Another busy week began well enough, with a good closing 2^nd for Boardwalk Run at Penn National on September 9^th, the 8^th straight in-the-money finish for this ultra consistent filly. But September 11^th was a disappointment, beginning with Title Fight at Gulfstream Park, who was running in a good, competitive spot. He broke nicely and rated comfortably, made a move on the far turn to gain contention, while caught a little wide. He ended up finishing 5^th, beaten just a neck for 3^rd and a length for 2^nd. He was closing well at the finish and at a little longer distance, would clearly have hit the board. This is the right level for him. He tried hard and ran well and should be competitive in these kind of races all fall, but it was tough to finish 5^th when beaten about 1 length for 2^nd.

Then, at Penn National, Big Apple Brit ran an odd race, when 5^th and last in a small field. Broke sharply, was in 2^nd early (which is very unusual for this deep closer), dropped back to last, and then rallied a little in the stretch to miss being a well beaten 3^rd by ½ length, in a blanket finish with the other two trailers. After being a model of consistency for us for a long time, this was his 2^nd straight out of the money finish. We’ll see if a little time and shortening up in distance helps next time.

The week ended on Sunday September 13^th, with two big races that did not give us the results we were looking for, but were not a total washout either, First up at Parx, Long May You Run got the surface he wanted, as his race came off the grass and was reduced to just 4 horses for an incredible purse of $90,000 & 20% bonus for him as a Pennsylvania-bred. To be fair, all three of the horses he faced were top class, stakes quality runners, so it was still a stern test, but a shot a huge $. After battling hard between horses for the lead, he tired to finish 3^rd. It was not a bad effort at all, but with an outside post where he could sit just off the pace, the result could have been even better. The good news is he did pick up over $11,000 in purse money and came out of the race good. If all goes well there’s a Pennsylvania-bred race at Parx in 9 days for a $70,000 purse, where off this one he’d be one tough customer. Recall he ran perhaps the best race of his career last year in his win off just a 7 day layoff, so this one is doable.

The real disappointment of the day came with Huamantla at Monmouth Park, when the rider simply didn’t follow instructions. Instead of taking her back behind horses for a late run (as Joe Bravo did to perfection when she won for us 1^st time off the claim, and no, we couldn’t ride him again since he was out of town), he let her run early and she simply had nothing left in the stretch, finishing 6^th in a race she could easily have won. This filly requires a very specific type of ride, she’s not the usual, but given the right set up is very consistent. Rarely do you read any criticism here of jockeys who have a split second to make game-changing decisions on 1100 pound animals, but this was just a plain example of a poor ride from start to finish.

Next week will be yet another BIG week for us, with both our New York-breds running Wednesday, as an entry at Belmont Park, and three horses running Thursday at Penn National for starters. Best of luck to Awesome Papa Al and Sky Ace at Belmont Park and Fuego Mi Amor (ready to break her maiden!), This Quay Home and PJ’s Enigma at Penn National. We expect Mackinaw Pharoah and Hardrainsgonnafall to make their debuts at Monmouth Park the following week.

We’ll end with a little perspective on sales and sale prices. Kenwood Racing President Jack Czajkowski noted in a recent email, a horse who ran at Monmouth Park this weekend, named Cloudy River that sold at the OBS April 2014 sale for $110,000.  Our team looked at him at the sale. He was hip 820, worked a fast 10.1 in the under tack show.  He did not make our final cut, after we looked at him a second time. Jack points out that after a few decent races early in his career, he has been dropped down the claiming ladder, to where he was running at Monmouth for a $10,000 claiming tag and a $18,000 purse.  His earnings to date are $64,100.  As Jack stated  “if that horse had been bought for $40,000, the original owners would at least be close to a break even point (counting training bills, etc.) had they kept him.. At this point, barring an incredible turn around, he will never get close to earning the $110,000 paid for him at the auction.  Just another example that stepping up in purchase class is no guarantee of success

Along those lines, I recalled a Rockport Harbor colt we all loved a couple of years ago at OBS, top of our buy list. I clearly remember two co-owners with us at the sale practically begging us to buy the horse. They fell in love with him. We went to $70,000 and he sold for $85,000. We didn’t pay that because we didn’t feel he was worth the risk at that level. To date, almost age 4 now, he has yet to run a single race. As trainer Steve DiMauro & I like to say, it’s a long way down the elevator when you pay $75,000- $100,000 for a horse. Statistics show that of the top horses picked out by super capable people, you get one or two real nice horses, 4 or 5 decent break even ones, and 3 or 4 that are close to worthless. If you pay $40,000 for a horse that turns out to be a $5,000 claimer you probably can pay the bills and end up losing $30,000. If you pay $100,000 for the same horse because you fall in love with him, it’s more like a $95,000 loss. Yes, there are times it’s worth paying top $ (within reason), but they are few and far between!

On that note, we look forward to another exciting week as our great summer of racing continues!

Another great week for Kenwood runners, which began with another win at Delaware Park on September 2nd. Freshened up off a fine effort on July 10th (finished 2nd, placed 1st), Titanium Jo came into the feature allowance event at Delaware Park sharp and ready and did not disappoint. She stalked the early leaders near the back of the pack for most of the race, making a sweeping move on the far turn to gain contention, and drawing away inside the 16th pole to win by nearly 2 lengths. Her third career victory in the $36,000 feature race pushed her purse earnings over $90,000 and gave Kenwood a great start to the final month of what has been a super summer season.  Jockey Gabriel Saez, who was aboard first time starter JW Racer for an impressive win the previous week at Delaware Park, came up with another solid ride and sent a happy group of Kenwood owners into the winner's circle for the 2nd Wednesday in a row. Kudos to trainer Steve DiMauro for a fine training job with this nice filly. We did right by her by giving her a little time off after her last race and she did right by us with another impressive win!  When you treat them like living beings instead of like machines, your patience is usually well rewarded. The next start for Titanium Jo is expected to be in one of two $150,000 stakes events at Parx on either October 3rd or October 10th.

