Kitodan, who most recently scored a 20-1 upset in the Grade 3 Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs, will be entered in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland on Saturday, Nov. 5, trainer Eric Foster confirmed.
A 3-year-old Point of Entry colt, Kitodan has been an outstanding claim for Foster, who plucked the horse out of a Churchill Downs allowance optional claiming race on May 15 for $80,000, for new owners Foster Family Racing, Douglas Miller, and William Wargel.
Three weeks later, Kitodan won the Audubon Stakes at Churchill Downs at odds of 40-1 in his first start under the Foster shedrow. He has since finished fourth in the American Derby on July 2 at Churchill Downs, and fifth in listed Evan Williams Turf Mile Stakes on Aug. 7 at Ellis Park.
In the 1 5/16-mile Dueling Grounds Derby, Kitodan was held in between rivals through the turn by jockey Gerardo Corrales, then angled out at the quarter pole and closed hard down the long Kentucky Downs stretch to draw away by four lengths.
In total, Kitodan has won five of 16 career starts for earnings of $779,641. The Dueling Grounds Derby was his first graded stakes victory.
Prior to the claim, Kitodan was owned by Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher, and he was trained by Mike Maker. He was entered for the tag in start following a victory in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park.
Foster acknowledged that his charge would be a longshot in the Breeders' Cup Turf, but having a horse in good form when the Breeders' Cup is on his home circuit was an opportunity too good to pass up.
“We won't know if he's a good fit or not until after the race,” Foster said. “I think with us, it's just maybe an opportunity of a lifetime. We don't take anything for granted, just thankful for the chance to compete.”
Kitodan was bred in Kentucky by Flaxman Holdings Limited, out of the A.P. Indy mare Divine Presence.
The post ‘An Opportunity Of A Lifetime’: Dueling Grounds Derby Winner Kitodan Pointing Toward Breeders’ Cup Turf appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
