tapit had one.

For the third straight year, Into Mischief was the leading sire by gross, with 58 yearlings selling for $30,495,000. Omaha Beach was the leading first-crop sire with 59 yearlings grossing $12,667,000 for an average of $214,695. He was followed in that category by Audible, who had 66 yearlings sell for $10,609,000 for an average of $160,742.

English Channel Filly Tops Keeneland Finale

A filly by English Channel (hip 4108) brought a final bid of $115,000 from Tracy Farmer to top the final session of the September sale Saturday. Bred by Calumet Farm and consigned by Buckland Sales, the yearling is out of In Dy Ritz (A.P. Indy) and is a full-sister to stakes winner and multiple graded placed Ritzy A. P.

In all, 184 yearlings sold Saturday for a gross of $2,518,000. The session average was $13,685 and the median was $8,000.

There was no corresponding session a year ago.

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DQ Elevates Mind Control To Repeat Win in Parx Dirt Mile

by Tom Law/Parx Racing

Mind Control needed a call from the stewards stand but successfully defended his title in the $200,000 Parx Dirt Mile to kick off the open stakes portion of the betPARX Pennsylvania Derby Day card Saturday at Parx Racing.

Second and a neck behind Far Mo Power at the finish, Mind Control and jockey John Velazquez were elevated to first because of interference in the stretch. Far Mo Power and jockey Dexter Haddock were placed second.

Mind Control won last year's Parx Dirt Mile with a similar prolonged stretch battle, prevailing at the finish by a head over Silver State for one of two victories on the season. He improved to 2-for-5 in 2022 with this year's Parx Dirt Mile for trainer Todd Pletcher and owners Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables.

Far No Power took the early initiative and led Mind Control into the first turn and to the backstretch, holding a half-length lead through splits of :24.06 and :47.54. Velazquez edged Mind Control closer around the far turn and they were just a head back through 6 furlongs in 1:11.50. Mind Control and Far Mo Power raced side-by-side into the lane, with the latter coming a few paths off the inside as the former took the lead.

Mind Control took the lead briefly in the lane before losing it again when brushed by Far Mo Power, who hit the finish in 1:36.59. Dontmesawithme, the second longest shot on the board at 30-1, finished 11 3/4 lengths back in third. New Commission, Derby House, Too Boss, and Milton the Monster completed the field.

Mind Control, a 6-year-old son of Stay Thirsty out of Feel That Fire, by Lightinin N Thunder, improved to 11-for-28 in his career and boosted his earnings to $1,773,334.

Winning assistant trainer Byron Hughes: “He's been a pleasure to train, such a fighter. You hook him up down the stretch and he's going to give you everything he's got. He's just fun to be around. I saw that second bump that he got there near the wire, he really lost his momentum. Just showing that he fought back and only got beat a little at the wire shows that he really did lose momentum.”

Winning jockey John Velazquez: I had a good trip until that moment at the top of the stretch. My horse is a fighter but when he came out and touched him, I was OK, but he got a little intimidated, but my horse got head and head with him again. Then I thought, 'I got him.' Then at the sixteenth pole he hit him back left-handed and he touched him, kind of got him off balance. That really got my horse intimidated and off balance and I couldn't get back on it. I came out running.

“I wanted to be at least 1-2 the first part of the race. I rode the race before and obviously the horse went to the lead real easy and I couldn't go by. So I said let me come out running, get a good position where I'm close to the lead.

“He's such a nice horse. He gives you everything whenever he can. When he gets in a good position and he's fighting, that's when he does his best.”

Trainer Louis Linder Jr. (Far Mo Power, second): “It was a great effort, and I expected the effort. I figured he'd show up and run big today. That's horse racing. It hurts, but we'll live to fight another day. From the minute this horse has been in the barn I knew he was special. The more distance, the better he was getting, so I was really pleased.”

Jockey Dexter Haddock (Far Mo Power, second): “He (Mind Control) was coming right. I don't know. My horse tried hard. I am sad. I get on him in the morning every day. I am sad for me; I am sad for the trainer. No, I don't agree with the decision.”

