Florida’s Rip Roarin Ritchie vies for his second consecutive stakes victory Saturday when he goes to the post for the $75,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Stakes for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs on the turf.
Trained by his breeder Wesley Ward of Hallandale Beach, Fla., Rip Roarin’ Ritchie will be making just the fourth start of his career in the Kentucky Juvenile. He started his career by finishing third against special weight maidens at Woodbine Race Course near Toronto on May 13, before returning to win his next race against a similar class at Churchill Downs in June. His first race was over Polytrack while his subsequent races have been on grass, a surface upon which Rip Roarin Richie is undefeated in two starts. By Bring the Heat and out of the Mighty mare Silently Mighty, Rip Roarin’ Ritchie won the $61,000 Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park on Aug. 5 in his last start. The dark bay or brown gelding is the only stakes winner in the field of 12 in the Kentucky Juvenile.
Ward has given the riding assignment aboard Rip Roarin Richies to Leandro Goncalves and they will break from post eight.
Rip Roarin Ritchie is owned by Richard Ravin of Highland Park, Il.
Also representing Florida is Ruler of Love, who is set to break from post ten. Another with three races under his belt, Ruler of Love just recently broke his maiden in his third try, taking a maiden special weight event at Arlington Park on Aug. 18. He has previously finished fourth in his first start against maidens at Presque Isle Downs in Bensalem, Pa., and third, also against special weight maidens, at Arlington Park in July.
Trained by Joan Scott for Matthew N. Rebro Jr., Frank Coniglio and Sidney Ritman, Ruler of Love was bred in Florida by Faye Little of Ocala. Ruler of Love is by Peace Rules and out of the Wheaton mare Lovmeaton.
Others that are sure to draw the attention of the wagering public are Midas Dancer, First Ronin and Central Banker.
Trained by Kenny McPeek for Stoneleigh Farm of Paris, Ky., Midas Dancer won his second start against special weight maidens at Ellis Park on Aug. 10. David Cohen will be in the irons when they break from the two hole.
First Ronin will run from the shed row of trainer Eddie Kenneally for Sanford R. Robertson and will be looking to remain undefeated having won his first race by more than eight lengths. That came against $16,000 maiden claimers at Ellis Park on Jul. 13. Jockey Eddie Martin has been given the mount and First Roanin has drawn post six.
Central Banker won his first race in his second try, defeating a maiden special weight group on turf at Saratoga on Aug. 23. Trained by Al Stall Jr. for Seth Klarman’s Klarvich Stables Inc. of Brookline Mass., and William H. Lawrence of New York City, Central Banker will have Shawn Bridgmohan in the irons when they break from post position seven.
Photo by Equiphoto
