McPeek goes for third Alabama win since 2018
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Kenny McPeek will seek his third victory in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes in six years when he sends out Defining Purpose in Saturday’s $600,000 race for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga.
McPeek won the Alabama in 2018 with Eskimo Kisses and again in 2020 with Swiss Skydiver, horses he was confident could handle the 1 1/4 miles of the race. He is hopeful, though not totally confident, Defining Purpose, who upset the Grade 1 Ashland at 20-1 in April and who is coming off a victory in the Indiana Oaks, can get the distance.
“I don’t think the distance will be a problem for her,” McPeek said. “I wouldn’t go into the race as confident as I was with Swiss Skydiver, and Eskimo Kisses was a setup race – it had to set up for her and it did. This filly will have to have things go her way, but she’s very capable. Couldn’t be bringing her over any better physically.”
Defining Purpose has worked three times in Saratoga, including a five-furlong move in 1:01.15 over the main track here last Friday.
The field for the Alabama was to be drawn Wednesday. Wet Paint, the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks winner, tops a field that is expected to include CCA Oaks runner-up Sacred Wish, Black-Eyed Susan winner Taxed, Julia Shining, Gambling Girl, Chocolate Gelato, and Fireline.
Ronald McPeek, breeder, dies at 83
Trainer Kenny McPeek’s father, Ronald G. McPeek, died Sunday in a VA hospital in Lexington, Ky., due to circulatory issues, his son said. He was 83.
Ronald McPeek, a homebuilder and developer in Lexington, owned Manor House Farm and bred horses. He bred two Grade 1 winners – Majesticperfection and Dr. Zic – as well as the listed stakes winner First Premio.
“He taught me how to read a pedigree, he was a student of pedigree, loved reading bloodlines,” Kenny McPeek said. “He inspired my interest in Thoroughbreds when I was young.”
◗ McPeek won Sunday’s first race at Saratoga with the first-time starter Wonder Ride, a daughter of Gun Runner out of the New York-bred stakes winner Wonderment, whom McPeek trained. McPeek said he would look to run Wonder Ride in the Grade 1 Spinaway here Sept. 3.
“We only had her 80 percent, she gutted it out which is fun to watch because she’s got a lot of sense,” McPeek said.
Wonder Ride earned a 72 Beyer Speed Figure.
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