Reaching for the Stars!
This is a unique combo of a hard working trainer, who is responsible for most, if not all of the care for the horses in his barn, teaming up with an unsung gelding, full of heart, tenacity, and underlying talent to accomplish things most Indiana breds only dream about.
This Saturday, Tim Glyshaw will be putting the saddle on one of his favorite trainee’s, Unreachable Star in the $84,000 William Henry Harrison Stakes at Indiana Downs. It only seems fitting that Glyshaw would have an entrant in the William Henry Harrison Stakes, considering he went to William Henry High School in Evansville, Indiana.
Glyshaw has a knack for pushing all the right buttons with horses some people might just give up on. Glyshaw is best known for his care for Ready’s Rocket, a hard knocking claimer who holds the record for most wins at historic Churchill Downs.
Much like Ready’s Rocket, Unreachable Star is a blue collar horse who races his heart out every time he enters the starting gate. The Unloosened gelding will be attempting to score his 3rd win in 4 tries in the William Henry Harrison Stakes. A race for 3 year olds and up at the six furlong distance for colts or geldings who were bred in the Hoosier state.
Unreachable Star is no stranger to the winner’s circle. The Glyshaw charge boasts a record of 15 wins
in 49 starts, with 5 of those wins coming in stakes company. His career
earnings are just a few thousand shy of the $600,000 mark. The “Star” has never
finished worse than second on the Indiana Downs dirt. He seems to impose his
will any time he runs over this surface. He has tactical speed, but, is most known
for his menacing late kick, he’s versatile too, with wins ranging from 6
furlongs to 8.5 furlongs. He was also Indiana Bred Horse Of The Year in 2009 and Indiana Sired Older Horse Of The Year in 2011.
Indiana Breds never seem to get the praise that horses bred in Kentucky, Florida, California, Or New York get and sometimes it’s justified, but, that is not the case when it comes to this “Gutsy Hoosier Gelding.” Yes, Unreachable Star has won most of his races in Indiana Bred company, but, what most of you don’t realize is this horse embarrassed a Grade I winner. Yes, I said it, EMBARRASED.
On November 20th, 2009 Glyshaw gave Calvin Borel a leg up on his Indiana Bred gelding. The Glyshaw trainee wasn’t given much respect by the betting public, going off at odds of nearly 11-1. Why should he be getting respect? He was going up against an $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming group in an 8.5 furlong race at Churchill Downs. This race featured the likes of Antrim County, Strike Impact, and Here Comes Ben. This Indiana Bred sure didn’t care what his odds were or who he was facing. I’ll let the footnotes from the chart, paint a picture for you. Unreachable Star sped clear to dictate terms, gamely met the challenge after a half, shook loose entering the stretch and widened through the drive.
It wasn’t Nick Zito, Charles Lopresti, Bret Calhoun, or Eddie Kenneally that would meet their horse in the Winners’ Circle. It was Tim Glyshaw that would pat his horse on the neck for a job well done. A deserving praise for his gelding, after the nearly 9 length trouncing he gave future grade I Forego Stakes winner, Here Comes Ben.
Unreachable Star is now entering his first start as an 8 year old. Yes, he might be in the twilight of his career, but, I wouldn’t bet against him. This field is not that salty and his challengers don’t remotely possess the same talent the “Unreachable” one has. Look for Motown Boy and Rapid Warrior to break the gates quickly and set the pace. Pass The Crown also has a little speed and has shown the ability to run big races, but, he lacks the consistency to win a race like this, he’s also coming off a long lay-off and only shows one work in preparation for this stake. Mr. Rooster is 2 for 2 at Indiana Downs this season, but, one of those wins was in an Indiana bred 3 year old Maiden Special Weight, and the other was in a 3 year old Indiana Bred NW2L Allowance affair, this will be a much tougher test.
I see Unreachable Star under the faithful hands of jockey Orlando Mojica, mowing them down late to score this stake for the 3rd time and in back to back years. With Motown Boy and Rapid Warrior filling out the place and show slots.
Glyshaw and this little Indiana Bred gelding has shown that with hard work, passion, and a little talent that even in Indiana, that it’s okay to “Reach For The Stars.”
In Honor of Tim (Tiznow) Reynolds, you changed all of are lives for the better and you'll be with us always. Donations can be made to the Timothy (Tiznow) Reynolds Memorial Fund. A memorial fund for his daughter, Lauren Reynolds.