“Our team mantra is ‘Have fun and make money,’ in that order. And this horse allows us to do that, with our best friends. We are over the moon.” Luke Bourque texted that message on Thursday evening, May 14, after SOLEIL VOLANT captured an optional allowance at Churchill Downs. Bred in Kentucky by G. Watts […]
Tag: Karakontie (JPN)
Roja Start to Finish
In her first start since her victory in Monmouth Park’s Blue Sparkler Stakes last July 12, ROJA went off as the 4/5 favorite in an optional allowance at Churchill Downs this afternoon. And she ran like one. Nine older fillies & mares went postward for the 5-furlong dash on the turf, with Roja having the […]
Soleil Volant All Heart in Kent Stakes Win
He’s always knocking on the door….and today SOLEIL VOLANT earned his stakes win in the $150,000 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park. And we have to preface this one by saying that the partners who own him – Luke Bourque, Jacques Dupuis, Jr. and Bobby Sutton – are undoubtedly over the moon about their boy’s victory! […]
Roja’s Day At The Beach
It was all red and blue at the Jersey Shore today as ROJA put in a dominant performance to win the $100,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes at Monmouth Park. The 3-year-old filly by Karakontie (JPN) has been consistent in her five career starts, all of which have been in 2025 as she was unraced at 2. […]
Painting The Town Red
Photo by Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club Her dam’s name is Redmeansgo, and ROJA did exactly what Momma said today, breaking her maiden at Laurel Park in her third career start, her first on the turf. She was sent off as the 7-5 favorite in the 5 1/2 furlong contest with Jaime Rodriquez aboard. Today’s race […]
Soleil Volant Graduates at Delaware Park
If anyone’s looking for a party tonight, we’re pretty sure we know of one. The owners of SOLEIL VOLANT – Luke Bourque, Jacques Dupuis, Jr. and Bobby Sutton – are no doubt celebrating his maiden-breaking win today. The partners acquired the 2-year-old son of Karakontie (JPN) and Valentine Wish (by Lemon Drop Kid) at last […]
Memorialize Wins Aqueduct’s Tepin Stakes
It was a productive afternoon for Gainesway at Aqueduct, with MEMORIALIZE capturing the Tepin Stakes. She was ridden again today Manny Franco, who was aboard in her last start, the Miss Grillo Stakes-G2 on October 4. After a bothersome trip that day, she finished 5th to eventual Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf-G1 winner Hard To […]
An Afternoon with the Ladies in Lexington
I was fortunate to enjoy several days in beautiful Lexington, Kentucky last week, highlighted by a visit to Gainesway Farm to check in with some of Herringswell’s best-known mares. As these ladies are all fan favorites, I wanted to share some images. First stop was MEAN MARY, who returned to Gainesway earlier this summer after […]
“Spendarella turns it into a procession”
Photos by Ernie Belmonte Her last race was Ascot’s Coronation Stakes in June where she finished a game and ultra-impressive second to champion European filly Inspiral. Today, Spendarella earned her Grade 1 crown in the Del Mar Oaks. Thirteen 3-year-old fillies entered the gate for the 1 1/8 miles contest on the Jimmy Durante turf […]
No Fairy Godmother Needed
Cinderella might have required an assist from a kindly old woman with a magic wand, but SPENDARELLA was the belle of her own ball this afternoon at Keeneland, winning the Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association-G2 with total authority. The spring meet’s first weekend has been plagued by temperamental weather, with patrons bundled against […]