It was a sentimental win Friday at Churchill Downs for Jon Lapczenski and JIL Stable's two-time graded stakes winner Mr. Wireless. Just days before his allowance victory, his co-owner/breeder John Kerber passed away at age 86.
Kerber, who died Nov. 5 in his native Iowa, was able to make one final trip to Keeneland in mid-October to see Mr. Wireless. Kerber co-owned and bred the 4-year-old Dialed In gelding with his wife, Iveta, and raced under the JIL Stable designation.
Mr. Wireless finished third in the Oct. 15 allowance race at the Lexington track but roared back Friday at Churchill for a close win as the 2-1 favorite.
With Deshawn Parker in the saddle, Mr. Wireless got his head down in front of pacesetter Here Mi Song and a fast-closing South Bend in the one-mile allowance event and returned $7.10. He improved his overall career line to 6-1-1 from 12 starts and earnings of $850,907. His record includes victories in the 2021 Indiana Derby (G3) and West Virginia Derby (G3) in back-to-back outings last summer.
“He was just a nice man who loved his horses,” trainer Bret Calhoun said of Kerber. “He'd been sick for a few years, and I think every time he'd have a horse run he'd seem to heal up. It was pretty amazing to see how his horses kept him going. A couple years ago we had some horses down at Oaklawn and one of his was running. His family had a hard time trying to even get him from Iowa down to Hot Springs. We wheeled him down to the apron to watch the race, and when we won I think he jumped out of that chair in the winner's circle and we could never get him back in it. I think we may have had a little divine intervention [Friday afternoon] to help Mr. Wireless get his nose down in front.”
Kerber managed Kerber Milling Company, along with his brother, Phil, who took over the business that was founded by their father, Fred, in 1922. The mill was later developed into a livestock feed company and was transformed to Hawkeye Sow System. According to his obituary, Kerber was able to watch the Breeders' Cup in the afternoon prior to his death.
Calhoun stated after Friday's race that Mr. Wireless, who was produced by the Arch mare Voussoir, is likely headed back to stakes company at the upcoming Fair Grounds meet.
The post ‘I Think We May Have Had A Little Divine Intervention’: Mr. Wireless Scores Sentimental Win At Churchill Downs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
