Amelia's Wild Ride wins Woodford; Shore Runner euthanized
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Amelia's Wild Ride used a front-running trip to avoid trouble, kicking clear in the stretch to win a spill-marred edition of the $150,000 Woodford Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday.
The Woodford was originally carded for Keeneland’s turf course as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in four weeks. The race was moved to the main track because of rain in the Lexington area throughout the last four days. Originally a Grade 3, the race was automatically downgraded because of the surface switch. It could be reinstated pending review by the American Graded Stakes Committee.
Under Jose Lezcano, Amelia's Wild Ride ($31.80) was away quickly toward the inside of the bulky field of 12 and sizzled through opening splits of 22.95 and 44.88 seconds over the muddy track. The colt shook clear around the final turn and easily held sway, winning by 2 1/2 lengths and stopping the clock in 1:02.97 for the 5 1/2 furlongs on a course officially rated muddy.
"He broke fast so I let him do his thing and he kept going," Lezcano said. "It was pretty easy."
This was the third stakes win of the season for Amelia's Wild Ride but his first score since taking the Pennsylvania Governor's Cup on May 30. He had lost three straight since. The 4-year-old colt is trained by Ramon Preciado for Silver Trail Stables.
Shore Runner, sent away as the favorite, broke down in midstretch while racing in seventh, sending Kendrick Carmouche to the ground; Speechify and Shaun Bridgmohan could not avoid the fallen horse and rider. Carmouche, who was seen moving his legs while down on the track, was transported to the University of Kentucky hospital for X-rays and evaluation after complaining of chest pain. Bridgmohan, who complained of pain in his left ankle, did walk off the track but took off his mounts for the rest of the afternoon.
Shore Runner was euthanized with a limb injury. The gelding had won four consecutive races, including a pair of stakes, since being claimed by Joe Sharp earlier this year. Speechify, who ran off, appeared to escape serious injury, his connections said.