While 2020 has been a very trying year due to Covid -19 and the resulting pandemic, the thoroughbred industry continues to bravely conduct business as close to “normal” as possible. There was a cutback in racing opportunities. In spite of this, horses that went through the breaking process and prepared for their racing careers in South Carolina, were well represented in stakes races far and wide. Between November 20 and December 20, five entered the winner’s circle following black-type events.
On November 27, Arklow went off as the favorite against a full field in the Hollywood Turf Cup-G2 at Del Mar. In the stretch, Arklow showed why he deserved top billing. Stalking the leader, Arklow looked like he was going to take over the lead after a ½ mile. The horse in front dug deep and did not relent until inside the 1/8 pole. Arklow took command and drove to a ½ length victory. This 6-year-old came up through Franklin “Goree” Smith’s program at the Elloree Training Center.
December 5 was a big day at Gulfstream Park for South Carolina grads as two were winners of Claiming Crown stakes. Both were developed for their racing careers by Randy and Kayla Rentz. Jakarta was third along the rail heading towards the top of the stretch in the Claiming Crown Distaff Dash. She then angled to the outside and put her head in front before hitting the 1/16 pole and came to the wire 2 ¼ lengths in front. Ninety minutes later in the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit S., Avant Garde settled in the back half of the field early on. He worked his way past those in front of him and in a steady drive, Avant Garde got up just in time to win by a ½ length.
The Remsen S.-G2 is a major fixture on the New York racing calendar each year. Held at Aqueduct, the connections of the winner start having Kentucky Derby dreams. The winner of the 2020 version held on December 5 was Brooklyn Strong. A graduate of Travis Durr’s Webb Carroll Training Center, Brooklyn Strong had only one beat after the opening ½ mile. In the stretch, Brooklyn Strong was asked the question and in a determined effort, got up to win by a neck.
One more Elloree Training Center student, Logical Myth, captured the Buddy Diliberto Memorial S. at Fair Grounds on December 19. Third at each call until inside the ¼ pole, Logical Myth, while 4 wide, made a desperate rally to win by a hard fought neck.
We are happy to put 2020 behind us and we look forward to having our equine athletes put many smiles on our faces in 2021!
