Kentucky Downs: Rahystrada possible for Canadian International at Woodbine

Rahystrada, fresh from a dominating score in the Grade 3 Kentucky Cup Turf, could make his next start in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Canadian International at Woodbine on Oct. 16, trainer Scooter Hughes said Tuesday.

“I know it’s reaching pretty high, but he’s doing awfully well right now,” said Hughes. “We’ll be keeping tabs on the race in Canada, and if we end up not going, we might just run in the [Oct. 20] Sycamore at Keeneland.”

Rahystrada won the Sept. 10 KC Turf at Kentucky Downs by nearly four lengths and earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure, the 13th time in 14 races the 7-year-old gelding has earned a 90 or better.

Younger Clabes wins first race as trainer

Jacob Clabes posted the first victory of his training career when he sent out a 2-year-old filly named Kirby to a 6 3/4-length romp in the third race Sunday at Turfway.

Clabes, 35, is the son of Gene Clabes, for whom he worked as an assistant for several years before opening his own stable last year. The younger Clabes owns and trains five horses, all 2-year-olds, at the Thoroughbred Training Center in Lexington. The elder Clabes is a longtime horseman and the former equine director for the Kentucky Equine Education Project.

◗ Halfway through the 16-day fall meet, apprentice Roberto Morales continues to lead the Turfway jockey standings with 16 winners, followed by Victor Lebron with 11. Mike Maker (4 wins) and Kellyn Gorder (3) lead the trainers.