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‘She Gave Me A Great Kick’: Ortiz Brings Love And Thunder From Last To First In Athenia

Lightning finally struck for John D. Gunther and Tanya Gunther's Love And Thunder, who captured her first graded stakes win with a last-to-first move, storming down the stretch to collar pacesetter Evvie Jets in Saturday's $175,000 Athenia (G3) for fillies and mares going nine furlongs on the inner turf at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet.

The 45th edition of the Athenia saw Love And Thunder earn her first graded stakes victory in her 11th start for trainer Chad Brown, who successfully sought a record-extending seventh Athenia conquest as well as his third straight triumph in this race. Love And Thunder arrived off a pair of troubled third-place efforts in one mile turf stakes, rounding out the trifecta in Belmont Park's Perfect Sting on July 3 and the Fasig-Tipton De La Rose on August 7 at Saratoga.

“I want to thank the owners John and Tanya Gunther for their patience, they've always stuck with this filly and took some of the frustrating trips with a positive attitude and kept moving forward to get this filly a graded win. Their patience was rewarded today,” Brown said. “She's had several frustrating trips, this filly. She seems to find trouble. She was very deserving today to get up in time and get this great win because it's been more frustration than celebration exiting her races over the couple years we've had her. But to her credit, she's fired every time and she's always tried – she just hasn't had clear paths.

“Sometimes with turf racing and with particular turf horses and the way they run, you're going to get that,” Brown added. “With her, she's had it probably more than her fair share, so for her to overcome slow fractions and not get impeded today in a short field was really nice to see.”

After a slow break from post 3, Love And Thunder took to the rear of the five-horse field as three-time winner Evvie Jets set an even tempo into the first turn through an opening quarter mile in :24.35 over the firm turf. Tass, a 17-1 longshot, took to her outside in second while stakes-winner In a Hurry saved ground in third.

Positions remained unchanged as Evvie Jets led through a leisurely half-mile in :51.10 and three-quarters in 1:15.66 around the far turn. The Brown-trained Kalifornia Queen launched a three-wide bid in pursuit in upper stretch while Love And Thunder, still last at the quarter pole, was tipped a path wide under Jose Ortiz and came under a drive with her usual late kick. With Evvie Jets still to catch in deep stretch, Love And Thunder confronted her foe in the nick of time, winning by a neck in a final time of 1:50.07.

Evvie Jets finished another three lengths ahead of Kalifornia Queen, who picked up graded stakes black type for the fourth straight time, while making her first start in 11 months. Tass and In a Hurry completed the order of finish. Main track only entrant W W Fitzy was scratched.

Ortiz, who teamed up with Brown for previous Athenia scores aboard Pianist [2013] and Tapit Today [2020], admitted some concern in being forced to chase slow fractions.

“They went :24 and got away from me a little bit and then the second half they slowed it down a lot. I had my hands full down the backside until they picked it up again at the half-mile and I was able to drop my hands again,” Ortiz said. “She was cruising the whole way around there. By the three-eighths pole, I was following the other Chad [Kalifornia Queen]. I knew the pace was slow but she likes it better on the outside, so I went wide and she gave me a great kick.”

Brown expressed satisfaction in a third-place finish from Madaket Stables, Michael J. Caruso, Michael Dubb, and First Row Partners' Kalifornia Queen, who made her first start since finishing third in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor in October 2021 at Woodbine. He added that a start in the Grade 3, $300,000 Long Island on November 25 at Aqueduct could be in her future.

“I entered her about two breezes short of where I wanted her off the layoff but we're running out of time in the turf season,” Brown said. “So, I told the ownership group I'd run her a little bit short and hopefully hit the board is the best she can do and use the race as her last piece of fitness. She did exactly what I thought she would do.”

Brown said he will take some time to consider a next start for Love And Thunder, an Irish-bred 5-year-old daughter of Siyouni.

Returning $4 as the odds-on post time favorite, Love And Thunder banked $96,250 in victory, bringing her lifetime earnings up to $340,591 through a consistent 15-4-5-3 record. Her only off-the-board stateside effort was in last year's Grade 3 Noble Damsel at Belmont Park, when fifth.

Bred by Papillon Stables Sarl, Love And Thunder is out of the unraced Medaglia d'Oro mare Pretty Pink, who is out of graded stakes winner Take the Ribbon.

The post ‘She Gave Me A Great Kick’: Ortiz Brings Love And Thunder From Last To First In Athenia appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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