Modernstone gives Rubley first career stakes win

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Nearly a year and a half of frustration came to a swift end for her owners Saturday when Modernstone gave Kelly Rubley the first stakes victory of her training career on closing day at Kentucky Downs in south-central Kentucky.

Modernstone closed powerfully for a 29-1 upset in the Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon for the partnership of Wachtel Stable, Brous Stable, and Gary Barber. The 5-year-old British-bred mare had not finished better than fourth in her 11 previous North American starts.

“We were pretty excited when we bought her in England [in April 2014],” said managing partner Adam Wachtel. “But she got really sick after one of her first races here, and it was just one setback after another.”

After two subpar efforts in Canada this summer, Wachtel said Rubley came recommended to him by Bruce Jackson. Rubley, a 40-something (her words) former assistant to Barclay Tagg and Jimmy Toner, opened a public stable in December at Fair Hill in northern Maryland. The layout at Fair Hill is similar to that at Kentucky Downs, with rolling hills and wide-open spaces.

“I said, ‘Let’s send the mare down to Fair Hill and confuse her and make her think she’s back in Europe,’ ” said Wachtel. “Kelly had her there at Fair Hill for about six weeks training her European-style.”

Modernstone was eligible for the equivalent of just one-third of the purse at Kentucky Downs since $200,000 of the $300,000 purse was restricted to horses eligible to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.

“We knew we were taking the worst of it that way, but the main thing was to get the mare back in form,” said Wachtel. “I couldn’t be happier with how it worked out.”

Rubley, who grew up in upstate New York, said she watched the race via simulcast on the Laurel Park apron. It was her 11th win from 78 career starts. “I have to admit, it was very exciting,” she said.

Wachtel said Modernstone is expected to return to Kentucky for the Dowager Stakes on Oct. 18 at Keeneland.