Six horses who went through the breaking process on South Carolina farms and training centers entered the winner’s circle following stakes races between October 24 and November 17.
On October 24, the 2-year-old gelding Brooklyn Strong had only two beat early on in the Sleepy Hollow S. at Belmont Park. Three wide, only a length back after ¾’s of a mile, Brooklyn Strong made the lead at the 1/16th pole and drove home a 2 ¼ length winner. Brooklyn Strong prepared for his racing career at Travis Durr’s Webb Carroll Training Center.
Another 2-year-old, Hungarian Princess, is a 3 time winner in 5 career starts. She captured the Indiana Stallion Fillies S. at Indiana Grand on October 29. Hungarian Princess broke sharply and sat on the flank of the leader early on. She took command at the top of the stretch and came home a 4 ¾ length winner. This filly came up through “Goree” Smith’s program at the Elloree Training Center.
Another Webb Carroll Training Center graduate, Dreaming of Drew, broke on top and never looked back in the Princess Elizabeth S. at Woodbine on October 31. In front by 1 ½ lengths after the opening ½ mile, she extended her lead to 3 ¾ lengths at the wire.
Two more of Durr’s former students won stakes on November 14. No Cents, fifth early on, came four wide into the stretch and when the leaders reached the 1/8th pole, he shifted into a higher gear and hit the wire 1 ¼ lengths in front. An hour later up in Canada, Jilli Marie proved best in the South Ocean S. at Woodbine. Jilli Marie broke awkwardly stumbling and then quickly moved up into a contending position. In an eventful trip, she came between horses exhibiting her desire to win and she did by 1 ½ lengths.
Russian Influence has now won 2 of her 3 career starts. In the Miss Indiana S. at Indiana Grand on November 17, she trailed the field for the opening ½ mile. She began passing horses one by one and in a determined effort, got up to win rather easily by 2 ¾ lengths. She learned her early lessons under the watchful eye of Donna Freyer in Camden and is owned Stuart Grant’s The Elkstone Group, LLC.
