The event is celebrating its 21st running this year and is one of two premier races that began during the inaugural season of racing in 2003 at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville.
Corningstone and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. began their journey from post seven in the 12-filly lineup for the one mile, 70-yard race. Sassy Katie and Eddie Perez moved out from the inside for the early lead, joined by Rileys Redemption and Orlando Mojica in a stalking spot on the outside.
Bluelightspecial, who was looking for her fourth straight win, was also close early on for Jockey Emmanuel Esquivel.
Heading down the backstretch, Sassy Katie was in full control of the tempo as the field stayed fairly packed together heading into the final turn. Corningstone had moved up slightly on the outside but was still a few lengths off the leaders.
In the stretch, Hernandez Jr. asked Corningstone for another gear and she gladly kicked into it. Sassy Katie held strong on the inside, but as the wire neared, Corningstone was well in hand for the win by two and one-half lengths. Sassy Katie held on gamely for second over Rileys Redemption. Bluelightspecial came up the inside to finish fourth.
“It was a rare occurrence today and we got the perfect trip,” said Hernandez Jr. “The last time out when we were against the five horse (Bluelightspecial) we were a little farther back, but this time, turning down the backside, we were only a length or two back. I just stayed there, and she traveled the right way to the wire.”
Corningstone paid $4.80 for the win. The sophomore daughter of Kantharos is owned by Five Fillies Stable and Bailos Racing Stable. Ken McPeek trains the filly, who was a $75,000 purchase from the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She now has more than $300,000 on her card as a multiple stakes winner in Indiana and is three for six in her young career.
She is a product of the strong breeding operation from Deann and Dr. Greg Baer of Columbus, Indiana.
“She (Corningstone) seems to be getting better and better,” added Hernandez Jr., who was aboard for her 11-plus length romp in the Ellen’s Lucky Star. “She was locked and loaded and ready to go today.”
$250,000 Governor’s Handicap
King Ice loves to make it a horse race. The three-year-old used a big move midway through the stretch Wednesday to move from seventh to first to win the 20th running of the $250,000 Governor’s Handicap.
Starting from post nine in the 12-horse lineup, King Ice (photo) was disinterested in tackling the early speed and went to his normal spot at the back of the pack in the one mile, 70-yard event. Bad Boy Geist and Santo Sanjur pushed out of the gate and beat race favorite Run Away Rojo and Reylu Gutierrez to the top spot heading into the turn.
The top horse had lots of company early as Looking Good Lewis and Alberto Burgos was stalking in second with Win Me Over and Eddie Perez sitting three-wide. Run Away Rojo was tucked in along the rail behind the leader and was saving ground and energy early on.
Around the final turn, horses began to tire and Run Away Rojo saw an opportunity to advance up the inside. As Track Announcer John Dooley called it, “Run Away Rojo slips through for Reylu” and appeared to be on his way to a big effort. King Ice was just coming up to the horses in the first pack on the outside and barely in the camera view.
In the stretch, Run Away Rojo took over and a blur began to appear on the outside. King Ice was in full motion and was on a mission, delivering a three and one-quarter length blow at the end to claim the title. Run Away Rojo finished second over Corona Grande and Edgar Morales for third.
“I think he enjoys it (coming off the pace),” said Graham. “Last time, I tried to force him to move on, but he didn’t go. This time, I just let him have his way. He’s a great horse to ride.”
King Ice paid $3.20 for the win. The Keen Ice colt is owned by Hillerich Racing and Bernie Flint’s L.T. B. Inc. The homebred is from the Hillerich Racing-Flint’s breeding operation.
The dam of King Ice, Express Run, is a former standout in Indiana, winning six races and earning the title in the Frances Slocum and more than $343,000 in earnings. The sire is Unbridled Express, who was also bred by Hillerich and Flint. The standout Indiana sire stands at Swifty Farm and has earned year-end honors as the top stallion in the state. His most recent son, King Ice, joins a long list of elevated winners. The colt is trained by George Leonard III.
“He’s a very cool horse to have in the barn,” said Leonard III. “He’s very relaxed. I’m very blessed to have a horse like this in my barn.”
Hillerich and Flint have long been partners on the Indiana racing circuit. They have campaigned many winners over the years. King Ice is the latest to join their elite group of top performers in the Hoosier State.
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