Kafister earns spot in Pirate's Bounty

DEL MAR, Calif. – Kafister has a way to go before catching trainer David Bernstein’s best claim, but with his 12th victory Wednesday at Del Mar, Kafister earned a right to try joining Grade 1 winner Unfurl the Flag as former claiming horses Bernstein turned into stakes winners.

Kafister earned a career-high 95 Beyer Speed Figure in winning an optional-claiming sprint at Del Mar on Wednesday in 1:14.73 for 6 1/2 furlongs. He also earned a berth in the $75,000 Pirate’s Bounty Stakes, a 5 1/2-furlong restricted stakes on Sept. 5, closing day of the summer meet.

A 6-year-old gelding, Kafister has come a long way since Bernstein claimed him for $20,000 in March 2014. Since then, he has won seven races and $267,200 from 17 starts.

“He’s got some issues, but he’s a genuine racehorse,” Bernstein said. “And he’s very fast. He can go 21 and change if you ask him. He should be competitive at 5 1/2.”

Bernstein credits assistant trainer Tony Torres, groom Yolanda Winney, and exercise rider Michael Martinez for helping manage the gelding’s problematic feet.

“They’ve done a marvelous job,” Bernstein said.

Kafister is owned by longtime Bernstein clients Alan Aidekman and Gaylord Ailshie. Ailshie was part-owner of Unfurl the Flag, whom Bernstein claimed from his second start for $40,000. The horse won $647,935 and the Grade 1 Triple Bend Handicap in 2005. Aidekman and Ailshie also campaigned Truly a Judge. He won nine races, including two graded stakes, and more than $700,000 after Bernstein claimed him for $20,000.

Bernstein’s best horse was The Wicked North, the millionaire three-time Grade 1 winner ridden by Kent Desormeaux, who also rides Kafister. Bernstein, whose stable is down to three horses, is confident that Desormeaux will ride Kafister back in the Pirate’s Bounty.

“He really likes him,” Bernstein said. “He gave him a kiss in the winner’s circle.”