Bango races into the record books at Churchill Downs

In 149 years of racing at Churchill Downs, no horse had ever won more than 11 races on the famed Louisville oval.

Until now.

Bango took his place in Churchill Downs lore on Friday when he raced to a record 12th victory under the twin spires. 

By capturing the third race, a $136,600 open allowance contest worthy of stakes status, the son of Congrats became the winningest horse in Churchill Downs history.

The seven-year-old tied Ready's Rocket's record of 11 wins last autumn at Churchill with a score in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes. He was then third in the Bet On Sunshine Stakes before returning to finish unplaced in two runs at Churchill this year in the St Matthews Overnight and Kelly's Landing Stakes. 

Trainer Greg Foley gave the old warrior a three-month mid-season freshening, and the bay slowly but surely found his way back to his old form.

"He's always been a nice, sound horse," said Foley. “In the spring he was training well and we thought we'd get the record [in the St Matthews Overnight] on Derby Thursday. 

"He was doing well but he just got mentally out of the game there for a little bit. We tried a few little things to try to get him back in the game. His work in the past three to four weeks has been phenomenal. He worked like he hadn't lost a step."

When the gates sprang open, jockey Tyler Gaffalione hustled Bango up the rail before tucking into a stalking trip behind pacesetters Angkhor and Spankster. Unfazed by the high headwinds or sloppy conditions, courtesy of Hurricane Helene, Bango split horses at the top of the home straight and stormed ahead of his rivals. He splashed to the wire two and a quarter lengths clear of Angkhor.

"I just want to congratulate Fred and Debb Schwartz," said Foley, referring to the breeders of Bango, who race him under their Tamaroak Stable banner.

They campaigned Bango's dam, the Smart Strike mare Josaka, with Foley as well.

"I'm just so happy for them to have this horse,” he said. “They've been so good to me for so many years. It's a special day.”

Friday's triumph was the 15th career score for Bango on his 38th run. The Kentucky-bred, a nine-time stakes winner, has banked $1,617,891.

Bango could attempt to raise the already high bar a notch higher when he pursues his 13th Churchill win, and seventh Churchill stakes success, in the $300,000 Bet On Sunshine Stakes on November 2.

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