Although different running styles carried them to victory in million-dollar stakes at Kentucky Downs Aug. 31, Johnny's Red Storm and Meringue both impressed with their triumphs and gave their connections some excitement for the future.
First it was the Twirling Candy colt, Johnny's Red Storm, who dunked on his competition with a stylish two-length victory in frontrunning fashion over Sanford Stakes (G3) winner Obliteration and British shipper Azizam. He completed 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14.83 on firm turf.
The victory capped a four-win day for jockey Frankie Dettori and sent the 30-person Westchester, N.Y., party hosted by Rick Pitino, co-owner of the horse and head coach of the St. John's University men's basketball team, into a frenzy.
"It's one of the most thrilling things I've ever watched," Pitino said by phone. "Outside of basketball, it might have been the most thrilling thing."
Red Storm is the team name for St. John's athletic program and, given that Pitino is partners in ownership with longtime friend John Cronin Jr., Johnny's Red Storm was a perfect name for a horse they had high expectations for.
"We thought it was a clever name and something Coach (Pitino) could have fun with on the marketing side for St. John's if we had some success," said Cronin Jr. "Thankfully, we've had some success and the name has taken off."
Pitino and Cronin Jr., an investment banker from Boston, Mass., have been "back and forth" on owning horses together for the past 25 years. The pair previously earned a stakes victory together at Kentucky Downs in 2014 when Croninthebarbarian took the Kentucky Downs Juvenile.
Bred in Kentucky by St. Elias Stables, Johnny's Red Storm was a $60,000 purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale by trainer George Weaver and bloodstock agent Steve Venosa. He debuted a four-length winner at Saratoga Race Course and likely punched his ticket to the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar Oct. 31 with his victory Sunday.
The day was extra special for Cronin Jr. and his family as it was his wife Carolynne's birthday.
"She's been in the horse business with me all the way through," Cronin Jr. said. "There's more downs than ups, but when you get an up, there's nothing better. ... We're at the top of the mountain today, so it feels great."
Video: Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint S. (BT)
Meringue Delivers in Juvenile Fillies
Also at the top of the mountain were Steve and Denise Smith after their homebred, Meringue, launched a dramatic late rally to capture the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies.
Despite a better break than her previous two career starts, which included a maiden win on turf and runner-up effort in the Adirondack Stakes (G3) on dirt, the daughter of Frosted was shuffled back in the pack under Luan Machado. However, the rider was patient and unleashed the filly's devastating turn of foot in the middle of the track, getting up to win by a head in a close five-horse finish.
Meringue completed the mile in 1:34.61 while Red Beretta nosed out To a Flame for second.
"She has the kick, and it's a sustained kick, too," Steve Smith said. "It's impressive for a 2-year-old, very impressive for a young filly."
Also entered in the Aug. 30 Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course | BloodHorse.com Track Profile">Saratoga Race Course, trainer Rodolphe Brisset made the choice to return to grass and was rewarded with a bigger payday.
As Elements Racing, the Smiths celebrated their first Kentucky Downs stakes win in 2022 with Danse Macabre in the Untapable Stakes. However, Sunday's victory was a little extra special as it was their first stakes win with a horse who was bred by their Mesingw Farm.
"Denise made a comment a couple months ago that a homebred winning just is a different level of win," Smith said. "A win's great, but it is really extra special."
Meringue was the second homebred winner for the Smiths this meet as the sensational Stellify won in allowance company on opening day Aug. 28, setting a 1 1/2-mile course record in 2:24.89—her second consecutive start setting a track record.
Meringue's victory also improved the Smiths' expectations for the upcoming Keeneland September Yearling Sale as her Oscar Performance half brother, Oscar, is consigned as Hip 1040 by Warrendale Sales in Book 2 Sept. 11.
