Kumin hoping for another Whitmore-C Z Rocket exacta box
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Sol Kumin is a winner even when he gets beat. At least that’s been the case with his stable’s top two sprinters. Kumin and three of his partners are co-owners of both champion Whitmore and C Z Rocket, who will meet for the third time Saturday in the Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn.
“We’re going to try to do the exacta one more time,” Kumin said.
Whitmore won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint over C Z Rocket in November and one start later C Z Rocket flipped the script and won the Hot Springs Stakes over Whitmore in March at Oaklawn.
“They’re both such cool horses,” Kumin said. “I wish they could end up in different spots, but there’s only a few places for them this time of year. We’re excited for the race. We hope they can run one-two in some way.”
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Kumin and partners bought into C Z Rocket ahead of his win in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship in September and their Madaket Stables races him with Tom Kagele and Gary Barber. Florent Geroux has the mount for trainer Peter Miller.
Kumin and company, as Head of Plains Partners, own Whitmore with Robert LaPenta and trainer Ron Moquett. They have been in on the horse since he was 4. He is now 8 and has earned $4.2 million.
“He’s one of my favorite horses I’ve ever owned,” Kumin said. “He’s a real warrior. He’s got so much heart. The job Ron and his team have done with him is incredible, to come back each year and compete.”
Kumin is attacking this year’s Racing Festival of the South. On the card Saturday, he also has Hozier in the Arkansas Derby and Wells Bayou in the Oaklawn Mile. Next weekend, he will be represented by champion Monomoy Girl in the Apple Blossom Handicap and could have Warrior’s Charge in the Oaklawn Handicap.
“I’m going to come down to Oaklawn,” Kumin said. “Since the Breeders’ Cup, I’ve gone to one race at Gulfstream Park and was there for about an hour.”
Kumin said his children’s sports activities will keep him busy until he can break away for the Apple Blossom.