Friday September 4th featured a solid 3^rd by the hard-trying Video Mov at Monmouth Park, followed by a going away 8 length win for PJ’s Enigma at Penn National, her first win for Kenwood after a number of disappointing races. Video Mov is as solid a runner as you can ask for. Having claimed him back for just $12,500 and now had a close 4^th for $25,000 and a decent 3^rd for $20,000, he’s obviously worth the $ we paid and we’re in the driver’s seat with him. A slight drop in class and he should get the job done next time. As for PJ, she does have ability and is capable of winning races for us, as she proved with her win, albeit against a few overmatched runners (keep yourself in the best company and your horses in the worst company, remember!?).

Looks like an allowance race is on tap at Parx for either September 13th or 22^nd for Long May You Run, as the Banjo Picker Stakes was not used at Parx. He's doing great and is ready for a top effort.

Another excellent workout for Title Fight at Gulfstream Park this week, best work of the day all under wraps. We are just looking for somewhere to run him after two races failed to go. 

A fine morning of training for all our two year olds at Monmouth Park on Saturday, September 5th. It looks like five of the two year olds are right on target to run this month or early October. For some updated possible debut dates for them, take a look at our Entries page…

Kenwood Racing ends the week with 15 wins for 2015, and with the 3^rd and two big wins this week is exactly 50% in-the-money for the year. 

Good to hear that American Pharoah is still pointing for the Breeder's Cup, after a very game 2nd in the Travers at Saratoga. If all the horses pointing for the Breeders Cup Classic make it to the race, it will go down as one of the greatest showdowns of modern times!

Another great week for Kenwood runners which began with another win at Delaware Park on September 2nd. Freshened up off a fine effort on July 10th (finished 2nd, placed 1st), Titanium Jo came into the feature allowance event at Delaware Park sharp and ready and did not disappoint, stalking the early leaders near the back of the pack for most of the race, making a sweeping move on the far turn to gain contention, and drawing away inside the 16th pole to win by nearly 2 lengths. Her third career victory in the $36,000 feature race pushed her purse earnings over $90,000 and gave Kenwood a great start to the final month of what has been a super summer season.  Jockey Gabriel Saez, who was aboard first time starter JW Racer for an impressive win the previous week at Delaware, came up with another solid ride and sent a happy group of Kenwood owners into the winner's circle for the 2nd Wednesday in a row. Kudos to trainer Steve DiMauro for a fine training job with this nice filly, we did right by her by giving her a little time off after her last race and she did right by us with another impressive win!  When you treat them like living beings instead of like machines, your patience is usually well rewarded. The next start for Titanium Jo is expected to be in one of two $150,000 stakes events at Parx on October 3rd or October 10th.

Friday September 4th featured a solid 3^rd by the hard trying Video Mov at Monmouth, followed by a going away 8 length win for PJ’s Enigma at Penn, her first win for Kenwood after a number of disappointing races.  Video Mov is as solid a runner as you can ask for. Having claimed him back for just $12,500 and now had a close 4^th for $25,000 and a decent 3^rd for $20,000, he’s obviously worth the $ we paid and we’re in the driver’s seat with him. A slight drop in class and he should get the job done next time. As for PJ, she does have ability and is capable of winning races for us, as she proved with her win, albeit against a few overmatched runners (keep yourself in the best company and your horses in the worst company, remember!?).

Looks like an allowance race is on tap at Parx Sept. 13 or 22^nd for Long May You Run as the Banjo Picker Stakes was not used at Parx, he's doing super and is ready for a top effort.

Another excellent workout for Title Fight at Gulfstream Park this week, best work of the day all under wraps, we are just looking for somewhere to run him after two races failed to go. 

A fine morning of training for all our two year olds at Monmouth on Saturday Sept 5th and it looks like five two year olds are right on target to run this month or early October. For some updated possible debut dates for them, take a look at our Entries page…

Kenwood ends the week with 15 wins for 2015, and with the 3^rd and two big wins this week is exactly 50% in-the-money for the year. 

Good to hear that American Pharoah is still pointing for the Breeder's Cup after a verty game 2nd in the Travers at Saratoga. If all the horses pointing for the Breeders Cup Classic make it to the race, it will go down as one of the greatest showdowns of modern times!

Another great week for Kenwood runners which began with another win at Delaware Park on September 2nd. Freshened up off a fine effort on July 10th (finished 2nd, placed 1st), Titanium Jo came into the feature allowance event at Delaware Park sharp and ready and did not disappoint, stalking the early leaders near the back of the pack for most of the race, making a sweeping move on the far turn to gain contention, and drawing away inside the 16th pole to win by nearly 2 lengths. Her third career victory in the $36,000 feature race pushed her purse earnings over $90,000 and gave Kenwood a great start to the final month of what has been a super summer season.  Jockey Gabriel Saez, who was aboard first time starter JW Racer for an impressive win the previous week at Delaware, came up with another solid ride and sent a happy group of Kenwood owners into the winner's circle for the 2nd Wednesday in a row. Kudos to trainer Steve DiMauro for a fine training job with this nice filly, we did right by her by giving her a little time off after her last race and she did right by us with another impressive win!  When you treat them like living beings instead of like machines, your patience is usually well rewarded.

