In 149 years of racing at Churchill Downs, no horse had ever gained greater than 11 races on the famed Louisville, Ky. oval.
Till now.
Bango took his rightful place in Churchill Downs lore Sept. 27 when he raced to a report twelfth victory below the Twin Spires. By capturing the third race, a $136,600 open allowance contest worthy of stakes standing, the son of Congrats turned the winningest horse in Churchill Downs historical past.
The 7-year-old tied Prepared’s Rocket’s report of 11 wins final fall at Churchill with a rating within the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes. He was then third within the Guess On Sunshine Stakes earlier than returning to complete unplaced in his two Churchill begins this yr within the St. Matthews In a single day and Kelly’s Touchdown Stakes. Coach Greg Foley gave the previous warrior a three-month mid-season freshening, and the bay slowly however absolutely discovered his method again to his previous kind.
“Within the spring he was coaching good and we thought we might get (the report) within the (St. Matthews In a single day) on Derby Thursday,” Foley stated. “He was doing nicely however he simply obtained mentally out of the sport there for just a little bit. We tried just a few little issues to attempt to get him again within the recreation. His works up to now three-four weeks have been phenomenal. He labored like he hadn’t misplaced a step. If he did not run (nicely) as we speak we most likely would have taken him residence.”
When the gates sprang open, jockey Tyler Gaffalione hustled Bango up the rail earlier than tucking right into a stalking journey behind pacesetters Angkhor and Spankster . Unfazed by the excessive headwinds or kilos of slop, courtesy of Hurricane Helene, Bango break up horses on the high of the lane and stormed forward of his rivals. He splashed to the wire in a 1:09.76 for the six furlongs, 2 1/4 lengths away from Angkhor.
“I simply need to congratulate Fred and Debb Schwartz,” Foley stated. The Schwartz’, the breeders of Bango, race the bay below the title Tamaroak Steady title. They campaigned Bango’s dam, the Sensible Strike mare Josaka, with Foley as nicely.
“I am simply so completely satisfied for them to have this horse. They have been so good to me for thus a few years. It is a special occasion.”
Friday’s race was the fifteenth profession tally for Bango in his 38 journeys to the submit. The Kentucky-bred, a ten-time stakes winner, has banked $1,617,891.
Bango might try to boost the already excessive bar a notch greater when he pursues his thirteenth win, and eighth Churchill stakes win, within the Nov. 2 $300,000 Guess On Sunshine Stakes.
“He is all the time been a pleasant, sound horse,” Foley stated. “The best way he ran as we speak I am positive we’ll be within the (Guess On Sunshine Stakes). He is gained it twice so perhaps he can win it 3 times. That is what we’ll shoot for.”
