October was an up and down month for Kenwood Racing that began with lot of horses running off the board and ended with an impressive maiden win for Pink Cashmere and two other good in-the-money finishes. Overall, we had 1 win, 1 second, and 2 thirds from 11 starters for the month.

This was the first month since Steve DiMauro retired from training to take an executive position at Gulfstream Park. Most of our horses he had been training went to longtime friend and outstanding horseman Benjamin Perkins Jr., with a couple horses moving over to Mark Salvaggio’s barn at Penn National and the very promising filly Authentic Kitten going south with trainer Jane Cibelli to train in Florida for the winter. Several of our two year olds who had been given a little time at the farm this summer, including Story Spinner, Win Money My Honey and Wandagonenotastray all returned to training this month, with eyes upon debuts before year’s end.

Turning to racing for the month, nothing went right for Pink Cashmere on October 6th at Monmouth Park at The Meadowlands, when she was bumped badly at the start and was never really in the hunt, finishing 6th in her turf debut, against a very tough field of two year old fillies. It was not a great start to the month, but (see below) she made up for it in a big way in her next start. A couple of races later, Huamantla was a good 2nd at the Meadowlands in what would prove to be her final start before being retired to New Beginnings Thoroughbreds along with Silver Bouquet, where both fillies will be adopted out to safe, loving homes.

After a string of disappointing off-the-board finishes by Lead Investor, Bobby Blue Eyes, Three Arch Bay, Lady Tutu and Silver Bouquet in the middle of the month (not a good couple of weeks to say the least!), Nominal Dollars began to turn things around with a very game 3rd in a Belmont Park allowance event on October 21st. He was beaten just over two lengths for the win, in a highly competitive race, nosing out the heavy favorite (who had beaten him soundly in his last start) for 3rd money while posting a lifetime best Beyer (speed rating). 

Next up, was what looked like another disappointment for Pink Cashmere on October 28th at Laurel Park, but she managed to overcome a very tough trip and end up in the winner's circle. After bobbling badly at the break, she quickly dropped back to 8th in the early going and it appeared she would be hopelessly beaten. However, jockey Angel Cruz allowed her to settle and she began picking off horses on the far turn. Turning for home, she was four wide, then shied from another filly at the top of the stretch while going six wide, but despite turning her head, she still managed to grind down the leaders to win by ½ length in a four horse photo under an excellent, patient ride. The chart speaks for itself, she overcame much and displayed heart and talent, along with some obvious immaturity! Pink Cashmere had faced much better horses in her three previous starts, including male horses once. With patience and a little luck, her class showed and she got the win despite trouble. We think she’s going to be a nice New Jersey bred for us next year at Monmouth Park, which was the plan all along. We’ll give her one or two more starts this year, then a little time to mature mentally and physically at the farm, and have her ready when Monmouth opens next spring for some very generous New Jersey bred purses. Congratulations to trainer Benjamin Perkins Jr. and all the partners and group 31 co-owners! 

A little later that evening at Penn National, To Honor Stephanie took a nice step forward after two poor starts with a closing 3rd against lower level maidens. The class drop certainly helped, as did a little time and experience. Hopefully this will lead to a trip to the winner’s circle next time out.

This is a good place to note our previous blog on two year olds, which shows in 2015 there were 21,572 registered two year olds in North America. 8,105 (37.6%) made at least one start, 2,443 (11.4%) won at least one race and  258 (1.2%) were stakes winners. These stats change little year to year. Thus far from Kenwood Racing’s group of 9 two year olds we’ve had 5 starters (55%) and 2 winners (22%), far above these averages already and by year’s end, we’ll add to our out-performance. This game takes real patience and even then it’s tough sometimes! Over the last 6+ years 90%+ of all Kenwood's two year olds started and over 50% won, incredible stats! We keep our program affordable with groups of horses and one-time modest payments because it’s not easy to win races. With most two year olds it's a waiting game. If you can get them safely to the starting gate, get a race or two into them and have them mentally and physically sound going into their three year old season, you are doing your job. Many of the better horses are late developers, who given time and patience, will go on to better things as they mature if they are carefully handled early.