West Point, others buy maiden winner Septimius Severus

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The 2-year-old Septimius Severus, who won his career debut by a nose at Aqueduct on Nov. 24, has been purchased privately by West Point Thoroughbreds, Dean and Patti Reeves, and Randy Hill. He has been transferred to trainer George Weaver.

Terry Finley, head of West Point, said he was looking to get another 2-year-old to potentially put on the Triple Crown trail. Weaver trained Thunder’s Honor, the horse Septimius Severus beat that day. Weaver made a phone call to Charlton Baker, trainer of Septimius Severus, and the wheels were put in motion to get a deal done. Septimius Severus, a Pennsylvania-bred son of Roman Ruler, was owned by Kenia Lezcano’s Happy Face Racing Stable.

“I thought he ran well,” Finley said. “He looks and acts like he wants to go farther. It wasn’t an exorbitant [price]. We’ll take him to Florida to Palm Beach Downs and we’ll see where he lands.”

Septimius Severus earned an 83 Beyer Speed Figure for his win.