Virginia-bred horses have been winning the past couple weeks in every part of the country except the Mid-Atlantic region. Many have come in impressive gate to wire efforts and many as betting choices.
American Dubai, who a year ago was on the Kentucky Derby trail, earned his second career triumph on Valentine’s Day in a one mile, $26,000 allowance optional claiming event at Sunland Park. The 4 year old E Dubai colt beat six other horses in gate to wire fashion by 2 1/2 lengths. The victory pushed his career bankroll to $115,714.
A year ago, American Dubai finished third in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn, one of the early Derby prep races for 3 year olds. He went on to compete in the Rebel, also at Oaklawn, and in the Toyota Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland. He was bred by Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin III, is trained by Rodney Richards, and is out of the Bates Motel mare, Smash Review.
Kody With a K saw his bankroll surge into the six digit range with a victory February 12th in a $23,500 claiming race at Oaklawn. Bred by the Corner Farm and Stormy Atlantic Syndicate, the 6 year old gelding had an easy time of it, wiring the field by 5 1/2 lengths. The win, which came at six furlongs, was his first in three starts this year and fourth overall. He is by Stormy Atlantic out of Privateers Bay by Allen’s Prospect. He has earned $104,024 from 23 outings.
Lenstar had a stellar gate to wire performance in a $46,000 maiden special weight race at Gulfstream on February 5th. The 3 year old Shackleford gelding won the six furlong sprint by 6 1/4 lengths in 1:10.71. Bred by the Lazy Lane Farms and trained by Nick Zito, Lenstar had been winless in his first five but did collect a runner-up and third from that quintet. Jockey Luis Saez guided the winning effort up top. Lenstar, who has earned $44,281, is out of Cryptos’s Best by Cryptoclearance.
Chas’s Legacy did not lead his race all the way around, but did collect win number six and pushed his earnings over the $120,000 level with a claiming triumph at Sunland February 5th. The 6 year old Bernardini gelding raced in third through most of the one mile, 70 yard race, got to the front at the top of the stretch and won by 4 3/4 lengths in 1:41.83. He was bred by the Estate of Edward Evans and has now bankrolled $122,868. Chas’s Legacy is out of the Kingmambo mare, Our Legacy.
Louden’s Gray, also bred by the Estate of Edward Evans, found success in a 5 1/2 furlong claiming sprint at Santa Anita February 9th. The 6 year old Street Sense gelding saved ground stalking the pace early, went inside to gain the lead in the stretch and won by 2 1/4 lengths over six others. In for a $16,000 claiming tag, Louden’s Gray crossed in 1:03.43 and paid $9.80. A winner of $84,190, he is by Minishaft out of Mineshaft.
KD’s Cat Bird and Louise’s Legacy also scored claiming wins in the past week — the former in a one miler at Tampa Bay Downs and the latter in a six furlong race at Fair Grounds.
KD’s Cat Bird, bred by Christopher Kuhn, led from start to finish and has now won three of his last five, all at Tampa dating back to last March. He is by Courageous Cat out of Rockalady by Birdstone. Louise’s Legacy, bred by Louise McLean, also wired the field in her six furlong sprint. The 6 year old daughter of Medalist earned her second lifetime score and paid $19.20 in a race where three entrants were claimed.
Four of the above victors went off at even money odds or less. Biggest upset winner was Kody With a K, who paid $34.60.