Friday September 4th featured a solid 3^rd by the hard trying Video Mov at Monmouth, followed by a going away 8 length win for PJ’s Enigma at Penn, her first win for Kenwood after a number of disappointing races.  Video Mov is as solid a runner as you can ask for. Having claimed him back for just $12,500 and now had a close 4^th for $25,000 and a decent 3^rd for $20,000, he’s obviously worth the $ we paid and we’re in the driver’s seat with him. A slight drop in class and he should get the job done next time. As for PJ, she does have ability and is capable of winning races for us, as she proved with her win, albeit against a few overmatched runners (keep yourself in the best company and your horses in the worst company, remember!?).

Looks like an allowance race at Parx Sept. 13 or 22^nd for Long May You Run as the Banjo Picker Stakes was not used at Parx, he's doing super and is ready for a top effort.

Another excellent workout for Title Fight at Gulfstream Park this week, best work of the day all under wraps, we are just looking for somewhere to run him after two races failed to go. 

A fine morning of training for all our two year olds at Monmouth on Saturday Sept 5th and it looks like five two year olds are right on target to run this month or early October. For some updated possible debut dates for them, take a look at our Entries page…

Kenwood ends the week with 15 wins for 2015, and with the 3^rd and two big wins this week is exactly 50% in-the-money for the year. 

A busy and exciting week ends another good month for Kenwood Racing!  Overall for August, our runners made a total of 17 starts with three wins, four seconds and two thirds. The stable was profitable for August and is cash flow positive for 2015 to date, with a big September on tap. Our thanks go out to all our partners and our 70+ co-owners for their support.

JW Racer lived up to his name and started our week off right, by racing to an impressive maiden win, in his career debut at Delaware Park on August 26th. Braking a ¼ step slowly, he was in front in a couple of strides,  just ahead of another horse, in a fast pace in the early going. When he was hooked at the head of the stretch by two runners, he got the acid test and responded gamely, when jockey Gabriel Saez asked him for his best, drawing away in the stretch to win by over two lengths, going away at the wire while under wraps.  Congratulations to all the Kenwood partners and the 15 co-owners of sold out group 22, with a very special shout out to co-owners Lorraine & Mike Mann, who named him for their grandchildren, and Ray Ryan, who waited many years to be able to become a thoroughbred owner and is a winner with his very first starter. After starting out as probably our least promising horse early on, JW Racer had shown real improvement in each of his last few workouts. These are babies who need time to develop, and we give them just that. The ones who work the fastest in the beginning (or at the sales where we purchase them) rarely end up to be the best horses. Congratulations to trainer Steve DiMauro, who this year for us so far with our two year crop has had two starters, and two wins first time out (JW Racer and Title Fight). Note this is a trainer who some very mis-leading ‘stats’ said was not good with two year olds (see our Blog post from last month). 

On August 27th at Penn National, Big Apple Brit turned in a rare off race, when a dull 6th with no real excuse. This horse is incredibly consistent, so he's entitled to one bad day. A few hours later, also at Penn National, Fuego Mi Amor ran the best race of her young career, a flying 2nd in a bottom level maiden race, after appearing hopelessly beaten turning for home. She was 4 lengths back inside the 16th pole, but took off in the final strides just as the leader began to stop suddenly, the result being a photo finish so close it took 10 minutes to determine the winner. Hard race to lose, but a big effort that sets her up for a win next time.

August 28th was another busy and exciting night at Penn National, with two horses running in back to back races. First up was Boardwalk Run, who as usual was well back early, commenced a very nice run on the far turn and ended up a closing 3^rd, just 1 length behind the winner. The pace was exceptionally slow, which helped the front horses and hampered her closing kick, but as usual she tried hard and ran well. This filly has a win, two seconds and four thirds in 8 starts for us this year and has earned just under $25,000 so far. She is not our best horse, but another of the hard trying runners who have been making money for us all year long at Penn. The next race featured This Quay Home, who had finished an excellent 2^nd last time out for us in her Penn debut, after several very poor efforts at other tracks and a brief freshening at the farm. This time she briefly broke through the gate before the start, then was caught between horses, made a decent run into second turning for home, and flattened out to finish 4^th. It wasn’t the race we were hoping for, but the rider said she hit her head at the start and had rough trip. We think she’ll run better next time.

 In our final start for the week and the month, Proven Warrior ran hard and well at Monmouth Park on August 29th, but had to settle for 4^th, beaten just 1&1/4 lengths for the win. He broke a step slowly, but made the lead quickly enough, battled hard all the way to the wire, never quit, and just couldn’t quite hold on. Hard not to at least hit the board, when beaten by such a small margin for the win, but he tried hard, ran well, and came back sound, which is all you can ask for. He’ll either run again in mid-Sept at Monmouth, or ship to Keeneland to trainer (and old friend) Chuck Peery for a race opening day October 2^nd. Chuck trained him there before to two impressive wins, so it’s an interesting option.

September should be another busy month with more of our two year olds expected to start and our older runners all geared up for various races. We are hoping Long May You Run can come up with a top performance in the Banjo Picker Stakes on September 5^th, and that we'll see the debuts of Awesome Papa Al, Sky Ace, Mackinaw Pharoah, and possibly Three Arch Bay and Hardrainsgonnafall. Maybe one or two of them will run as well as JW Racer did in his impressive winning debut this week at Delaware Park

Finally, a brief note for those who saw American Pharoah get upset at Saratoga in the Travers Stakes on Saturday… While we were cheering madly (as most people were) for him to win, most savvy horsemen, ourselves included, felt he was likely to get beat here. Not only is Saratoga known as “the graveyard of favorites”, Secretariat, Man of War and many, many, MANY other champions have lost here as huge favorites, but Pharoah was clearly a tired horse today. He ran with incredible courage and just missed holding on by ¾ of a length after a tough battle for most of the race, but as jockey Victor Espinoza candidly said in the interview afterwards, you could see he was sweating in the paddock for the first time and never had the push button acceleration he’d shown in all his previous starts. What this proves once again is THEY ARE RACEHORSES, NOT RACECARS!  You don’t just push the button and say go! Like all athletes, even the very best horses have their good and bad days. Pharoah’s ‘bad’ day was 2^nd beaten ¾ of a length (to a horse who he had trounced three times previously but who was bred to love the distance and was improving in every start), but no horse runs the same race every time.

