Exothermic On Comeback Trail For Arnold
Green Lantern Stables’ homebred Exothermic, a 4-year-old son of Empire Maker, got the pulses racing when he won his first two career starts in turf route races at Gulfstream Park.
“We were thinking (Grade 1 Toyota) Blue Grass, because obviously he showed a lot of talent,” trainer Rusty Arnold said.
However, it wasn’t to be, as Exothermic sustained a stress fracture and was away from the races for eight months.
“That’s what horses do and you have to be patient with them,” Arnold said of Exothermic, who ran a sharp second in his initial return to the races at Keeneland last fall when he beat the likes of Temeraine, who won last month’s Kentucky Turf Cup (G3) at Kentucky Downs.
Two races followed the Keeneland effort when Exothermic was sidelined again with another stress fracture, this one keeping him away from the races for 8 1/2 months.
“We haven’t given up on him. Hopefully he can come back and be what we expected,” Arnold said of Exothermic, who is entered in Saturday’s eighth race, a one-mile grass allowance test. “His comeback race last month at Churchill (a fast-closing, third-place finish) was very good.”
BUTTLEMAN AT HOME AS KEENELAND BUGLER
When Steve Buttleman was introduced as Keeneland’s new bugler after the retirement of bugler emeritus Bucky Sallee on Oct. 4, opening day of the fall meet, he acknowledged being nervous about following his legendary predecessor. As the season comes to a close, Buttleman feels like he’s found a home.
“I’ve just had a great time,” Buttleman said. “I’m grateful to be here. It’s such a great experience, and I’m honored to be the person that was chosen to follow in Bucky’s footsteps.”
Buttleman has proven to be a perfect fit for Keeneland. He’s made a point to get to know fans, particularly children who light up at his presence. It’s become a common scene to see Buttleman quietly playing children’s songs to kids lined up along the edge of the track.
“I love being able to go up along the rail, see the fans and talk to them,” Buttleman said. “I especially love the kids and the family atmosphere. It’s really fun. It’s been fun with people who have had birthdays, playing ‘Happy Birthday’ for them and giving them a horseshoe with ‘Happy Birthday’ on it.”
A self-professed University of Kentucky fan, Buttleman wore a blue coat on Keeneland’s See Blue Day and thrilled fans by playing Kentucky’s fight song, “On, On U of K.” The performance was an immediate hit with fans, and those who knew the words began to sing. Buttleman played “God Bless America” on Heroes Day and fans sang along in a moving tribute to members of the military and first responders who were in attendance.