Some say records are meant to be broken.
But in order for them to break, they first need to be tied.
That’s what’s on the line June 3 at Churchill Downs When bango managed to match the record for most wins at the track by winning the six-feathered Aristides Stakes.
The nine victories of the local hero at Churchill Downs were surpassed only by Missile ready , who has won 10 times under the twin towers, with the last being the final of his 74 starts in 2012. One difference is that none of the Ready’s Rockets’ 10 wins. from a wagering contest. Bango has five such wins, including the last two by Aristides.
Last time, intern Greg Foley Bango took a five-match win at Churchill Stadium in St. Matthews Overnight Stakes.
“His record really speaks for itself,” says Foley. “He loved it about Churchill probably as much as I did. We were aiming for the record and that would be a really special achievement for all of us.”
Winning by difference is not easy, especially with opponents like Sibelius in the field of five.
Via Not this time , Sibelius finished third in eight of his last nine starts, topped by victory at Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) at Meydan Racecourse. That race included another Aristides competitor firearms third person.
However, Aristides delivers a rematch between Bango and Sibelius, who dueled in the Bet on Sunshine Stakes at Churchill last year. Taking that opportunity, Bango overcame Sibelius in the late stages to win 3/4 of the length.
“Our owners Fred and Debbie Schwartz bred and owned this horse,” Foley said of Bango. “I actually raced with the mother of this horse (Josaka.) It’s special when you have a horse from the Schwartz breeding program. It’s testament to their dedication to the sport.”
The other two opponents are Strava And Twisted Tejano .
Meanwhile, Audubon Stakes 1 1/8 mile long, $225,000 is headed by the son of Structure , Webslinger whose career income ($723,800) is greater than the income of the rest of the field in turf racing combined ($558,112).
Get out Spin hard mare Arana, the 3-year-old racehorse trained by Mark Casse succeeded in all four of his 2023 starts, 2-1-1. On his last appearance, Webslinger turned the odds 20-1 into a win in the American Turf Stakes (G2T).
One of his opponents on Saturday, Scoobie Quando , running in 11th place far in the American Turf. The son of Uncle Mo trying to get back on track since moving to a classified holding company. The 3-year-old started his career with a trio of finishes in first and second place. But then, 17-year-old cadet Ben Colebrook returned to Blue Grass Stakes (G1) against American Turf.
Another American Turf competitor looking to turn the tide is Desert duke . Kitten’s son Joy had consecutive wins before placing 13th at the American Turf.
Rounding the field is JP Race, Lazarus , March Mendelssohn And Sharar .
Item: Audubon S.
Churchill DownsSaturday, June 3, 2023, Race No. 7
- STK
- 1 1/8m
- pitch
- $225,000
- 3 years old
- 3:50pm (local)
Item: Aristides S.
Churchill DownsSaturday, June 3, 2023, Race 6
- STK
- 6f
- dust
- $225,000
- 4 years old and up
- 3:18pm (local)
