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Between August 23 and September 19, 10 South Carolina graduates of our training centers won Stakes races.
On August 22, Barbadian Runner won his fourth Stakes, taking the Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes at Charles Town. Having only one beat after the opening half mile, Barbadian Runner began his rally from the outside, passing horses and proving best in the stretch, crossing the finish line 2 ½ lengths in front. He was prepared for his racing career by Bobby and Jason McCutchen in Kingstree, S.C. Barbadian Runner is owned by AJ Will Win Stables LLC, trained by Henry Walters, and was ridden by Forest Boyce. He has never finished worse than fourth in 17 career starts, earning $643,000.
The amazing Book’em Danno notched his third Stakes win in a row, proving best in the Forego Stakes-G1 at Saratoga on Travers Day, August 23. Fourth early on, Book’em Danno was within striking distance before gaining the lead with a 1/8th of a mile to go. He crossed the finish line a length in front. Owned by Atlantic Six Racing LLC and trained by Derek Ryan, this 4-year-old gelding has captured 9 Stakes wins in only 16 lifetime starts. Prepared for his racing career by Randy, Justin, and Kala Rentz, he has accumulated $1,855,425 in career earnings.
Winner of the Jersey Girl Handicap on July 5 at Monmouth Park, Riding Pretty came back to win the Charles Hesse III Handicap on August 24 at Monmouth. Within 3 lengths of the lead, Riding Pretty launched her bid in the turn, took a three-length lead in the stretch, then had to hold off another to win by a neck. This was her fourth Stakes win, all at Monmouth Park. Riding Pretty has accumulated $525,320 over her career. Riding Pretty is a graduate of the Travis Durr Training Center. She is owned by Holly Crest Farm, trained by Eddie Owens, and was ridden by Samuel Marin.
On the same day at Monmouth Park, another former Durr graduate, Great Navigator, captured the New Jersey Breeders Handicap. While stalking the leader early on, he took the lead in the turn, quickly opening up a three-length lead. Great Navigator then cruised to the finish line, winning by 4 ¼ lengths. He is also owned by Holly Crest Farm, trained by Owens, and was ridden by Marin.
Randy, Justin, and Kala Rentz’s former student, Ohio Joe, was the first horse to reach the finish line in the Crowd Pleaser Stakes at Penn National on August 29. Sixth early on, he worked his way up through traffic and scored by a ½ length. Ridden by Anthony Salgado, Ohio Joe is trained by Louis Linder and owned by Bran Jam Stable and David Clark.
On September 6, Safe Trip Home won his second race in a row and fourth in ten lifetime starts, capturing the Colonial Cup Stakes at Colonial Downs. In no rush early on in this 1 ½ mile marathon, Safe Trip Home took off with an eighth of a mile to go, drawing clear in the stretch to win by 2 ¼ lengths. He went through the breaking process at Bobby and Jason’s McCutchen Training Center. Debby McCutchen is a Vice President of the South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Safe Trip Home is owned by PTK LLC, trained by William Cowans, and was ridden to victory by Emmanuel Esquivel.
On September 7, Post Time did it again, winning the Polynesian Stakes at Laurel Park. He has truly been a remarkable horse, winning 12 of his 20 lifetime starts, including 8 Stakes victories. Post Time also won the Polynesian Stakes last year. Within 2 ½ lengths after a ¼ mile, he eased to the front with a ½ mile to go, and with a slight ask, he came home a 17-length winner. Post Time was prepared for his racing career in Aiken, S.C., by Cary Frommer. He is owned by Ellen Charles’ Hillwood Stable LLC, trained by Brittany Russell, and ridden by her husband, Sheldon.
Toupie recorded her fifth Stakes victory, proving best in the Sensible Lady Turf Dash Stakes at Laurel Park on September 13. Toupie learned her early lessons at the Travis Durr Training Center. After bumping the side of the gate, she settled on the inside, gradually improving her position. In the stretch, she came up between rivals and drove to a 1 ¼ length victory. Owned by Wertheimer and Frere, Toupie is trained by Graham Motion and was ridden by Daniel Centeno.
Had to Have Him, bred and raised by Wes Carter in Bamberg, SC, captured his first Stakes victory in the Laurel Dash Stakes at Laurel Park, also on September 13. Had to Have Him was 8 of 10 after being bumped at the start. He circled the field in the turn, continuing his rally through the stretch, crossing the finish line 2 lengths clear of the field. Ridden on this day by J.G. Torrealba, he is trained by John Salzman and owned by Gracie Mae Stables and Great Lake Stable.
The 2-year-old filly, Sweet Montreal, is now 2 for 2. After breaking her Maiden at Saratoga on August 6, she proved much the best in the Joseph A. Gimma Stakes at the Belmont at the Big A meet on September 19. She broke on top and never looked back, crossing the finish line 3 ¼ lengths in front. Sweet Montreal came up under Travis Durr’s watchful eye. She is owned by DiRico Racing and Breeding LLC, trained by James Ryerson, and was ridden on this day by Christopher Elliott.
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