Audible Returns With Facile Victory in Cherokee Run
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Photo: Nicole Marie
Audible wins the Cherokee Stakes
Audible, not seen under silks since his third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), made his return to the races a winning one when he steamed up from mid-pack and drew off easily to win the $200,000 Qatar Cherokee Run Stakes for 3-year-olds Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs to kick off the stakes action on the second day of the Breeders' Cup.
Audible was riding a four-race win streak heading into the first Saturday in May, with wins in the Holy Bull Stakes (G2) and Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1), before he surged late to finish 2 1/2 lengths behind Justify in the Kentucky Derby. The two colts shared ownership groups, as WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing, and Head of Plains Partners own Audible, a son of Into Mischief —Blue Devil Bel, by Gilded Time, bred in New York by Oak Bluff Stables.
Five horses lined up on the lead when the gates opened for the Cherokee Run, with Super Sol, Principe Guilherme, and Dak Attack trading punches through a brisk opening quarter-mile in :22.75 in the seven-furlong contest. Jockey Javier Castellano had Audible reserved in mid-pack early, as Principe Guilherme and Dak Attack continued to slug it out through a half-mile in :45.69.
Castellano steered Audible wide on the turn, and once the Todd Pletcher trainee hit his stride, the outcome wasn't in doubt. Audible blew past the field to hit the wire in 1:22.46, two lengths to the good of Honorable Treasure. Principe Guilherme checked in third and Cowboy Creed was along for fourth.
Audible came out of the Kentucky Derby with minor issues and was given time to get back on track. The Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) in late January is a target for the colt, who has won five of seven races and $1.2 million.
As the heavy favorite, Audible returned $4.60, 4, and $3.20. Honorable Treasure paid $15.20 and $9.80, with Principe Guilherme good for $11.20 to show.