In 149 years of racing at Churchill Downs, no horse had ever won more than 11 races on the famed Louisville, Ky. oval.
Until now.
Bango took his rightful place in Churchill Downs lore Sept. 27 when he raced to a record 12th victory under the twin spires. By capturing the third race, a $136,600 open allowance contest worthy of stakes status, the son of Congrats became the winningest horse in Churchill Downs history.
The 7-year-old tied Ready's Rocket's record of 11 wins last fall at Churchill with a score in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes. He was then third in the Bet On Sunshine Stakes before returning to finish unplaced in his two Churchill starts this year in the St. Matthews Overnight and Kelly's Landing Stakes. Trainer Greg Foley gave the old warrior a three-month mid-season freshening, and the bay slowly but surely found his way back to his old form.
"In the spring he was training good and we thought we'd get (the record) in the (St. Matthews Overnight) on Derby Thursday," Foley said. "He was doing well but he just got mentally out of the game there for a little bit. We tried a few little things to try to get him back in the game. His works in the past three-four weeks have been phenomenal. He worked like he hadn't lost a step. If he didn't run (well) today we probably would have taken him home."
When the gates sprang open, jockey Tyler Gaffalione hustled Bango up the rail before tucking into a stalking trip behind pacesetters Angkhor and Spankster. Unfazed by the high headwinds or pounds of slop, courtesy of Hurricane Helene, Bango split horses at the top of the lane and stormed ahead of his rivals. He splashed to the wire in a 1:09.76 for the six furlongs, 2 1/4 lengths clear of Angkhor.
"I just want to congratulate Fred and Debb Schwartz," Foley said. The Schwartz', the breeders of Bango, race the bay under their Tamaroak Stable name. They campaigned Bango's dam, the Smart Strike mare Josaka, with Foley as well.
"I'm just so happy for them to have this horse. They've been so good to me for so many years. It's a special day," Foley said.
Friday's race was the 15th career tally for Bango in his 38 trips to the post. The Kentucky-bred, a nine-time stakes winner, has banked $1,617,891.
Bango could attempt to raise the already high bar a notch higher when he pursues his 13th Churchill win, and seventh Churchill stakes win, in the Nov. 2 $300,000 Bet On Sunshine Stakes.
"He's always been a nice, sound horse," Foley said. "The way he ran today I'm sure we'll be in the (Bet On Sunshine Stakes) ... That's what we'll shoot for."
