Weiland prevails in Kentucky Juvenile Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer John Ennis and jockey Carlos Villasana teamed up to score their first career stakes victories in memorable fashion, as Weiland outgamed Myhotrodlincoln in a long drive to win the $100,000 Kentucky Juvenile by a head on Thursday at Churchill Downs.

The colt scored the breakthrough win in front of a record crowd of 48,134 for Churchill’s popular “Thurby” program preceding Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby days.

“He’s a very honest, gutsy horse, and there’s more to come,” Ennis said of his new stable star.

Ennis, a 36-year-old former steeplechase jockey from Ireland, moved to the U.S. eight years ago and is based at Keeneland year round. He also owns Weiland, a Yes It's True colt whom he purchased for just $7,000 out of last October's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall yearling sale. The colt was fifth on debut last month at Keeneland.

“He's very correct, he's very professional,” Ennis said. “He had a great mind in the sales ring, and he had a lovely swagger, lovely walk. He just looked like a racehorse.”

Weiland ($41.40) and Villasana sat in second, a length back, as Myhotrodlincoln took the field through a sharp opening quarter of 22.53 seconds. Weiland moved up on the leader’s flank to apply pressure around the turn, and poked a head in front in upper stretch. Myhotrodlincoln, under Robby Albarado, grimly battled back, and the two tested one another to the wire. Weiland got the upper hand in the final stages for the victory, stopping the clock in 59.32 seconds for five furlongs on a fast track.

After the top two, it was 2 1/4 lengths back to Baytown Macca, who edged favored Luv This Lifestyle by a head for third. Derby City, Blazin Liason, and Mr. Granite rounded out the order of finish. Shanghaied Roo was a late scratch after acting up in the post parade and unseating his rider, then experiencing muscle cramping while warming up.

As for Weiland, Ennis said he has no immediate plans for the colt, other than to turn him out in a paddock and "let him be a horse" for about two weeks before considering summer and fall targets.

Mr Cub prevails in Opening Verse Stakes

Earlier on the card, Mr Cub held off First Premio to win the $70,000 Opening Verse overnight stakes on the turf.

Mr Cub ($6.80), sent away as the favorite, stalked the pace in third under Chris Landeros. He forged his way to the lead at the top of the stretch, and then held sway to win by 1 1/4 lengths. He finished the mile in 1:34.69 on turf rated firm.

This was the second consecutive win for Mr Cub, who came in off a victory in an allowance on April 12 at Keeneland for trainer Ian Wilkes. The gelding was Grade 3-placed last fall on the Churchill Downs turf.

After First Premio, it was four lengths back to Flatlined, who rallied to edge Colonelsdarktemper by a half-length for the third position.