There have been smiles throughout Jose D’Angelo’s barn at Kentucky Downs the morning of Sept. 8, and for good motive.
Not solely did the lightly-raced Howard Wolowitz nail down a victory within the $1,176,600 Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1T) Sept. 7, however Kentucky Downs will now choose up the $30,000 test gathered by the Breeders’ Cup pre-entry and entry charges ought to the 3-year-old colt draw into the World Championships.
“(The Breeders’ Cup) was the unique plan. This race, and if he ran an enormous race, possibly the Breeders’ Cup,” D’Angelo mentioned Sunday morning. “I used to be certain that he was an ideal horse and he proved it yesterday. Now he will make his personal plans.”
Coach @JFDAngelo along with his first grade 1 winner #HowardWalowitz the morning after successful the Franklin-Simpson at @KYDownsRacing pic.twitter.com/wDHOhBRJdb
— Sean Collins (@BH_SCollins) September 8, 2024
Proprietor Al Gold of Gold Sq. mentioned they’ve had excessive hopes for the son of Munnings  since bloodstock brokers Sean Summers and Joe Hardoon picked him out for $240,000 on the 2022 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale. After debuting in March at Gulfstream Park within the barn of Brittany Russell, Howard Walowitz moved to D’Angelo’s operation close to the tip of the observe’s Championship Meet. D’Angelo acknowledged the horse’s expertise, however felt like there was extra to be unveiled.
“I felt like he might do higher,” D’Angelo mentioned. “I attempted the horse on the grass and he moved so totally different to me.”
In his first begin with D’Angelo June 22, Howard Wolowitz added blinkers and switched to the tapeta, successful a five-furlong maiden occasion by 7 3/4 lengths. Leaping into stakes firm within the Mahony Stakes at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 11, the colt skilled site visitors all through and by no means obtained to indicate his true potential whereas ending fourth, crushed 1 1/4Â lengths.
“Very unfortunate journey, he by no means obtained within the clear,” D’Angelo mentioned of the Mahony.
The end did not smash D’Angelo’s confidence within the colt, and he was sure the lengthy stretch of Kentucky Downs can be to Howard Wolowitz’s liking.
Howard Wolowitz wins the Franklin-Simpson Stakes at Kentucky Downs
The Franklin-Simpson was the primary grade 1 contest ever held on the Franklin, Ky., observe, the primary grade 1 victory for D’Angelo, and, in fact, the primary grade 1 for Howard Wolowitz.
“It is the primary time for everyone,” D’Angelo joked. “All people was a (grade 1) maiden till yesterday.”
The grade 1 victory capped a monumental week for the coach, who earned his United States citizenship earlier within the week. As soon as a number one coach in Venezuela, D’Angelo moved to the USAÂ in 2019.
The next yr he educated Jesus’ Staff to placings in each the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Dust Mile (G1) earlier than ending third within the 2021 Pegasus World Cup (G1). Jesus’s Staff earned over $1.3 million in D’Angelo’s care.
“He is a really hard-working man. He is very devoted, that is what he wished to do all his life” Gold mentioned of D’Angelo. “I all the time want him one of the best and am very joyful he has this horse to coach.”
“All of the laborious work pays off,” D’Angelo mentioned. “Thanks to all my workforce, they work so laborious. (Thanks to) the workforce, the horses, the homeowners, for the assist. It isn’t straightforward.”
D’Angelo additionally skilled the issue of the game Saturday when Twirling Queen , who is an ideal 4-for-4 this season and winner of three consecutive stakes, failed to attract in off the also-eligible listing for the Music Metropolis Stakes (G2T).
“I prefer to make plans with the horses. For 2 months, these two races had been the aim for them,” D’Angelo mentioned. “I used to be very certain that each horses had been going to win the race.”
Following her victory within the July 12 Coronation Cup Stakes at Saratoga, D’Angelo skipped the observe’s $150,000 Galway Stakes Aug. 10 in favor of the Music Metropolis. As an alternative, he missed each races for the reason that Twirling Sweet  filly had no graded wins or placings to assist qualify for the $2 million race.
“It was very unfortunate, however I study,” D’Angelo mentioned. “All the pieces that occurs, it’s a must to study. It is essential to have nice horses and make plans to make it occur. It’s what it’s, the horses are good and that is an important.”
Whereas Twirling Queen reroutes to a dash race at both Presque Isle Downs or Keeneland, Howard Wolowitz will doubtless practice as much as the Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash (G1T).
“He had an enormous effort,” D’Angelo mentioned. “Almost definitely, he’ll go straight there. He is good (Sunday morning), joyful, consuming candies.”
Jose D’Angelo feeds Howard Wolowitz a peppermint
The Breeders’ Cup might be a tall job for the younger colt. He’ll face older horses for the primary time, together with Cogburn , who additionally received Saturday at Kentucky Downs within the Ainsworth Turf Dash (G2T). Cogburn is owned partly by Clark Brewster, a great good friend of Gold’s.
“Working in opposition to older horses might be a problem,” D’Angelo mentioned. “Cogburn is a really good horse, he has the expertise and every part. However (Howard Wolowitz) is growing.”
Though the Breeders’ Cup is the present goal, D’Angelo is already dreaming of subsequent summer time along with his new star. This summer time, the coach took his 2-year-old Gabaldon to Royal Ascot the place he completed second by a nostril within the Windsor Fortress Stakes. Gold and D’Angelo bought one other horse in France with Royal Ascot in thoughts. Gold mentioned he can be open-minded concerning the journey with Howard Wolowitz ought to the colt proceed to progress.
“I’ve to return there and win some races,” D’Angelo mentioned. “(Howard Wolowitz) is the type of horse (to go to Ascot). He matches good to us, he has every part.”
