Handicappers have been known to lay a few dollars on a “horse for the course” but last weekend, Virginia-bred Chas’s Legacy solidified his position as not just a “horse for the course”, but a “horse for the month”. The 4 year old Bernardini gelding scored a big upset win in a $40,000 claiming race Sunday afternoon during his favorite month — November — and at his favorite track — Churchill Downs. All four of Chas’s Legacy’s career wins now have come at Churchill in the month of November. Horse playing bargain hunters found a gem sandwiched right between Black Friday and Cyber Monday with a whopping $53.40 payout (for a $2 win bet). His other wins were on November 14th and 23rd last year, and on November 7th, 2013.
Trainer Patrick Byrne has led Chas’s Legacy to 4 career wins, all in November and all at Churchill Downs
Bred by the Estate of Edward P. Evans, Chas’s Legacy faced nine other competitors in the one mile showdown. Sent off at 25-1, the winner came from behind after Ruble threatened to wire the field. Jockey Joe Rocco Jr. led the comeback up top, going three wide with his charge in the final turn before catching the frontrunner in the closing strides. Out of the Kingmambo mare Our Legacy, Chas’s Legacy crossed in 1:36.71 for three time Breeders’ Cup winning trainer Patrick Byrne.
Blue Mountain Cat was also victorious at Charles Town in a $10,500 holiday weekend claiming event at 4 1/2 furlongs Friday night. Bred by Grace Ritzenberg, the 6 year old Discreet Cat gelding connected in gate to wire fashion among a field of ten in which he was never threatened. The winner set an early pace along the rail, held a 4 1/2 cushion at the top of the stretch, then crossed 3 1/2 lengths over the rest in :53.09. Out of Silent Lea by Cherokee Run, Blue Mountain Cat was led by jockey Kevin Roman for owner/trainer Lee Couchenour.