Ol Winedrinker Who streaking into Veterans Stakes
Ol Winedrinker Who will attempt to win his fourth straight race on Monday when he takes on the Kentucky shipper Smack Smack and the multiple stakes winners Isn’t He Clever, Forest Mouse, and Rebranded in the $55,000 Veterans at Zia Park.
The Veterans, for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles, drew a field of seven. It is the local prep for the $150,000 Zia Park Distance Championship at 1 1/8 miles on the Land of Enchantment card Nov. 25. Ol Winedrinker Who, a past winner of that race, has been on top of his game this year. He began his streak in an allowance in May before taking the $150,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap in June and the $100,000 Ruidoso Downs Thoroughbred Championship in September.
“I think he’s as good as he’s ever been right now,” trainer Joel Marr said. “His last three starts have been three very good races against good competition. I think he’s doing as well as you could ask him to do. He’s just been very happy lately, and he’s training super.”
Veterans Stakes (Race 7)
KEY CONTENDERS
Ol Winedrinker Who (Last 3 Beyers: 86-88-87)
◗ He rallied for a 2 1/4-length win in the Ruidoso Thoroughbred Championship in his first start in nearly three months Sept. 7.
“He had to run pretty hard,” Marr said. “There was a horse that was loose on the lead, and he ran them down. He’s a very determined horse.”
◗ Ol Winedrinker Who will break from post 4 under regular rider Isaias Enriquez.
“He usually sits midpack to back in the rear, and he’ll make a big run from that quarter pole home,” Marr said. “That’s usually what he does, depending on the pace.”
◗ Ol Winedrinker Who is a candidate for the Distance Championship, said Marr. The horse has won 12 of 34 starts and $658,603 for his breeders, Sam and Latane Stevens.
Smack Smack (Last 3 Beyers: 87-97-87)
◗ Trainer Don Von Hemel said Smack Smack had been considered for a start in the Fayette Stakes, which was run Friday at Keeneland, and as such has been training at Churchill Downs.
◗ Smack Smack won the $175,000 Governor’s Cup in August at Remington Park and last out was third in the $175,000 Lukas Classic at Churchill.
◗ Shane Laviolette has the mount on Smack Smack from post 7 on Monday.