Next stop Woodward Stakes for Foster winner Ron the Greek
The 5-year-old horse, Ron the Greek, owned in partnership with Wachtel Stable, Borus Stable, and breeder Jack T. Hammer, is now pointed toward the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at the Saratoga Race Course on 1 September, 2012, said owner Adam Wachtel.
Bill Mott’s trainee is coming on the back of a magnificent victory in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs, where after gruelling rally, Ron the Greek downed the heavy favourite Wise Dan by a head to win the 1 1/8 mile event in 1 minute
and 50.51 seconds, as Nates Mineshaft finished third on 16 June, 2012.
There was a possibility of running Ron the Greek in the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap – this summer at Saratoga Race Course, but the idea was scratched.
The Woodward Stakes naturally gives Ron the Greek time to rest and plan out his work routines leading up to the race in contrast to the Whitney Handicap – which is set to take place a month earlier than the Woodward on 4 August, 2012.
The Stephen Foster Handicap is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” event, and winning the race has given the son of Full Mandate an automatic berth in the Grade 1, $5million Breeders’ Cup Classic this fall at Santa Anita Park.
The 2011 edition of the Breeders’ Cup Classic was won by, Drosselmeyer.
“We always thought if we could get lucky enough to win this, we’d put him away for the summer,” Watchtel remarked. “But in talking to Bill on the flight back we decided we’ll probably run him this summer.”
In preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Ron the Greek will run in the Woodward Stakes, and then use the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup as the final stepping stone to Santa Anita Park on 3 November.
“Waiting for the Whitney would give us almost two months from the Stephen Foster, and I think it’s about another seven weeks to the Gold Cup after that,” Wachtel said. “If he’s not ready for the Whitney, we can wait until the Woodward. We’ve spread his races
out pretty well this year.”
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