|
|
Macho Again First in Stephen Foster Handicap - 06-15-09
June 15 - Going into the Stephen Foster Handicap (Gr 1) at Churchill Downs in Kentucky on Saturday, Einstein was the big favorite, but it was 4-year-old colt Macho Again who won the 1 1/8 mile race with champion jockey Robby Albarado aboard, who chalked up his third consecutive win in the dirt race.
Asiatic Boy finished second while Einstein - who had an unlucky trip - finished third out of the 8-horse field. Reminiscent of Mine That Bird's run in the Kentucky Derby a few weeks ago at this venue, Macho Again rallied from last place to come galloping down the straight to cross the line a length clear of Asiatic Boy.
Macho Boy had a smooth and controlled run under the guidance of his experienced rider, compared to that of Julien Leparoux aboard Einstein, a 7-year-old vying for his first win on dirt. Coming out of he far turn, Einstein got himself trapped alongside Asiatic Boy, giving Macho Again the space and time he needed.
By the time Leparoux managed to free Einstein, Macho Again had built up a big enough lead to guarantee himself victory. And, to make matters worse for Einstein, just when it looked like he had second place sewn up, he was trumped by a nose on the line by Asiatic Boy, dashing his chances of winning his third straight race.
Said a visibly disappointed Leparoux after the race, 'They were all next to me. They knew I was on the horse to beat, so of course they were going to try to beat me like that. I had nowhere to go and I just had to wait it out. When Einstein finally got room at the eighth pole, he managed to finish strong.'
One man who was anything but disappointed after the race was Dallas Stewart, trainer of the 4-year-old Macho Again. 'He's a great horse. We had a great rider, and we put it all together today,' said Stewart, who is based at Churchill Downs. 'He proved himself today on a dry track at Churchill and he got the money.'
Saturday's win gave Macho Again his 5th career victory out of 17 starts. His previous wins include the $100,000 Derby Trial Stakes (Gr 3), the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (Gr 2), and the $500,000 New Orleans Handicap. The colt paid $17.40 and won the first place purse of $396,924, boosting his total career earnings up to $1,475,247.
Other Articles:
Churchill Downs Sees the Night Light - 06-19-09Friday Betting Guide for Fairview Racing - 06-18-09Vision Could Come True in Prince of Wales Stakes - 06-17-09David Payne Stable in Winning Form - 06-17-09Top Aussies Horses Set for Dubai Racing Season - 06-14-09Heated Battle Expected in Californian Stakes - 06-13-09Pocket Power Can Finally Win Gold Challenge - 06-12-09Rumors Regarding Magic Millions Venue - 06-11-09
|
|
|
 |
Digiturf - Train and race your own horses |
|
|
|
| | 2009/11/20 11:35:18 AM |
|
