Regally Ready, More Than Ready’s second-leading all-time U.S. money winner, pushed his bankroll past the $1.4 million mark Saturday when he claimed the top prize in the $65,000 Opening Verse S. at Churchill Downs.
The 7-year-old, trained by Steve Asmussen, prevailed by a half-length after dispatching Knights Nation following an early-race duel, then holding off come-from-behinder Villandry to get the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:42.26 (VIDEO).
“It was a great trip,” said winning rider Rosie Napravnik. “We were able to sit off the outside and just relax and he rated very nicely. He’s a really cool horse. He just picked it up down the lane and his class carried him on for the win.”
The Kentucky-bred, winner of the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G2) as well as the Grade 1 Neartic S., improved his record to 33-13-2-6 and has earned $1,423,518. Regally Ready has been owned by Vinery Stables LLC for his entire career; the Kentucky-based stable secured the chestnut for $110,000 out of the 2008 Keeneland September Yearling sale.
Saturday proved to be a stellar day for More Than Ready; a few hours after Regally Ready’s win, Room Service gave the WinStar stallion a stakes double when she captured the $350,000 American Oaks (G1) at Santa Anita Park, the top West Coast race for 3-year-old turf fillies that was previously held at Hollywood Park.
