Canadian Elsewhere: Wins for McKnight, Carroll, Wright

One week after his talented older half-brother Striker won an allowance race at Tampa Bay Downs, 3-year-old SILVER PEAK won his maiden at the same track. The pair of Kentucky-bred greys are both owned by LNJ Foxwoods of Larry, Nanci and Jamie Roth and trained by top Woodbine trainer Josie Carroll. Striker (War Front) posted a 95 Beyer Figure when he won a one mile turf race on Feb. 12 and on Feb. 19, Silver Peak (Quality Road) also won a one-mile turf race, a maiden event, in his second career start and first race since his Woodbine debut last fall. Silver Peak earned 74 Beyer Figure according to Daily Racing Form.

Both greys are from the Roth’s mare Dreamologist by Tapit.

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Jamie Roth, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a degree in journalism and a Masters in sports business from New York University, joined Woodbine Entertainment’s board of directors in June 2022. Her family’s breeding and racing operation has risen to a major stable in less than five years and they have raced many horses at Woodbine including graded stakes winner Boardroom.

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At Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 22, Ontario-bred STRONGER TOGETHER won his maiden for Spruce Stables of Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson. Trained by Mike Wright and ridden by Woodbine jockey Keveh Nicholls, Stronger Together was making his first start on the dirt and won by 4 1/2 lengths in the $16,000 claiming event. The 4-year-old by Liam’s Map earned a 63 Beyer Figure.

Trainer Wright’s first winner of the Tampa meeting was PINO IN A PURSE, a daughter of Lea – Ek Haseena by Songandaprayer. Wright was glued to the simulcast of the Saudi Cup race card in Riyadh on Saturday as the 3-year-old half-brother to Pino in a Purse, COMMISSIONER KING, by Commissioner, was competing in the Saudi Derby (Group 3) at one mile on the dirt. Meeting up with hotshot American colt Havnameltdown, Commissioner King won the race by a head after a brilliant stretch duel for his third win in four races. Commissioner King has earned over $933,000.

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Owner/trainer NORM MCKNIGHT has been on a roll in the month of February at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Woodbine’s leading trainer in 2018 and 2019 and owner of the record for most wins in a Woodbine season (128) has had four winners this month including two Ontario-breds. McKnight, who trains Sovereign Award finalist War Bomber, won with Take Charge Gent for Newtop Stables and Colton’s Dream for Woodbine’s leading owner by wins, Bruno Schickedanz.

On Saturday, Feb. 24, McKnight sent out Ipsum Gratus to win a $25,000 claiming race for his Knightsbridge Stable and owner Anthony Froning. According to Equibase, it was the first winner for Froning.

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STEVEN CHIRCOP has 11 wins from 36 starters, a 31% win rate, in 2023. He is racing at Laurel, Penn National, and Parx. MARTIN DREXLER won his 5th race this winter on Sunday when Bruno Schickedanz’s LUCKY CURLIN dead-heated to win in a $50,000 optional turf race. JULIE MATHES, Fort Erie’s leading trainer, has won 5 races this year including 4 at Mahoning Valley.

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Impressive debut winning Ontario-bred 3-year-old GOLD MAGIC had his first workout since his big win and 87 Beyer Figure on Feb. 11 when working four furlongs in 49 breezing at Gulfstream on Sunday for trainer Kevin Attard. The Good Magic – Golden Amber by Gemologist colt is owned by Al and Bill Ulwelling and was bred by Saintsbury Farms, Inc. Gold Magic could be pointing to an allowance race at Gulfstream on March 11.

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The last foal of Sovereign Award finalist INCLUDE KATHERINE, Midnight Taxes, won his maiden at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 24. Include Katherine is up for Outstanding Broodmare for 2022, her second such nomination. Bred by Terra Farms, Include Katherine is the dam of champion Amalfi Coast. Midnight Taxes is an Arkansas-bred by Midnight Lute and he won a maiden special weight for state breds with a 78 Beyer Figure.