Our sole starter for the week came at Saratoga Race Course on August 21st with Jersey Jules. It turned out (as expected) to be her final run for Kenwood Racing, as she was claimed out of the race from us, after a dull 6th with no excuse, despite the presense of an enthusiastic group of Kenwood partners and co-owners on hand to cheer her on from our prime - front row box seats in millionaire's row. While she did not perform up to par in her final Kenwood start, Jersey Jules had an exciting and profitible racing career for us. This lovely chestnut filly was purchased by Kenwood at the OBS select sale in March of 2014, for the bargain price of $55,000 and earned just over $95,000 in purses for us with three impressive wins and a number of placings, yet another example of Kenwood's ability to find valued priced horses that can win races and make money for our owners. This year, putting her head in front for the first time in literally the final step, Jersey Jules won a thrilling allowance event with a generous $46,500 purse at Parx on April 4th by a nostril, with the top four horses separated by less than 1 length. It took a picture perfect ride by jockey John Bisono, who tracked the early leaders in 3rd most of the way, and a game effort by Jersey Jules to wear them down in the stretch, while holding off the late closers to get the job done. After a tough race when stopping badly after making the lead in the Parx Oaks on May 2nd, Jules rebounded with a nice 2nd on June 4th in an allowance event at Pimilico Race Cource and a very game 3rd beaten a neck for the win at Belmont Park on the grass on July 5th in her final start before the Saratoga race. This nice, hard trying filly made money for us last year as a two year old, did it again this year at three, and we feel was sold at the right time. We wish her new owners continued success with her.

A very busy workout day on Saturday August 22nd (see below) and an image can be found here. All our two year olds are coming to hand nicely and several are getting close to their debuts. September promises to be a very busy and exciting month for our 2015 two year old crop as Sonny's Pharoah and Title Fight should both run back, Sky Ace and Awesome Papa Al should debut by mid-month, and possibly Hardrainsgonnafall, Three Arch Bay and Mackinaw Pharoah could make their debuts by month's end. JW Racer is expected to run this week at Delaware Park (see below), so by October, all 8 of our 2015 two year old purchases could have run if all keeps going well. Incredible considering that 40% of all horses never race at age two. Awesome Papa Al has shown a lot of speed in his early works (as his pedigree would suggest) and may debut at Belmont Park looking for a big New York bred maiden purse.

A surprise entry for Wednesday August 26th at Delaware Park for the debut of JW Racer. We wanted to run him at Monmouth Park, but when the scheduled race didn’t go for August 23rd and didn’t go again for August 28th, we took advantage of an opportunity to ship out of town to run in a 7 horse field. A good spot to get him started.

Thursday August 27th at Penn National, we have Big Apple Brit in the 3^rd race and Fuego Mi Amor in the 8^th race. Both are doing very well. Brit’s race came up super tough for the level, as evidenced by the fact that he’s listed at 6 to 1 odds, coming off a super impressive win in his last start, while Fuego’s race came up very soft, as evidenced by the fact that she’s listed as the 2 to 1 favorite off a well beaten 3^rd against weak maidens in her last start. The placement was correct for both horses and they are training great, so we are looking for a good start to another busy week as Boardwalk Run and This Quay Home could run Friday August 28th at Penn National, while next weekend (29^th/30^th) into the following week, we have possible entries for Proven Warrior, Titanium Jo (3 possible allowance spots at three different tracks after very wisely passing perhaps the most competitive 11 horse stake race run at Monmouth Park all season on Saturday August 22nd), Video Mov, PJ’s Enigma and Sonny’s Pharoah (what a list!). Then on September 5^th, Long May You Run takes center stage in the $100,000 Banjo Picker Stakes at Parx (mark your calendars, he’s training super for it!) and Huamantla should run the following day at Monmouth Park on September 6th.  What a way to end August and celebrate the Labor Day weekend!

Here are your workouts...

Hardrainsgonnafall (2-Year-Old Filly)

Date: August 22, 2015
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:00 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 24/50 - 

Awesome Papa Al (2-Year-Old Colt)

Date: August 22, 2015
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:20 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 29/50 -

J W Racer (2-Year-Old Colt)

Date: August 22, 2015
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 50:00 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 38/50 - 

Mackinaw Pharoah (2-Year-Old Filly)

Date: August 22, 2015
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:60 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 34/50 - 

Three Arch Bay (2-Year-Old Filly)

Date: August 22, 2015
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 38:40 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 21/22 - 

Sky Ace (2-Year-Old Colt)

Date: August 22, 2015
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 50:40 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 39/50 - 

Fuego Mi Amor (3-Year-Old Filly)

Date: August 22, 2015
Track: PENN NATIONAL
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 40:28 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 43/47 - 

This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out. 

Title Fight (2-Year-Old Colt)

Date: August 20, 2015
Track: GULFSTREAM PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 48:91 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 9/19 -

Another busy week with 3 in at Monmouth Park and 3 at Penn National and when the dust cleared, we had two 2^nds, a 3^rd, two 4^ths and a 5^th. It was not as good as we had hoped for, but by no means was it a washout either. Plus, the news comes that Titanium Jo has one more win than we thought (seriously, see below!).

