McPeek pulling double duty

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For Kentucky horse trainers, there’s probably no busier time of year than this week. Not only are Churchill Downs and Kentucky Downs conducting race meets, but there are future prospects to be scouted and purchased at the Keeneland September yearling sale.

Ken McPeek is among those racking up serious miles on Kentucky highways. McPeek is heavily involved on all fronts, particularly at the sales, which he long has maintained he enjoys most. On Friday night, McPeek happened to be at the National Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association annual awards dinner at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm when the last of the Hill ‘n’ Dale stallions was paraded out for the viewing pleasure of partygoers at the Lexington-area breeding showplace.

“I think I recognize that one,” McPeek said, tongue planted firmly in cheek.

It was Curlin, who recently was moved to Hill ‘n’ Dale after a sensational start to his stud career at Lane’s End. McPeek, on behalf of the Midnight Cry Stable, bought Curlin as a yearling in 2005 for $57,000. A whole lot of water has passed under the proverbial bridge in the decade that has passed, but McPeek remains proud that Curlin went on to become the all-time leading Thoroughbred earner in North America with a career bankroll of more than $10.5 million.

Not satisfied to rest on that laurel, McPeek has been dividing his time between devising a shortlist of 2015 yearlings and seeing his stable do well again after an 0-for-30 whitewash at Saratoga. On Saturday at Churchill, McPeek won the Grade 2 Pocahontas Stakes with Dothraki Queen while also sending out Rated R Superstar (Iroquois) and Flashy American (Locust Grove) to runner-up finishes.

“It was a big day for us,” said McPeek.

Dothraki Queen likely will run back Oct. 2, opening day of the Keeneland fall meet, in the Alcibiades, a Grade 1 race McPeek already has won three times during his 30-year training career. Rated R Superstar will run the following day in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity, while Flashy American is possible for the Grade 1 Spinster on Oct. 4.

Flashy American “is in foal to Orb, and the Locust Grove was supposed to be her last race, but if she acts like she wants to go one more time, we’ll let her,” said McPeek.