 NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Jackson
859-259-4224
Lisa.Jackson@ky.gov Standardbred Pacing Champion Won The West Retires to Kentucky Horse Park
Mayor Jim Gray Declares October 6 "Won The West Day" in Lexington LEXINGTON, KY (October 5, 2012) Standardbred pacer Won The West will be welcomed to the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions on Saturday, October 6. This Two-Time Divisional and Breeders Crown Champion was retired in September as a leader in Standardbred racing with lifetime earnings of $3,939,836. In honor of the horse's arrival at the park, Mayor Jim Gray has declared October 6 "Won The West Day" in Lexington, KY, and his office has prepared a certificate that will be presented to the owners on Saturday. Won The West made 109 lifetime starts in his career with 36 firsts, 24 seconds and 15 thirds. In 2009, he won the Breeders Crown in a stakes-record time of 1:47, and he won the same race again in 2010. This 8-year-old gelding was voted Older Pacer of the Year in 2009 and 2010 by the U.S. Harness Writers, and was twice awarded the Dan Patch trophy as top older pacing horse. "The Kentucky Horse Park is honored to have Won The West join our Hall of Champions," said John Nicholson, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park. "This exceptional horse is a star for the Standardbred industry, and we look forward to sharing him and his story with the throngs of visitors who enjoy the park each year. He will be a welcome addition to our champion line-up, and we thank his connections for entrusting his care to our team." Won The West was bred in New Jersey by Fair Winds Farm by Western Hanover out of Gabrielle by Dragon's Lair, he was foaled in 2004. Won The West was purchased for $35,000 by trainer Brian Brown at the Harrisburg Yearling Sale. Brown purchased the colt for James Koehler's Country Club Acres, Inc. of Findlay, Ohio; the Kantzer family's Strollin Stable of Marion, Ohio; and, William Robinson of Findlay, Ohio. With trainer Ron Burke added to the team in 2007, Won The West went on to be one of the highest-earning horses on the Standardbred racing circuit, beating some of the biggest names in racing such as Mister Big and winning the Canadian Pacing Derby, the Indiana Pacing Derby, the Bobby Quillin Memorial and the Dan Patch Invitational, as well as three American national stakes titles. Won The West joins fellow Standardbred pacing champions Staying Together and Western Dreamer, and Standardbred trotting champion Mr. Muscleman, at the Hall of Champions. The public is invited to welcome him to Kentucky at the Hall of Champions at the Won The West Welcome Ceremony at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 6. The welcome ceremony is open to the public, or guests may choose to stay and visit the rest of the park with regular visitor admission ($16 for adults, $8 for children 7-12, no charge for children 6 and under in the party). - 30 -
The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm/theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man's relationship with the horse. The park is an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and hosted more than 825,000 visitors and campers, as well as 15,000 competition horses in more than 200 special events and horse shows in 2011. The park is home to the National Horse Center which comprises more than 30 national and regional equine organizations. Located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington, the Kentucky Horse Park is The place to get close to horses. Open daily March 15 to Nov. 4, and Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 5 to March 15.
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