First up, Thursday August 13th was a solid debut for Sonny’s Pharoah at Penn National. She broke nicely from the outside, settled in 5^th early, moved up on the far turn and finished a well beaten 4^th of 8 runners, well ahead of the rest of the field. The top two finishers were very nice fillies and the time of the race was very fast. Trainer Mark Salvaggio had stated before the race that she needed one or two more works to be totally fit and this race would be a starting point for her. After the race, jockey Clinton Potts said that she ran much better than he had expected from her when he’d worked her in the mornings and he really liked her. Assuming she improves, as most horses do off her debut, we should be a very good shape with this super bargain priced filly by the hottest sire in the country, Pioneerof the Nile. Only Kenwood can find a filly by a sire averaging $300,000 this year for $22,000 at a select sale! Of course we bought her BEFORE 'Pharoah' won the Triple Crown, we liked him all along. We felt a filly this nice (and we bought two by his sire!) was worth it as an individual, and that being by the same sire as a potential super horse was the icing on the cake.

We had planned to run two horses on Friday at Penn National and the one that ran, did great (below). The night began with PJ’s Enigma living up to her name by (literally) flipping in the paddock and having to be scratched. Mark Salvaggio said a horse fly started bugging her and she just lost it, flipping over twice. Fortunately, she and the staff are all ok, but she’s a nervous, unpredictable filly who can meltdown at the drop of a hat. Hopefully, she’ll behave better next time. Mark Salvaggio worked her himself the morning after the race and she worked terrific (below). She’s physically fit and sharp and none the worse for wear from her mental meltdown. Coming off an excellent 2^nd at Penn a couple of weeks ago, she’s poised for a big effort next time, IF she can keep it together mentally.

In the second race for us Friday evening, at Penn National, the news was a LOT better, as This Quay Home returned from a freshening at the farm after several horrible races at tougher tracks and ran huge. She rocketed to the lead and held it until the final 70 yards, before giving way grudgingly just before the wire to finish a very game 2^nd, beaten less than 1 length for the win. She looked horrible when we sent her off to the farm for a rest, thin and miserable and clearly in need of time off. Mark babied her, since she to came to train with him at Penn, to keep her fresh and happy. Clearly, she needed the race coming into it off just three easy works. That almost surely cost her the win here, but she was not claimed. We have a nice, fresh filly, who with this one under her belt, should be very tough to beat at this level next time out.

On Saturday, at Monmouth Park, we began with Proven Warrior, making his Kenwood Racing debut off the claim last month out of a race, where he ran poorly as the huge favorite. We won a 5 way shake for him that day. As bad as he ran (5^th and getting out the entire way), most of the other people who dropped a claim slip for him were glad they didn’t get him, as evidenced by the fact that absolutely nobody tried to claim him for the same price today. But, trainer Steve DiMauro did a fine job working with him and he ran great in his debut for us today, sitting in 2^nd after breaking slowly. While he never was able to catch the winner, he held on very gamely for 2^nd in a super-fast run race for the level. Off this effort, he appears to have been a good buy and we think he’s sitting on a win next time with a little better break.

Next up, at Monmouth, was Video Mov, who we had claimed back for $12,500 after losing him for $20,000 two races earlier. His new owners were unable to win with him, despite dropping him down in class, but we felt for $12,500 he was a real bargain and were glad to have him back in our barn. When the ideal $16,000 claiming race failed to go twice, we decided to take a shot in a $25,000 claiming race at Monmouth Park, which came up very tough for the level. While he finished 4^th, it was truly a super effort, as he shot to the front early on his own, battled with another horse for most of the race, and finally tired in deep stretch, but still only missed winning the race by just over 1 length. Off this effort, he clearly is worth more than we paid to claim him back and placed just a hair lower ($20,000, $16,000 if we can get a race like that to go), he’s going to be very tough to beat next time out.

The disappointment of the day at Monmouth, was Huamantla, who got an absolutely perfect trip sitting in 4^th off a contested pace, against a very similar field to the one she beat in her debut last time. She moved into 2^nd on the far turn, looking like she was about to roll by the leader, and then suddenly slowed to a walk in the stretch to finish 5^th. Jockey Daniel Centeno said he had a ton of horse all the way and suddenly she totally lost all action. She came back fine so far, no obvious reason for the dull finish, so we’ll chalk this one up to a poor race and look for a rebound next time.

Finally Boardwalk Run was a closing 3^rd at Penn National, coming from dead last, as is her style to finish just over 1 length behind the winner and just over 1 length in front of the 5^th place horse in a blanket finish. She didn’t run badly. She’s been a model of consistency all year, with 5 in-the-money finishes from 6 starts, but the jockey and trainer both felt she didn’t care for a very loose, dusty track on a hot night that might have dulled her closing kick just a bit. She came back fine, as well.

Now to the story of Titanium Jo, who had run 2^nd in her last start at Penn National on July 10^th, a well beaten 2^nd, to be exact. But, this week, the news came that the winner was officially disqualified post-race for a medication violation (not an illegal drug, a minute overage of a legal medication, but that’s the way the screwed up system works right now) and she was officially declared the winner. Yes, that means we get the winner’s share of the purse, and yes, she’s officially an allowance winner now. With her win, our record now stands at 12 wins, 16 seconds and 10 thirds from 78 starts in 2015, just a hair under the 20%/50% gold standard but after starting off at 8%/35% for January – April, we’ve been on an absolute tear since. We’re confident this will end up to be very good year for Kenwood.

