Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) winner Nobel Prize and his stablemate was as agile and talented as he was. One hour both will run in Kentucky Downs‘The $2 million Ainsworth Turf Sprint (G2T) is on September 7, trainer Larry Rivelli said.
Of course, Rivelli said the same thing last year. One Timer actually ran in Kentucky, losing the Turf Sprint by six furlongs to Driver on a bobbing head in a four-horse photo after winning Kentucky Downs’ Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G2) in 2022 as a 3-year-old. Meanwhile, Rivelli switched Nobals at the last minute Downs Colony with the $150,000 Da Hoss Stakes, which the gelding won en route to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
“Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah,” Rivelli said cheerfully of last year’s change. “This year it’s $2 million. … That’s a lot of money, it’s very possible” he’ll run both.
The Kentucky Downs all-turf tournament will take place on August 29, 31 and September 1, 5, 7, 8 and 11.
With prize money doubled this year to $2 million for Kentucky stallions and $1 million for all other horses, the Ainsworth Turf Sprint is both a stepping stone to the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and a goal in its own right. The winner of the Ainsworth will earn a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on November 2 at Del Mar is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and you’re in.
Both Nobals and One Timer have only raced once this year. Nobals finished fourth by three-quarters of a length in the race on July 28. Saratoga allowance race. One Timer, who was not selected for the Breeders’ Cup field last year, finished second in the Hawthorne RacewayRobert S. Molaro Memorial on the same day in its first outing since Kentucky Downs.
Rivelli said the break was planned in advance.
“I’m just trying to prepare for the whole race that’s coming up here,” he said. “I know it’s impossible to keep them going for a whole year. We’re just aiming for the end of the year, which is Kentucky Downs with all this money and then the Breeders’ Cup.
“To be honest, they’re doing better than last year. Their last race, I was a little disappointed with both of them but there’s really no reason, no excuses. I was prepared for them, at least I think. Nobals had a (poor) ride, hung around and didn’t really run the race he wanted to run and was only beaten three-quarters of a length. But on a grass track, two lengths is like eight lengths on dirt. You see horses a neck apart, a head, a neck, a neck, that kind of thing. We were at the top last year (in the Breeders’ Cup), so I’m fine. If you had to say you could be fourth in a handicap race and win the Breeders’ Cup, I’d say that.
“But they’re both doing really well. I hope the second race after the break is no excuse. They’ll be tight, they’ll be fresh. They were in it last time, but maybe they just need one race. The horse (Mischievous Rogue) that beat One Timer at Hawthorne was the only horse in the race that looked like it had a chance to beat us, and he did.”
Vincent Foglia’s Patricia’s Hope owns all of Nobals and half of One Timer, while regular partner Richard Ravin owns the other half of One Timer.
“They’re pretty similar horses, if you look at their history,” Rivelli said. “They’re not necessarily five-eighths. Nobals broke the track record at Woodbine by three-quarters. One Timer won by 6 1/2 at Kentucky Downs. Three-quarters, 6 1/2, I wouldn’t mind running either. My horses have such natural speed that I think they’ll lead without a lot of company like in a five-eighth race, where everyone has to run, run, run.”
Pedigree Notes: One Timer is the first foal born Blame mare Spanish Star His second foal was the winner of the Iowa Oaks. Just sunbathe third place finisher in the 1 1/4-mile Alabama (G1) race at Saratoga Race Course on August 17.
Rivelli, of Chicago, plans to run more horses at Kentucky Downs than he has in the past. He hopes to run 2-for-2. Shezafunkydrummer and runner-up Ellis Park Debutante Rich City Girl in a 2-year-old horse’s debut on turf. Dear friend Shezafunkydrummer and Homie, who are just coming off a win on grass at the Horseshoe Indianapolis, will also be eyeing a race. Shezafunkydrummer and Homie were set to run in the canceled Woodbine grass stakes on Saturday. Rivelli said they will now train until the Kentucky Downs races.
Kentucky Downs’ four 2-year-old races are all $1 million for Kentucky-bred horses ($500,000 for other horses).
“It’s unbelievable,” said Rivelli. “You can retire them if they win, make their whole career. It’s great there. There are so many horses in every race, the betting is so good. The prize money is great, so many people come to run. I love it. I’m a fan.”
This press release has been edited for content and style by the BloodHorse team.
