Audible ends layoff with Cherokee Run triumph
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The thrill ride is not over for Justify's ownership group. Although the 2018 Triple Crown winner’s racing days are over – having been retired to stand at Ashford Stud – his owners are still represented by Audible, who on Saturday at Churchill Downs returned from a six-month layoff to win the $200,000 Cherokee Run Stakes on the Breeders’ Cup undercard.
Making his first start since a third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, Audible never looked in need of a race in making his comeback. Though he lacked the speed to keep up with the early leaders, he still seemed to be traveling comfortably when in eighth, less than four lengths off the early pace, in the seven-furlong Cherokee Run.
Following fractions of 22.75 seconds and 45.69 set by frontrunner Principe Guilherme, Audible made his move on the turn. He advanced four to five wide, took the lead by the eighth pole, and drew clear for a two-length victory while appearing to idle late.
Honorable Treasure rallied from midpack to be second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of pacesetting Principe Guilherme.
Audible’s victory resulted in a crowded winner’s circle celebration by the colt’s many owners – led by WinStar Farm and China Horse Club, and including Starlight Racing, and Head of Plains Partners. The latter two partners bought into the ownership of Audible, as well as Justify, as part of a package deal earlier this spring.
“We were looking forward to getting him started and he delivered the race we were hoping for,” trainer Todd Pletcher said.
A 3-year-old son of Into Mischief, he raced seven furlongs in 1:22.46, leaving jockey Javier Castellano pleased with his race.
“The way he did it today - the right way, come from behind horses, and finished strong,” he said. “I look forward with him in the future.”
That future will likely come at Gulfstream Park. Planned next is a stretch-out to a route in the Grade 3 Harlan’s Holiday there Dec. 15 from which he could return in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 26, Pletcher said.
Audible, who paid $4.60 as the Cherokee Run favorite, won the Grade 3 Holy Bull and Grade 1 Florida Derby over the Gulfstream surface earlier this year.
