September 8, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
In Theory…
Kentucky Downs’ stellar Saturday of stakes kicked off with a big bang courtesy of 3-year-old colt Howard Wolowitz.
The 3-1 closing line choice in the $2 million Franklin-Simpson (G1T) delivered on his high billing with a come from behind one-length triumph over 6-1 rival Yellow Card.
While it may have been a little title than anticipated for Howard Wolowitz, the Irad Ortiz Jr. mount dug deep to secure his first graded title in his debut at the rank.
Now sporting an even .500 record (4: 2-0-0), the young colt rewarded his backers with an $8.12 payout for a $2 win bet.
Grand Return
What better way to break out of a seven-race winless drought than to set a new track record in the process.
That’s exactly what 5-year-old Grand Sonata did when he completed the 1 ½-mile Kentucky Turf Cup (G2T) in 2:24.93 on Saturday afternoon at Kentucky Downs.
It was a long time coming for the Todd Pletcher trainee, who had been held out of the winner’s circle for 380 days prior to the vindicating victory.
Bettors also benefited from Grand Sonata’s brilliance, as the Tyler Gaffalione mount paid a neat $32.78 for defying the odds (15-1).
Try, Try Again
After shooting out of the gate with two straight wins, including this March’s Gotham (G3), Deterministic fell into a rut that resulted in four consecutive fruitless trips around the track.
The 3-year-old colt finally decided enough was enough this past Saturday with a valiant showing in the $500,000 Virginia Derby (G3T) at Colonial Downs.
Leaving from the second post position, Deterministic fought gamely to work his way into striking distance. Once there, the Christophe Clement charge needed every last ounce to steal the 1 1/8-mile contest by a neck.
With the slump officially behind him, Deterministic can now be remembered as the horse that paid an even $4 to win the 2024 Virginia Derby.
Directed By M. Night Shyamalan
Unfortunately for Vodka With a Twist, the twist ending to Saturday’s $300,000 Del Mar Debutante turned sour.
Instead, it was Tenma and rider Kazushi Kimura who celebrated from the winner’s circle after edging out their fellow 2-year-old foe by a nose.
The duo remained perfect through two starts, adding their first graded piece of graded hardware along the way.
In an interesting turn, 4-5 closing line choice Nooni faded around the halfway point before easing into a disappointing fifth.
Tenma and Kimura took advantage of the open space to forge ahead and return an even $8 for the win.
Prepared for Battle
A patient ride from veteran jockey Frankie Dettori helped May Day Ready turn the $1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies into a six-figure payday.
Going off as race nine on Kentucky Downs’ stellar seven-figure Sunday stakes slate, the one-mile tilt for 2-year-old fillies featured a deep field of 12 lightly raced competitors.
May Day Ready, like several other hopefuls, only had one professional start under her belt.
Despite a lack of experience, the Joseph Lee protégé looked plenty comfortable closing the gap late for a clear victory.
The textbook effort paid a cool $11.16.