A day after Gin Gin lit up the toteboard at odds of 38-1 within the Doubledogdare Stakes (G3), Utah Seaside delivered one other wholesome stakes payoff for the Keeneland crowd with an 11-1 upset victory within the $394,188 Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) April 19.
Whereas the betting public could not have anticipated the win, for the connections of Utah Seaside, the gelding was solely executing a long-laid-out plan.Utah Seaside, gr/ro, 5/g
English Channel — My Personal Story, by Lasting Approval
Proprietor: Jeffrey S. Amling and Merriebelle Secure (Charles Noell)
Breeder: J. Amling & Merriefield Farm (KY)
Coach: Ignacio Correas IV
Jockey: Vincent Cheminaud
Data offered by Equibase at time of entry.
“We thought of this race early within the winter, and the plan was to get right here,” mentioned successful coach Ignacio Correas IV. “Generally every part pans out and typically not, however I am blissful for the homeowners and my crew. It is at all times very good to win a stakes at Keeneland.”
Whereas Utah Seaside’s résumé could not have jumped out on paper, the 5-year-old English Channel gelding turned in a promising runner-up end within the H. Allen Jerkens Handicap at Gulfstream Park over the winter and was a superb third within the Sycamore Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland final fall. Stabled at Keeneland year-round for Correas, the turf router made one other journey to Florida, ending a disappointing ninth within the William L. McKnight Stakes (G3T), earlier than operating fourth in Turfway Park’s much-too-short Kentucky Cup Basic Stakes (G3) at 1 1/8 miles March 22.
“I knew he wanted that race (at Turfway),” Correas mentioned. “The aim in that race was to not beat him up and simply give him that race to deliver him right here.”Join BloodHorse Every day
Racing in midpack beneath Vincent Cheminaud, the Elkhorn took an surprising twist midway by the race when second-choice Restricted Legal responsibility launched an early bid for the lead as the sector handed the grandstand for the primary time. Restricted Legal responsibility not solely took command however widened his benefit beneath Frankie Dettori, showing all however house free till Utah Seaside roared into rivalry late. The 2 geldings sparred stride for stride, with Utah Seaside proving victorious within the battle of the grays.
Utah Seaside prevailed by a head in a remaining time of two:29.78 for the 1 1/2 miles on a agency turf course. His backers pocketed $25.40 for a $2 win ticket.
“We at all times thought he was a extremely good horse and now he proved it,” Correas mentioned. “He at all times runs properly at Keeneland. Most likely his finest races, numbers and every part are right here. ”
Restricted Legal responsibility was second by 1 1/4 lengths over Brian Lynch-trained Anglophile in third. Favored Missed the Lower , making his second begin since transferring from California to the barn of Cherie DeVaux, checked in eighth.
A homebred for his homeowners, Jeffrey Amling and Merriebelle Secure, 5-year-old Utah Seaside is out of the a number of stakes-producing Lasting Approval mare, My Personal Story. Promoting for simply $10,500 as a yearling, My Personal Story has confirmed to be a gem of a broodmare, now producing three black-type stakes winners. Along with Utah Seaside, she beget the graded stakes-winning Quick Bullet gelding Actual Story , who was additionally skilled by Correas for Amling and Merriebelle and went onto financial institution $349,592, in addition to My Afleet (Afleet Alex), winner of the 2014 Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs.
Video: VisitLEX Elkhorn S. (G2T)
