NEWS
Kimmel earns seventh consecutive win at Saratoga
Posted: Monday, September 01, 2008 6:25 PM
Trainer John Kimmel earned an unprecedented seventh consecutive win at Saratoga Race Course on Monday when Premium Gold posted a four-length victory in the third race.
Kimmel co-owns Premium Gold, who set an uncontested pace and opened a 3 1/2-length lead in early stretch in the $68,000 allowance/optional claiming race over 1 1/8 miles.
“I’m real tickled,” Kimmel said. “He came out here and ran a great race, and the streak is seven.”
Kimmel had earned one win during the current Saratoga meeting prior to the streak. The trainer posted three wins on August 29, including consecutive victories by Doughdaddy and Close Encounter and a win by Timber Reserve.
He added victories with Freedom Bay on August 30 and Remarkable Remy on August 31. Kimmel won Monday’s second race with Gem for Hook one race before Premium Gold prevailed.
“I knew I had some horses sitting on good races, but you never know who you are going against. You don’t know if your race is going,” Kimmel said. “There were a couple races that they had to go in open company when the New York-bred races didn’t go.
Kimmel hopes his good fortune continues when Belmont Park opens a 38-day fall meet on September 5 and continues through the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on October 24-25 at Santa Anita Park.
“I just want the momentum to carry over,” Kimmel said. “We have some nice horses. Hopefully, they stay healthy and we can keep the ball rolling. Perhaps we can come up with a horse or two for the Breeders’ Cup.”
