American Pharoah en route to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
This year’s Breeders’ Cup not only marks a return to Keeneland Race Course, it also means it’s been five years since the event was last held at the Lexington, Ky., track, producing what was one of the most memorable editions in its history.
In the Breeders’ Cup Buzz, we’re asking some notable Thoroughbred industry names about their experiences with the event and a few hypothetical questions tied to the races.
This week, we asked participants in the upcoming Breeders’ Cup to look back at the last time the card was held at Keeneland and recall what memories have stuck with them in the time between.
To view previous editions of the Breeders’ Cup Buzz, click here.
Valorie Lund – Trainer
“American Pharoah winning the Classic was awesome. He was doing something that will probably never done again in many years, if ever.”
Aron Wellman – Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
“Selfishly, we had a runner that year in the Distaff, Curalina. She put up a really game effort to be third behind Stopchargingmaria and Stellar Wind. That was my most vivid memory.”
Harlan Malter – Ironhorse Racing Stable
“I had 2 1/2 to get from Lexington, Ky., to Shelbyville, Ind., to make it from the end of American Pharoah’s Classic win to Bucchero’s first stakes win as a 3-year-old in the To Much Coffee at Indiana Grand. I’m a big planner, and I was sitting next to my partner saying, ‘I don’t think we can wait until American Pharoah crosses the finish line.’ We had to make a beeline to the car because other people would be trying to leave. I had so much excitement for American Pharoah’s race, and I thank him for winning it so convincingly, because we legitimately headed into the tunnel when he passed us, and we were able to get to the car. We arrived in Shelbyville as Bucchero was walking into the paddock. It was the first stakes win for Ironhorse.”
Carlos Martin – Trainer
“American Pharoah putting on a show in the final race of his career, and destroying the field. He was just a magical horse. I was a big fan of his, and to watch him go out to Keeneland and dominate the way he did, and the reception he got, it was just a special, special day.”
Jerry Crawford – Donegal Racing
“Donegal Racing had over 125 people at the races that day, and I think that was my biggest memory. It was the year Keen Ice won the Travers, beating American Pharoah, and we, of course, were hoping that he’d repeat that feat in the Classic. That wasn’t meant to be, but it was still a very exciting summer and fall of racing.”
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