Breeding & Racing Magazine

Kodiak Kowboy Wins US Gr1 Carter Handicap

Former 2007 Canadian champion 2YO male & now 4YO entire Kodiak Kowboy (Posse-Kokadrie, by Coronado's Quest) flashed home down the outside to snatch victory by a head in the final strides of the US$300,000 Gr1 Carter Handicap (7 furlongs) at Aqueduct. Kodiak Kowboy (ridden by John Velazquez for trainer Larry Jones) defeated front-running 6YO gelding Fabulous Strike (Smart Strike-Fabulous Find, by Lost Code) & 4YO gelding Driven By Success (Precise End-Afleet Closer, by Afleet). Kentucky-bred Kodial Kowboy (initially a US$40,000 weanling at the 2005 Keeneland November Sale & subsequently a US$70,000 yearling at the 2006 Ocala Breeders August Sale) took his record to 8 wins (including 2008's Gr2 Amsterdam Stakes over 6.5 furlongs at Saratoga & Gr3 Sport Page Handicap over 7 furlongs at Belmont Park, as well as 2007's Gr2 Saratoga Special Stakes over 6.5 furlongs, Gr3 Bashford Manor Stakes over 6 furlongs at Churchill Downs & Canada's Listed Victoria Stakes over 5 furlongs at Woodbine) & 5 placings (including last month's Listed Duncan Kenner Handicap over 6 furlongs at Fair Grounds, plus 2008's Gr1 Vosburgh Stakes over 6 furlongs at Belmont Park & Listed Derby Trial Stakes over 8 furlongs at Churchill Downs, as well as 2007's Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile over 8.5 furlongs at Monmouth Park & Gr2 Futurity Stakes over 7 furlongs at Belmont Park) from 17 starts for US$1,035,558 earnings.