COME AROUND adds to the excitement and graduates at Saratoga

The well named Midshipman gelding COME AROUND, came around to break his maiden at Saratoga after overcoming a series of obstacles to get to the wire in the lead. He is owned by Sagamore Farm and was bred by Stephen Jacobs, With his  win and a second, he has earned almost $50,000. He added the final touch to a great day of racing at the Spa for Kirkwood Stables prepared horses.

Red Jacket Ceremony honoring Hall of Fame Trainer Bill Mott and inventor of the thoroughbred racing partnership, Cot Cambell was followed immediately by the HIT IT ONCE MORE STAKES win

The HIT IT ONCE MORE Saratoga stakes win followed right on the heels of the Red Jacket Ceremony which honored Hall of Fame Trainer Bill Mott and the true inventor of the thoroughbred racing partnership, Cot Cambell. Led by NYRA CEO Chris Kay, the ceremony took place next to the winner’s circle. It featured short speeches but wonderful documentary films on both recipients.

Bill Parcells’ colt wins Albany Stakes at Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Prepped and Sold by Kirkwood Stables

Bill Parcells stood in Saratoga’s winner’s circle, looking as happy as you’ve ever seen him, except after playoff and Super Bowl victories.

The Hall of Fame coach had just watched his colt Hit It Once More dominate Friday’s $250,000 Albany Stakes for New York-breds, leading throughout a 3 3⁄4-length runaway the way a 4-5 favorite is supposed to. Congratulating him were Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a longtime friend, and people chanting “Let’s go, Giants!”

“Lots of Giants fans here,” Parcells said.

He grinned and shook his fist at Kendrick Carmouche, whom he hugged after the jockey dismounted. Carmouche minimized stress by taking the lead entering the first turn and setting slow fractions before drawing off at the eighth pole.

Trainer Gary Sciacca loved the looks of the son of Hard Spun, who cost Parcells $90,000 at an auction in May 2015. “Gary went over budget, but he told me to keep bidding,” Parcells said. “He kept saying, ‘Hit it once more,’ and that’s how the horse got his name.”

Hit It Once More paid $3.90 after running 1 1⁄8 miles in 1:50.38 on a track rated good after overnight rain. He earned $150,000 for his fourth win in 10 starts, raising his career total to $355,202. Stablemate Jet Black finished fourth, which was worth $12,500 to Parcells.

Sciacca said he’s leaning toward the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 24 for Hit It Once More’s next race. “He’s a big, good-looking horse, and he’s for real,” said Sciacca, who ended an 0-for-32 slump at the meeting.

Parcells said his August Dawn Farm owns 15 horses, including “seven or eight” New York-breds. He was asked to compare coaching football with running thoroughbreds.

“Football is easier because you can do something that can affect the game,” Parcells told Newsday. “Here, once they get into the gate, you can’t do anything.”

MSW and Kirkwood, purchased, prepared and consigned, HIT IT ONCE MORE wins 2nd stakes race in a row

Three year old Hard Spun colt HIT IT ONCE MORE wired the field in the the NY Derby at Finger Lakes last month drawing off to win by over 6 lengths. He did it all over again at Saratoga in the Albany S. and won by an easy 3 lengths on the lead from gate to wire.  HIT IT ONCE MORE was purchased for $90,000 as a two year old  by his trainer Gary Sciacca acting as  agent for August Dawn Farm. He  was bred by  JMJ Racing Stables, LLC. His bankroll stands at $355,202.

Good day racing for Kirkwood Stables

Other than a race in which he stumbled and lost his rider, DUVAL had won 4 races in a row at PARX. This time he took the lead out of the gate, jumped the tracks and lost the lead briefly but regained it for the win. He is owned by Ten Strike Racing and was bred by  Mark Reid & DDS Stables. Duval has earned $312,95.

On the same day at Gulfstream Dominate won for his owner Purple Haze Stable and upped his earnings over $155,000.  And add to that a good second at Delaware Park for 2 YO first time starter Mr Grey by Mr. Sidney bred by the  Haras Du Quesnay and woned by Circle E Racing and Ghislaine Head.