'Iron Horse' Bucchero Repeats in Woodford

A winner of the Woodford Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select (G2T) last year at 26-1, Ironhorse Racing Stable's Bucchero repeated the feat Oct. 6 at Keeneland. Horseplayers were onto his game this time, as he went off favored at 3-1.

Trainer Timothy Glyshaw dubbed the winner—appropriately, given the name of his ownership group—an "iron horse."

"He's very special to us," Glyshaw said. "To have an Indiana-bred come in here for the second year in a row and win on the national stage, that's something we are very proud of. He just became the all-time money-earning (leader) in Indiana history—something that's important to me as well. I just can't thank Ironhorse for allowing me the opportunity to train him."

Following last year's win, Bucchero shipped to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), where he finished fourth, beaten just a length by Stormy Liberal. Glyshaw plans on trying the Breeders' Cup again and will have the good fortune of it being much closer at Churchill Downs Nov. 3.

"We'll definitely be there," the trainer said.

Rocket Heat broke on top in this year's edition of the Woodford, and set a solid :21.80 and :44.77 opening quarter-mile and half-mile over firm turf. He was hounded by Done Deal and Extravagant Kid. Bucchero was just off the hot pace under Fernando De La Cruz. Bucchero got to the front, and after :57.35 for five furlongs, he was able to fend off the late run of Will Call to his outside.

The 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf went in 1:04.04. Extravagant Kid was a half-length back in third, a neck better than Angaston. Bucchero paid $8.40, $4.40, and $3.20. Holding Gold, the co-favorite on the morning line at 4-1, was scratched.

"Things worked out good," De La Cruz said. "I just put him behind the speed, let him get comfortable in the stretch, and just pick it up (in the) last sixteenth to get to the wire. I was thinking (more horses would show early speed), but he was in a great position, and it worked out good for me."

Bred in Indiana by Southern Chase Farm and Karen Dodd, Bucchero is a 6-year-old horse by Kantharos  out of the General Meeting mare Meetmeontime. The win was his 11th in 30 starts. He has earned $937,936.

This year, Bucchero ran third in Gulfstream Park's Silks Run Stakes, second in Keeneland's Shakertown Stakes (G2T), and third in Churchill's Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes presented by Twinspires.com (G3T) before taking a trip to Royal Ascot, where he finished fifth in the five-furlong Kings Stand Stakes (G1). He prepped for the Keeneland start with a fifth in Parx's Turf Monster Stakes (G3T).

Video: Woodford S. Presented by Keeneland Select (G2T)