Our super busy month continues next week, with possible entries at Monmouth Park for JW Racer in his career debut and Titanium Jo in the Monmouth Oaks next weekend, plus perhaps Big Apple Brit and Fuego Mi Amor at Penn National and Jersey Jules at Saratoga Friday. A bunch of our horses worked on Saturday morning at Monmouth (below) and all did fine. JW Racer received his gate card and worked really well. He’s ready for his debut and has made real progress recently. After looking like a dud a month ago, he’s looking like a serious runner now, which shows how babies can develop. They’re racehorses, not racecars!  Sky Ace is still developing slowly, much as we expected when we bought him. Awesome Papa Al had a nice work. Both Mackinaw Pharoah and Hardrainsgonnafall worked well, too. Titanium Jo looked great in her final prep, for a possible start in the Monmouth Oaks next weekend. 

The Kenwood team had a super week in Saratoga. The TOBA (Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association) Thoroughbred Ownership seminar on Wednesday, August 12th, was a rousing success, with both Robb Levinsky and Allen J. Katz as featured speakers. Everyone loved our front row box seats for some fantastic racing at one of the most lovely tracks in one of the most lovely towns in the world.  

Kenwood Racing is growing by leaps and bounds! Thanks for your wonderful support!

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Here's some recent workouts....

This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out. 

Titanium Jo (3-Year-Old Filly)

Your comments for this horse were: Purchased OBS March 2014

Date: August 15, 2015
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 50:00 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 74/97 - See the day's workouts 

This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out. 

Sky Ace (2-Year-Old Colt)

Date: August 15, 2015
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 50:20 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 80/97 - See the day's workouts 

This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out. 

J W Racer (2-Year-Old Colt)

Date: August 15, 2015
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 48:60 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 27/97 - See the day's workouts 

This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out. 

Awesome Papa Al (2-Year-Old Colt)

Date: August 15, 2015
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 39:00 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 30/33 - See the day's workouts 

This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out. 

P J's Enigma (4-Year-Old Filly)

Your comments for this horse were: Claimed for $20,000 at Gulfstream 2-19-15, NJ bred

Date: August 15, 2015
Track: PENN NATIONAL
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:40 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 12/34 - See the day's workouts 

Another excellent week for Kenwood runners and a lot more excitement ahead!

Thursday August 6th was a memorable day at Penn National, when both our runners won thrilling races. First we had Big Apple Brit, who was stretching out off a fast closing 6^th from way back in a sprint last time, beaten just 2 lengths for the win in a race we noted as being super impressive despite not hitting the board. The longer distance hit him right in the head here as he sat an easy 3^rd in the early going, moved into 2^nd at the top of the stretch, and wore down the leader to win going away by a widening two lengths. This is our cheapest horse, but also one of our soundest and most hard trying. He gives it his all every time and now has a record of 5 wins, 6 seconds and 4 thirds from 30 starts, as solid as they come. Then it was Long May You Run‘s turn in the 6^th race, facing a very tough field of allowance runners moving back to the dirt from two straight turf sprints. He broke well, settled nicely in third behind the solid favorite, moved into contention at the top of the stretch and wore down the leaders by a long neck in a very game effort to give Kenwood two wins for the evening and nearly $30,000 in purse money. Congratulations to partners Tony & Gloria Varano, who visited the winner’s circle twice in a night not to be forgotten!  Kenwood has been on a tear all summer and these two impressive wins certainly started August off on the right hoof with a lot more action to come!         

Title Fight was simply outrun by much faster horses in the Florida Stallion Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream Park, finishing 8^th, while never in the hunt. As we said to one co-owner “it’s all about the company you keep”. He ran about as well time wise as he did in his debut and finished 8^th, which is why we try hard to keep ourselves in the best company and our horses in the worst company. As explained before the race, if there had been any other option but this stake, he’d never have run here, but he’s a solid horse and he’ll win when a more realistic spot appears.          .

On Sunday, Scuba Sue was beaten at the wire in a heartbreaker at Monmouth Park, a virtual repeat of her last, both times she opened a solid lead on the far turn and was caught at the wire in a photo, finishing 2^nd. We had 25+ people on hand looking for the winner’s circle, but it was not to be. She was claimed from us and we’ll miss her again, but we paid $16,000 and they paid us $25,000, plus two nice purses for the seconds. It could have been even better with one or two wins, but it was a very nice profit and two thrilling races!

Our annual meeting couldn’t have possibly gone any better on Sunday. An overflow crowd at Kenwood’s office, next year we’ll need a larger location, thanks to the large number of new co-owners who have joined the Kenwood family this year!  We had 2 hours of great questions, wonderful feedback, and as always the comradery of a great group of co-owners and partners. Our heartfelt thanks to all, we do this for you!

On to upcoming entries…. Sonny’s Pharoah will be our 2^nd two year old to debut this year when she runs in the 5^th race at Penn National this Thursday, about 7:30pm. She’s doing well and this should be a good learning experience for her.

We’ve been looking for a race for Jersey Jules for two weeks now and nothing went at Monmouth Park, despite the racing office making a real try on several occasions. Most likely the next entry will be at Saratoga for August 22nd.

We entered 3 horses for next Friday at Monmouth Park and none of the races were used, BUT all were brought back for Saturday and hopefully at least a couple will go next weekend.

Wednesday August 12th, we will ENTER several horses for races next Friday at Penn National, including PJ’S Enigma and This Quay Home, so next weekend could be busy again.

Off to Saratoga next week, a large group of Kenwood people are going. Both Robb Levinsky and Allen Katz are featured speakers at the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) seminar next Wednesday, August 12th, at Saratoga. Details available here. It should be a great week!

