“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 Humphrey, the 4-year-old Karatontie (JPN) gelding has an enthusiastic ownership group in Luke and partners Jacque Dupuis, Jr. and Bobby Sutton.

With Ben Curtis aboard, Soleil Volant bested a field of ten rivals going 1-3/8 miles on the turf. “Soleil Volant stalked along the inside, slipped through to bid inside of the leading pair leaving upper stretch then drove clear.” Their margin of victory was two lengths. This was career win number three for the winner of last September’s Kent Stakes at Delaware Park, increasing his earnings to $279,993.

A belated cheers to Luke, Jacques and Bobby (I’ve been on Preakness duty since last Wednesday so catching up here this morning). We know those gents were celebrating!