A good ending to August for Kenwood Racing, with 1 win, 1 second, 2 thirds and 2 fourths from 6 starts, just in the last two weeks. For August, we had 2 wins and 7 in-the-money finishes from our 13 starters.

August 19th saw an impressive and promising debut for Bobby Blue Eyes at Gulfstream Park. He broke well and then proceeded to drop back like a stone to be second to last, 12+ lengths back. This is typical of a first time starter who had no idea what he was doing. Just when it looked like he was going to be distanced, the light went on and he commenced a huge run on the far turn, going from far outside to the inside in the stretch to finally finish a closing 3rd. He looks like he clearly wants more distance than 5 furlongs. The race was run in a very fast time for the level and he was closing with every stride. Recall this horse started out crabby and showing no ability or interest in his training. Each work however was better than the last so we expected a decent effort here and we got it.

The next day, August 20th began on a good note in morning training at Monmouth Park, where all the horses trained well. Then, came two excellent races at Delaware Park, with 16 Kenwood partners and co-owners braving the traffic from NJ and Pa. to enjoy an impressive win by Silver Bouquet, followed two races later by an excellent debut 3rd by High Five Cotton.

Silver Bouquet came into her race off two very dull efforts, since we claimed her this spring. Trainer Steve DiMauro knows the filly well, having trained her previously, and his patience paid big rewards as she was on the bit from the start and overcame a tough trip, which saw her eight wide at the rear of the pack turning for home, to mow down the entire field and win going away. Kudos to Steve and his crew for a fine turnaround here! It was much appreciated by the happy crowd in the winner’s circle, who all cashed some nice tickets too at generous 14 to 1 odds.

Next up was the much anticipated debut of High Five Cotton, who has trained exceptionally well ever since his purchase at OBS this spring. Bet down to 5 to 1 odds off his 8 to 1 morning line despite, excellent works, which showed the quality of this field, he saddled like a veteran, never turning a hair. Cotton broke perfectly, battled hard for the lead in a very fast time and kept battling to the end, finishing a very good third, beaten by an exceptionally talented Union Rags colt (owned and bred by the owners of Barbaro), who looks like a sure stakes horse, and another Monmouth Park-based horse, who had the benefit of a race under his belt and was working blazingly fast for this one. It was nine lengths back to the rest of the field, so the first three really separated themselves in a race run in fast time, 1:10.78, for any two year old let alone two year old maidens. We are very high on this horse and his debut today did nothing to diminish our confidence in him.

The only down news of the day was that Lead Investor did not draw in off the also eligible list at Monmouth Park and thus did not get to run. The horse is doing well and hopefully there will be another race for him soon.

Then, on August 26th, coming back on 9 days rest, Huamantla kept the good times rolling, with a strong closing 2nd at Penn National. Well back early, she saved ground and closed stoutly to just get up for 2nd in the final strides. She’s had some hard luck this year with races rained off the turf when she was in winning spots, but she tries hard and usually gives a good account of herself when in the right spot. Note her running time when a close 4th on August 17th was the same (actually a hair faster), than when a close 2nd (ran a winning race, beaten a neck when bumped and blocked) on July 9th. The difference? She was 4th for $13,000 claiming and 2nd for $6,000 claiming, just as she was 2nd August 26th at a similar ($7,000) level. The level of the race really matters, folks. That’s why we always say “keep yourself in the best company and your horses in the worst company”.

Finally on August 28th, Pink Cashmere ran at Monmouth Park and it was a huge improvement over her debut, when she had trouble at the break, was shuffled back to last and never ran a step. This time, she broke like a shot and went right to the lead against male runners and held it to the stretch. After being passed by the two favorites (who look like nice colts), she battled hard to finally end up 4th, beaten in a photo for 3rd. It was a good effort, she showed the speed she had shown in previous workouts and hung in gamely throughout. If she had run poorly a 2nd time we’d have been really worried (and puzzled as she’s trained very well). Off this effort, she’ll be tough to beat against fillies next time, with a race scheduled closing weekend at Monmouth.

We have three horses entered at Monmouth for Friday, September 2nd to start off a new month and a very big holiday weekend. Wandagonenotastray and To Honor Stephanie making their debuts as an entry and Long May You Run shipping in from Penn National, to run for the first time in his career at Monmouth. Our two year olds are all getting to the races just as expected. Lead Investor is ready and we’re looking for a race for him, and Lady TuTu (the 3YO filly we privately purchased last month) is ready for her debut at Monmouth as well.

We have no less than 6 possible entries for horses for the Labor Day weekend in NY, NJ, Delaware, Pa., and Florida, so a lot of action is on tap. See our website for the all the details.

Happy to report Story Spinner is back in training! He arrived at Steve DiMauro’s barn at Monmouth the morning of August 28th, rested, sound, and ready to get going. Looks like the time off really helped, he’s much more relaxed and physically mature than he was out of the sale this spring.

It’s been every bit as good a summer as we have hoped and predicted so far, with outstanding winning and in-the-money percentages and wins all over the east coast. We hope and think there’s a lot more good times ahead as more of our two year olds reach the starting gate and our older horses continue to race from NY to Florida. Thanks to all our partners and co-owners for your support! Enjoy these great days and remember, it’s never as easy as it seems when you are winning and never as tough as it seems when you are losing. It’s a game of streaks for all, ups and downs. The people who stay in this tough, but thrilling business learn to handle the lows and revel in the highs.

Here also are some videos of our horses in training at Monmouth Park and at Saratoga Race Track. Enjoy!