For Immediate Release: Saturday, October 17, 2015

TROUBLE KID ROLLS TO VICTORY IN VALLEY FORGE STAKES G3 Winner Takes Second Straight Stakes

It’s been said that there are few certainties in life, maybe death and taxes top the list. When the local horse racing awards are handed out next spring, there’s a good chance you can add Trouble Kid as the year’s top claim at Parx to that list. The 3 year-old gelded son of Harlan’s Holiday was claimed by trainer Ramon Preciado back in July for owner Barbara Hopkins for the bargain price of $15,000 and has now won four straight times since then, including a win in the G3 Gallant Bob Stakes here September 19th. He added to his legacy Saturday afternoon with another stakes victory, drawing away from four rivals to gallop home a dominant winner in the $150,000 Valley Forge Stakes.

Breaking from the inside gate, Trouble Kid was out sprinted in the opening furlong by both City’s Fast Lane and Jake N Elwood. As those two dueled up front, getting clear of Trouble Kid by some two and a half lengths, winning jockey Joshua Navarro was able to guide his mount off the inside nearing the half mile pole and move into the clear on the outside of the two front runners. City’s Fast Lane led the way to the far turn after a quarter in 22.16 with Jake N Elwood pressing the pace from the outside and now Trouble Kid loomed a close third while racing three wide. As Jake N Elwood began to tire approaching the quarter pole, City’s Fast Lane suddenly found himself with a clear lead, but that lead would not last long. Trouble Kid quickly closed the gap and as they turned for home after a half mile in 46.48, he took the lead and immediately began to open up.

Through the final furlong, the race was never in doubt. In fact, with a comfortable four length lead in mid-stretch, Navarro was able to gear down Trouble Kid and coast home to a clear cut victory of just over three lengths. After falling back pressing the pace, Jake N Elwood battled back to regain second while Res Judicata was able to out finish the rest while racing down inside and came home third. Despite the Grade 3 win, Trouble Kid (9-5) went off as the second choice in the wagering behind stablemate Jake N Elwood (3-5) and paid $5.80 to win. The final time for the six furlongs over a track that was labeled fast but yielded slow times all day was 1:13.90.