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2006 Jenny Wiley and Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes

Owner Tracy Farmer with Sun King in the winner's circle after the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Toyota Blue Grass Stakes Shakertown and Maker's Mark Mile Stakes

Date: 04/15/2006

There were two graded stakes events on the undercard of the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Race Course. The $443,200 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes (G2) featured 12 older horses sprinting seven furlongs on the main track. Kelly's Landing was sent off as the lukewarm 3-1 favorite off his allowance win last time out at Gulfstream Park. Also in the field were several alumni from last year's Triple Crown including 4-1 second choice Spanish Chestnut and 7-2 shot Sun King.

Corey Nakatani celebrates as Sun King win the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup.

9-1 shot Kazoo battled with Spanish Chestnut on the front end down the backstretch through a quarter in 21.81 and the half in 44.25 over the fast track. At the top of the stretch, Spanish Chestnut dropped back leaving Kazoo with a 2 1/2-length lead with a furlong to go. However Sun King, who had raced near the back of the pack early on, was closing fast and raced right past the pacesetter to win going away by 2 3/4 lengths, completing the 7 furlong trip in 1:23.30. It was just a nose between the tiring Kazoo and Spanish Chestnut, who finished evenly in third. Favored Kelly's Landing failed to fire and was last.
Results Chart from DRF.

Sun King returns after the race. Winning jockey Corey Nakatani added, "Nick's job and the team he put together with this horse makes my job easy. When I needed him, in the spot that I needed him, he was there."

Sun King heads for the winner's circle. Winning trainer Nick Zito (far right) said, "It was a tremendous race, a tremendous ride. I want to thank all my people because you can't do it alone. We've got some great riders and some great people and that's what it is about. We just love being here. We're very lucky. I feel like angels surround me when I am here (at Keeneland)."

Second place finisher Kazoo returns after the race. His jockey Richard Migliore said, "He ran his heart out. That's the way he runs. If you don't go fast he doesn't run. That's his weapon and he uses it well."

Third place finisher Spanish Chestnut in the post parade. His jockey Julien Leparoux said, "He ran good. We're pleased with his race. He came back well and will be better next time."

Wend and Edgar Prado return after winning the Jenny Wiley Stakes.

Wend winning the Jenny Wiley Stakes.

39-1 longest shot Zona battled with 10-1 shot Brazilian at the front through fractions of 24.05 and 48.11 over the firm course, while favorite Wend sat back in fifth in striking position out wide to stay out of traffic trouble. Rounding the far turn, the pacesetters both weakened after 3/4 in 1:11.96, as jockey Edgar Prado was getting Wend into her best stride. Wend easily took over the lead in mid stretch and edged clear, holding off the late charge of Asi Siempre to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:41.34. It was just a length back to Mirabilis in third, while pacesetters Zona and Brazilian finished seventh and last respectively.
Results Chart from DRF.

Wend in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Bill Mott (checkered shirt) said, "Short term plans we're thinking about a race on (Kentucky) Derby Day (the Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile). And there's a mile stakes at Belmont on Belmont Day (the Just a Game Stakes). We've gone that far ahead. Obviously we have to think about the Diana at Saratoga. So if she stays in good form that's where we want to be." Winning rider Edgar Prado said, "Yes she is (versatile). She can run any way. She can run on the front or come from behind. She ran some tough races last year and she came back real good this year. There's a long year ahead, and she just did a super job. I think (she can stretch out). She was very powerful down the stretch; very strong."

Second place finisher Asi Siempre in the post parade. Her jockey Julien Leparoux said, "She had been away awhile. She came running and ran well, so maybe next time. We ran behind a good horse."

Third place finisher Mirabilis returns after the race. Her jockey Patrick Valenzuela said, "I had a perfect trip. No excuses. I just couldn't out kick the winner and I got nipped for second."

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