by NYRA Press Office | 05.28.2020 | 3:55pm

 

KILLYBEGS CAPTAIN GOT HIS START AT THE AIKEN TRAINING TRACK WITH CARY FROMMER

Trainer John Terranova will look to hit the ground running at the Belmont spring meet with Curragh Stables’ graded-stakes winner Killybegs Captain, who is pointed to the Grade 1, $250,000 Runhappy Carter Handicap, a seven-furlong sprint for 4-year-olds and upward on June 6. The Runhappy Carter Handicap offers a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

The 6-year-old Mizzen Mast horse, who made the grade in the Grade 3 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash in September at Laurel Park, boasts a record of 26-7-5-3 with purse earnings of $572,453.

Killybegs Captain, who traveled to Dubai to compete in the Golden Shaheen on the canceled Dubai World Cup card in March, last raced on February 15 when capturing the six-furlong Pelican at Tampa Bay Downs.

“He’s going to the Carter. He’s training phenomenal,” said Terranova. “We went all the way to Dubai and we were really confident going there. He came back in good order and has been training exceptionally well. We’re anxious to run him in the Carter.”

Eric Fein, Christopher McKenna, Harris Fein, Guri Singh, and Jerry Walia’s Dream Friend worked a half-mile in 51.76 Thursday on the Belmont Park inner turf.“He did fine this morning. We’re ready to run and I wanted a chance to get him on the grass. He’s ready to go,” said Terranova. “He went a half by himself. It’s his last work before he runs, so nothing too special. It was just a maintenance move.”

Terranova said the 5-year-old Ghostzapper chestnut is under consideration for the $80,000 First Defence, a seven-furlong turf sprint set for Sunday, June 7.

“He’s a good middle-distance turf runner,” said Terranova. “The seven-eighths off the layoff wouldn’t be inconceivable. He’s got plenty of speed. We’ll keep an eye on the weather.”

Gatsas Stables, R.A. Hill Stable and Swick Stable’s multiple stakes winner Funny Guy is under consideration for the $125,000 Commentator Handicap, a one-mile test for New York-breds 3-years-old and up.

“We’re going to look at that,” said Terranova regarding the Commentator. “He’s training great and we’re just looking for the spot. He’s eligible for an allowance race as well.”

Terranova also said New York-bred stakes-placed Three Jokers could be in line for the $100,000 Mike Lee, a seven-furlong sprint for New York-bred sophomores.

“He’s been ready to run and were looking at the Mike Lee coming back off the bench,” said Terranova.

Courtesy of the BloodHorse

The daughter of Twirling Candy was injured while playing coming off the track.

• By Byron King

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Courtesy of the BloodHorse

Double Crown defeats Green Light Go in the Roar Stakes at Gulfstream Park

Coglianese Photos/Lauren King

The Maryland-bred 3-year-old son of Bourbon Courage is now 2-for-3 – Started by Cary Frommer at the Aiken Training Track

• By Byron King

Double Crown  purchased privately by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing after a debut victory in September at Laurel Park, is running like money well spent.

Racing at Gulfstream Park May 16 in the $75,000 Roar Stakes, the 3-year-old Bourbon Courage  gelding picked up his first black-type victory in just his second start for his new connections. Taking command with a three-wide rally leaving the turn, he turned back a resolute favorite in Green Light Go to score by a half-length.

Double Crown, b, 3/g
Bourbon Courage — Two Columbus, by Two Punch

Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing
Breeder: Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Bowman & Rebecca Davis (MD)
Trainer: Katherine Ritvo
Jockey: Cristian A. Torres

Pedigree Notes
Bourbon Courage stands at Anchor & Hope Farm for $5,000 (2020).

Compared to his previous race at Gulfstream April 26, when Double Crown was wide and forced to steady to avoid a loose horse, his trip was relatively smooth in the Roar. Fourth of six down the backstretch, he was always within striking range of early leader Cajun Casanova as 3-5 choice Green Light Go pressed two wide through splits of :22.39 and :45.19.

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OXIDE (Golden Lad) made the most of opening up KY racing by winning on opening day at Churchill. He pressed the pace and then broke his maiden  by 5 1/2 lengths. OXIDE was pinhooked by Cary from a  $50,000 yearling purchase to a $120,000 2-year-old sale at Timonium last May. He is owned by Joe Sutton and trained by  Eddie Kenneally. The 3-year-old colt was bred by Dark Hollow Farm.

Mike Keogh was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in April 2020. Keogh began training horses for Gus Schickedanz in 1993 and trained horses at Aiken Training Track during the winter months. Keogh reflects on his career in this article, originally published in May 2020 in The 2020 Special. Read the complete article here.

Aiken Standard looks back at record-setting race horse, Whirlaway and Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Arcaro. During his time as a contract rider for Greentree Stables, Arcaro also rode Devil Diver and Shut Out to victory. Both horses were conditioned by legendary trainer John M. Gaver Sr. at the brand-new Aiken Training Track.

Read full article here.