Race Recaps Mr Freeze Wins Ack Ack September 28, 2019 Race Recaps Mr Freeze Wins Ack Ack September 28, 2019 By: Press Release email Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article LOUISVILLE, KY – Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister’s Mr Freeze circled three-wide on the turn for home, grabbed the lead at the 1/4 pole, and held a rallying Thirstforlife at bay in deep stretch to win Saturday night’s 27th renewal of the $150,000 Ack Ack Stakes presented by GE Appliances (G3) at Churchill Downs by 1 1/2 lengths. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Mr Freeze, a 4-year-old son of To Honor and Serve, ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:34.11. Robby Albarado rode the winner for Churchill Downs’ all-time leading trainer Dale Romans. He replaced Martin Chuan, who took off his mounts Saturday to ride in his native Peru on Sunday. For the veteran Albarado, it was an important win, as it was the 45-year-old’s second victory in 33 mounts since returning to the saddle on August 31 after he underwent surgery to repair a June 23 wrist fracture. Canterbury Park invader Mr. Jagermeister, the mild 3/1 favorite in the field of eight older horses, grabbed the early lead and set fractions of :22.95 and :45.35 as Mr Darcy and Mr Freeze tracked in close pursuit. Mr Freeze ranged up on the turn, took command once in the stretch, and drew clear with a furlong to go. “Dale and his team had this horse ready to go tonight,” Albarado said. “He was pretty forward tonight in the race and just carried an easy rhythm around the entire track. He has progressed and matured, as he’s gotten older. I’ve ridden him in the past and he seems like he’s really finding his stride and putting it all together.” ( Content Continues Below Ad ) The first prize was $90,210 and hiked Mr Freeze’s bankroll to $542,710 with a record of 8-4-2-0. He broke his maiden last summer at Churchill Downs as a 3-year-old and later won the $500,000 West Virginia Derby (G3). “Credit really goes to our owners for letting us take our time with this horse and getting him back to his real self,” Romans said. “Tonight he really ran a strong effort in a fast time. We’ll have to see moving forward where we could end up with him but the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile could certainly be in the discussion.” Five of the last six Ack Ack winners – Pants On Fire (2013), Tapiture (2015), Tom’s Ready (2016), Awesome Slew (2017) and Seeking the Soul (2018) – used the race as a springboard to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Mr Freeze paid $14.80, $8 and $4.20 at odds of 6/1. Thirstforlife, ridden by Miguel Mena, paid $7 and $4.60. Mr Darcy was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third under Jesus Castanon and paid $3.80 to show. C Z Rocket, Mr. Jagermeister, Timeline, Air Strike and Unmatchable completed the order of finish. Olympic Village was scratched when his connections opted to run in Saturday’s $750,000 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park, where he finished fifth of five. Mr Freeze, out of the Tabasco Cat mare Heavenly Cat, was bred in Kentucky by Siena Farms LLC. For Albarado, it was his second Ack Ack win after previously riding It’s No Joke to victory in 2006. This was Romans’ first Ack Ack triumph. The race is named in honor of Cain Hoy Stable’s 1971 Horse of the Year Ack Ack, who is enshrined in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. In his only Churchill Downs appearance, Ack Ack won the 1969 Derby Trial in 1:34.40, which was a track record for one mile that has since been eclipsed.
Preakness Stakes 149 and Black-Eyed Susan Picks | Blinkers Off 667 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $2… Read More
Preakness Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 548 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Preakness Stakes, NHL & NBA Playoff Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 192 Aaron and Papa Dude give their picks for the 149th… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2024 Recap, Preakness Probables, & Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 666 The Racing Dudes recap Mystik Dan winning the 2024 Kentucky… Read More
Belmont At The Big A Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 547 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Preakness Stakes 2024 Replay | Seize The Grey Wins All The Way The D. Wayne Lukas-trained Seize the Grey won the 2024… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Gulfstream Park, Churchill Downs, & Belmont at the Big A for May 19, 2024 Let’s kick off another big Saturday with the Racing Dudes… Read More
Santa Anita Park Picks | Desert Code Stakes 2024 Since arriving from Ireland last fall, King of Gosford is… Read More
Belmont At The Big A Picks | Paradise Creek Stakes 2024 Irish-bred Sketch and returning jockey Flavien Prat will look to… Read More
Woodbine Picks | King Corrie Stakes 2024 My Boy Prince, Canada’s champion 2-year-old Male, makes his return… Read More