Kenwood Racing has been on fire this summer, with two wins at Penn National on Thursday, a fine 2^nd with Scuba Sue at Monmouth Park on Sunday, and it’s not over yet!!! 

Another busy week as PJ's Enigma finally turns things around with a solid 2nd in her Penn National debut on July 29th, after several terrible races at Monmouth Park, then Boardwalk Run was a fast closing 3rd in her grass debut at Penn on July 30th.  Most of our runners training very well up to races (see below), with several more two year olds nearing thier debuts.

Of course Sunday was the historic Haskell and it was truly a sublime day of racing at Monmouth Park. A record setting crowd watched American Pharoah dominate a fine field of horses in as dominating a performance as has been seen anywhere in decades. Over 35 Kenwood Racing partners & co-owners had literally the best seats in the house; from our parterre suite where owners of the Haskell runners were seated next to us, to our finish line box next to the one where the Zayat family watched ‘Pharoah’s’ Haskell run, to the special table right on the window in the trackside dining room, to the private grandstand boxes for our overflow group, every member of the Kenwood family enjoyed a memorable experience together on a picture perfect day featuring outstanding racing from start to finish. It was a day to remember, a huge boost for Monmouth Park and New Jersey racing, and a credit to the outstanding job Monmouth Park management did to make this all come together. 

Turning back to Kenwood runners, several horses had excellent workouts on Saturday August 1st (see below), with JW Racer looking very impressive out of the gate. He should be ready to run August 23^rd at Monmouth if the race goes. He worked in company with Sky Ace, who broke a bit slow in his first time out of the gate (which is totally normal) but then worked very well. He’s 50/50 to make a race on the 23^rd at Monmouth also.  Jersey Jules worked super, ready to run wherever we can find a spot for her, hopefully next Sat. at Monmouth (see below). Hardrainsgonnafall and Mackinaw Pharoah worked 3 furlongs in company and did really well. Both well-bred fillies are making excellent progress. On Sunday August 2nd, Title Fight worked very well for the Florida Stallion Stakes next Saturday at Gulfstream Park. 

Finally while it’s a sad note in an otherwise wonderful weekend, we end with the news of the loss of our much beloved Carl’s Only Vice, who died suddenly after contracting colitis on July 31st. Carl’s loss is one that will be felt deeply by all of us, he was in our barn for 4 wonderful years and a pleasure to have as part of Kenwood Racing. Our hope and plan for him as a successful, sound New Jersey bred was to have him follow in the footsteps of our own Hermosillo, who retired at age 9 sound and happy and is having a great retirement at War Horse’s farm in Virginia under the loving care of a great horsewoman, Barbara Luna. Carl was doing great; our plan was to have him win the Hesse Handicap this year that Hermosillo won twice and Carl lost last year due to a horrible ride, and to keep racing as long as he was sound and happy and then retire and enjoy life on the farm with Hermosillo. Unfortunately, it was not to be. He was way too young to succumb to such a horrible illness. Life is tough and any loss is hard, especially the loss of one you love. We will all miss Carl terribly.

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This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out. 

Jersey Jules (3-Year-Old Filly)

Your comments for this horse were: Purchased OBS March 2014

Date: August 1, 2015
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 48:00 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 9/92 - See the day's workouts 

This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out. 

Sky Ace (2-Year-Old Colt)

Date: August 1, 2015
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 37:00 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 11/33 - See the day's workouts 

This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out. 

J W Racer (2-Year-Old Colt)

Date: August 1, 2015
Track: MONMOUTH PARK
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 36:00 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 2/33 - See the day's workouts 

AMERICAN PHAROAH FLASHES CHAMPIONSHIP FORM GIVING BAFFERT HIS 8TH HASKELL INVITATIONAL VICTORY IN FRONT OF RECORD 60,983 AT MONMOUTH

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Total domination!

With a record Monmouth Park crowd lustily cheering him on, Zayat Stables’ American Pharoah cruised to his eighth straight victory Sunday, winning the $1.75 million Haskell Invitational (Grade 1) by any margin his rider pleased.

At the end of the mile and an eighth, the Triple Crown winner scored by two and a quarter lengths over the hard-trying Keen Ice in the time of 1:47 4/5, giving trainer Bob Baffert his record eighth victory in Monmouth’s signature race.

But there was no doubt the margin could have been 10 times that, and the final time could have shattered the stakes and track records. Jockey Victor Espinoza just sat quietly the entire race on the big bay son of Pioneerof the Nile, and they crossed the wire completely under wraps. The Equibase chart says “Easily.” And that’s an understatement.

The biggest crowd in Monmouth history -- a record-shattering 60,983 -- and a world-wide television audience installed American Pharoah as the 1-10 favorite to follow up his Triple Crown sweep with another super performance. And the super colt delivered, paying a record low price of $2.20, $2.10 and $2.10 across the board.

The excitement also produced a record handle for the race and for Haskell Day. A total of $6,544,247 was bet on the Haskell, shattering the mark of $4,463,736 on the 2010 running. Total handle for the day was $20,024,509, a huge increase over the previous mark of $17,642,955 set in 2008.

“What an amazing day,” said Dennis Drazin, advisor to Darby Development LLC, operators of the track. “We were prepared and it showed. I want to express my gratitude to the entire Zayat family and to trainer Bob Baffert for giving New Jersey the biggest day in horse racing the Garden State has ever seen.

“I also want to thank the entire Monmouth Park team, who have worked tirelessly to make today the great success that it was. And, of course, I want to thank the fans, who truly made this an event that won’t soon be forgotten.”

