Englehart's Streak Ends at Seven
Trainer Chris Englehart fell one victory short of tying the modern-day record for consecutive wins on the New York Racing, Inc. (NYRA) circuit when Who’s the Cowboy finished second in Wednesday’s fifth race at Aqueduct Race Track.
Who’s the Cowboy, who started Englehart’s streak when he won the first race on December 30, was favored at even money today and raced off the pace in fifth around the far turn. The 9-year-old gelding made up ground in the stretch, but could not reel in 2-1 second choice Poppa’s Pick, who held on to win by one length.
“I thought it was a great effort,” said Englehart of Who’s the Cowboy’s performance when reached by telephone. “He just got outrun, that’s all. He’s just a good, professional horse. You have to respect him, and we’ll do right by him and give him a little time off now.”
In addition to Who’s the Cowboy’s victory last week, Englehart’s winning streak included triumphs by Smokin’ Arties Gal and Budge Man on December 30, Iberian Gate’s success on New Year’s Eve, a win by Run Warrior Run on New Year’s Day, and successive scores by Isn’t She Grand and Furhlang on January 2.
“I’m not a very religious person, but my mother-in-law Mary
[Reed] passed away a few days ago and she was a religious person,” said
Englehart. “She had a stroke and went to the hospital Tuesday, the day
before the winning streak began. I went back to the hospital later, and she was
unconscious. She passed away on Sunday. She was probably saying a prayer for
the horses. These wins are a credit to her, in a strange way.”
According to recent records, four modern-day trainers have saddled eight consecutive winners at New York Racing Association (NYRA) tracks: John Parisella in 1973; Angel Penna, Sr., who sent out eight straight at Belmont Park in 1982; Oscar Barrera, who went 8-for-8 from April 15-21, 1983 at Belmont Park, and Edward I. Kelly, who accomplished the feat in October, 1983.
More recently, trainer John Kimmel went 7-for-7 at Saratoga Race Course in 2008.
Englehart will attempt to start a new streak at Aqueduct tomorrow when he sends out Crafty Mark in Race 1, Sorority Sister in Race 6, and High Stakes Player in Race 8.