Fireworks in July normally accompany Fourth of July celebrations around the country. In the case of our (Woodford Racing) horses the July fireworks have continued throughout the month!
Hot Springs got things started with his run in the “eventful” Grade 3, $200,000 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park on July 14. Just as Hot Springs was taking aim at the horse leading at the top of the stretch, the leader drifted into Hot Springs causing him to lose his momentum. By the time he regained his momentum a horse with clear sailing on the outside got up for the win. While the horse causing the interference was disqualified, Hot Springs had to settle for second place. Considering it was Hot Springs’s first graded stakes race, he ran extremely well. With his second place finish he now has two wins and a second in four races in 2018!
Thoroughbred Daily News article on Hot Springs
Catapult followed up his second place finish at Santa Anita in June with a convincing win in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes on July 22. With a purse of $250,000, the Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar (San Diego, CA) attracted 10 horses with multiple graded stakes wins among them. Catapult was content to race seventh early in the race and exploded down the stretch.
Del Mar race caller Trevor Denman said it best, “Catapult, like an express train, wins the Eddie Read”! With the win, Catapult goes over $500,000 in earnings! Trainer John Sadler believes Catapult’s “best races are ahead of him” which should make for a very interesting remainder of 2018!
Racing Dude’s article on Catapult