Keen Ice, who was 18-1 and giving his all through the stretch under Kent Desormeaux, finished second, three lengths in front of Upstart, the 6-1 second favorite. Keen Ice paid $4.80 and $2.80 and completed the $10.80 exacta. Upstart paid $2.40 to show.

This Haskell victory was Baffert’s eighth in total and second straight, following Bayern’s score last year. The trainer started his run with Point Given in 2001, following with War Emblem (2002), Roman Ruler (2005), Lookin at Lucky (2010), Coil (2011) and Paynter (2012).

This was by far the richest Haskell Baffert has won. In the week leading up to the race, Darby Development upped the purse by $750,000, making this 48^th running of the Haskell Invitational the richest race ever run in New Jersey, save for the Breeders’ Cup races in 2007.

The winner’s share of $1.1 million brought American Pharoah’s career total to $5,630,300. The bay colt out of the Yankee Gentleman mare Littleprincessemma has now won eight straight graded stakes races since he lost his first start in a maiden event.

“I was so nervous today,” Baffert said. “I was pretty anxious. I was more nervous than any time I’ve run him. He got a little stirred up in the paddock. He was pretty fresh because he’s had a lot of time between races. I wanted him sharp today because I knew the pace was going to be fast.

“Competitive Edge, he’s a fast horse. He was just cruising. Down the backside, I saw Victor had a hold of Pharoah and I looked at those fast fractions, but it looked like he was going in :48. It’s something that every time we run him or work him, he’s just getting stronger and better.

“What I saw was amazing,” Baffert added. “I watched like a fan today. I’m looking at this horse like, where did he come from? I’ve had some really nice horses, but this horse, what he does is just incredible. He makes me emotional because he’s a gift from God.”

“It was pretty easy,” Espinoza said in a stroke of understatement. “For me the key was just coming out of there running. I didn’t want to get into any bumping out of the gate. I just wanted to let him run his race. I knew that other horse (Competitive Edge) would want to take the lead, so I sat back just a little bit, maybe a half-length behind.

“He did everything by himself,” the rider said. “It was pretty easy. Pretty impressive.”

The race unfolded in simple fashion. Competitive Edge used his speed to take the lead leaving the gate. American Pharoah broke smoothly and Espinoza was content to sit second around the clubhouse turn and down the backstretch through a quarter in :23 1/5 and a half-mile in :46

Nearing the 3/8ths pole, the champ could not be contained any longer. With the barest of efforts, American Pharoah moved to the lead, six furlongs in 1:09 3/5, and went right on by Competitive Edge without effort.

American Pharoah entered the stretch with a daylight lead over the fading pacesetter, running the mile in 1:34 2/5. Espinoza really wrapped up at this point, and a determined Keen Ice gave the longshot players a brief thrill. But his closing flurry was an illusion.

“The horse gave me the race of his life,” Desormeaux said of Keen Ice. “He ran the entire mile and an eighth. I’m so proud of him.”

 American Pharoah’s time of 1:47 4/5 was just over the Haskell stakes record of 1:47 flat (held jointly by Majestic Light and Bet Twice) and one seconds slower than the track record of 1:46 4/5 set by Spend a Buck in 1985 and equaled by Jolie’s Halo in 1992.

All kinds of good news this week  We start with Huamantla, who wins first time off the claim for Kenwood Racing & group #21 at Monmouth Park, just getting up at the wire to get the money by a neck in a three horse photo on July 25th! Another nice horse from our active racing group, who won three straight races with Selma Gayle earlier this spring. Let’s hope this filly follows in her hoofsteps!

Then it was Fuego Mi Amor’s turn  July 25th at Penn National. We had hoped for her first win but she lost a shoe in the paddock, washed out badly after that, and had to settle for 3^rd money. It was not a horrible effort considering as she sat a good 2^nd early, dropped back badly on the far turn, but rallied again in the stretch to get show money. As a Pa. bred even with 3rds she is making money and we think she’ll be able to at least break her maiden shortly.

Also on July 25th, Kenwood claimed the horse Proven Warrior at Monmouth Park, won a 5 way shake and happy to have him.

Another excellent effort July 26th as Scuba Sue runs a game 2^nd, beaten a neck for the win at Monmouth Park to give Kenwood a 1^st a 2^nd and a 3^rd for the weekend. We claimed her back for $16,000 last month, she ran for claiming $30,000 in a starter allowance and ran huge. Clearly an excellent re-claim and a very solid filly.  With Huamantla’s win first off the claim, Scuba's fine 2nd and Fuego Mi Amor’s 3^rd despite losing a shoe at Penn National, it was a fine week for Kenwood. 

On the entry front next week PJ's Enigma runs July 29th at Penn National and Boardwalk Run follows the next day Thursday, 30^th also at Penn National. Let’s hope for no rain so Boardwalk can finally get a shot on the grass, which we’ve been waiting for all year. She comes off a flying 2^nd in her last and is sharp and fresh and we expect a big effort from her if she likes the grass as we think she will.

Lots of workouts this weekend to report (see below). Title Fight worked very well on a muddy track at Gulfstream Park (see below), looks like he’ll likely go in the Florida Stallion Stakes Aug. 8^th. Carl’s Only Vice worked super at Monmouth Park, is ready for his race August 1^st.  Video Mov and Jersey Jules could run that day also at Monmouth Park, the day before the historic Haskell.  Two year olds all making super progress, several should run next month.  July was a great month and the best is yet to come this summer!

This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out. 

Title Fight (2-Year-Old Colt)

Date: July 26, 2015
Track: GULFSTREAM PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 50:91 Breezing
Track Condition: Muddy
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 21/37 - See the day's workouts