WinStar Farm LLC’s Gemologist exited his 1 3/4-length victory in Saturday’s
85th running of the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club in good order, according to
Michael McCarthy, assistant trainer to Todd Pletcher.
“He came out of the race well,” McCarthy said. “He’ll go to WinStar Farm on
Monday for a brief freshening and then make his way down to Palm Meadows.”
A two-year-old son of Tiznow, Gemologist improved his record to a perfect
three-for-three and increased his earnings to $145,855 in the Kentucky Jockey
Club. There are currently no plans for his next start.
The Kentucky Jockey Club was the co-featured event on Saturday’s Stars of
Tomorrow II program at Churchill Downs, with the 68th running of the Grade 2
Golden Rod, which was won by Anita Cauley’s homebred On Fire Baby. A
two-year-old gray daughter of Smoke Glacken, On Fire Baby won the Golden Rod in
gate-to-wire fashion by 6 1/4 lengths.
“It was an excellent performance and she’s doing well this morning,” trainer
Gary Hartlage said. “She’ll head to Oaklawn Park on Thursday morning and the
goal is to be back here (at Churchill Downs) in the spring (for either the
Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks).”
On Fire Baby became just the seventh two-year-old filly to sweep the Grade 2
Pocahontas and Golden Rod and improved her record to 3-0-0 from four career
starts with earnings of $227,329.
Another impressive winner on Saturday’s card was John Gunther and Eurowest
Bloodstock’s Indian Ambush, who won the 7TH race by two lengths at the 3-2
favorite for trainer Bill Mott. A two-year-old son of Indian Charlie, Indian
Ambush was doing well Sunday morning will be sent to Florida on Monday. He will
be stabled at Mott’s barn at Gulfstream Park or Payson Park.
Other winners Saturday who will be shipped to Gulfstream Park this week
include Elm Tree Farm’s Callmenancy, winner of the 2ND race on the Matt Winn
Turf Course for trainer Ken McPeek, and McKee Stables Inc.’s King Kid, who took
the finale by two lengths for trainer Dale Romans. Both two-year-olds exited
their races in fine order.