A Yankee in the Commonwealth

It’s hard not to like the undefeated horse, and I’m here to tell you there is a new and exciting one in town. Well, sort of. Yankee Fourtune’s lifetime record actually shows 5 wins in 6 starts, but since the son of Yankee Gentleman set foot on the lawn in his second start, he has been untouchable. With an outside post in a deep field of 13, and other speed to run with early, today’s feature at Churchill Downs presented new tests for the burgeoning turf star. The test was passed with flying colors. Under regular rider Victor Santiago, Yankee Fourtune showed a new and desirable facet to his repertoire, by relaxing in third in the early stages of the 1 1/16 miles race. When asked, he quickly collared leader Stormy Lord on the far turn, like a very talented horse, and went on to score a deceptively easy one-length victory over late running Guys Reward. Santiago now calls him the nicest horse he has ever ridden.  The win in the seventh running of the $121,900 Commonwealth Turf was Yankee Fourtune’s second in stakes company. The grade 3 victory matched the grey gelding’s score last month in the Hawthorne Derby. Out of the Mi Cielo mare, Madam Ann, Yankee Fourtune was bred in Kentucky by former governor Brereton C. Jones, and is owned by Harvey A. Clarke and Andrew Albstein. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, he has yet to face a major challenge in his five grass wins. His streak has seen him win at Belmont, Saratoga, Hawthorne, and Churchill Downs, and each time in impressive fashion. This should be his final start of the season, as he is will be shipped south to Florida tomorrow. Yankee Fourtune will be pointed for turf stakes this Winter at Gulfstream Park. Today's win answered some questions, but to see how far this new turf star goes, we will need to wait until 2011.  Judging from his five starts in 2010, his future is bright. Bright green that is.