Researcher (horse)
Researcher | |
---|---|
Sire | Two Smart |
Grandsire | Two Punch |
Dam | Wild Magnolia |
Damsire | Apalachee |
Sex | Gelding |
Foaled | 2004 |
Country | USA |
Colour | Bay |
Breeder | Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc. |
Owner | Rutledge Farm |
Trainer | Jeff Runco |
Record | 27: 13-6-2 |
Earnings | $1,379,379 |
Major wins | |
Charles Town Classic (2009, 2010) | |
Awards | |
2009 Champion Virginia-bred Older Male |
Researcher (foaled May 5, 2004, in Virginia) is a Thoroughbred racehorse competing mostly in the United States. Bred by the Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc.
A horse from the most humble beginnings [1], Researcher was bought by Rutledge Farm (Mr. Hermen Greenberg), in 2005, as a $5,000 charitable donation [2] to the Virginia Tech Foundation's M.A.R.E Center, in Middleburg, Virginia. One year after winning the 1st Charles Town Classic, and only a few days before winning the 2nd Charles Town Classic, April 16, 2010, Mr. Zohar Ben-Dov (Kinross Farm) bought Researcher from Mr. Greenberg's estate, for an undisclosed sum. (Mr. Greenberg died February 28, 2010.)
A rare combination of stamina and speed, "Researcher is every horseman's dream..."—a "push button" horse [3], known for his adaptability.
Contents
- 1 Millionaire Status
- 2 2009's Highest Speed Figure
- 3 Charles Town Classic
- 4 Awards
- 5 Major Wins and Track Records
- 6 Hometown Hero Repeat (Charles Town)
- 7 Overall Charles Town Racing Record (as of 4-17-2010)
- 8 Race Record (as of 4-17-2010)
- 9 Profile and Statistics
- 10 Pedigree
- 11 Videos
- 12 News & Links
Millionaire Status
"Researcher" became a "millionaire" on April 17, 2010, when he earned $600,000 for winning the 2nd Annual $1 Million Charles Town Classic. (He had previously earned $800,129.)
As of April 20, 2010, "Researcher" is listed as 2010's 4th Leading Money Earner [4] in North America.
2009's Highest Speed Figure
Researcher earned a record 133 Equibase Speed Figure in 2009's Inaugural Charles Town Classic.
- His 133 Speed Figure was higher than any other horse competing in any other 2009 race in North America. (2009 Breeders' Cup Classic champion Zenyatta only scored a 127, and Rachael Alexandra only scored a 121 in both the 2009 Kentucky Oaks and Haskell Invitational.)
- No horse, in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, or 2006, has run a faster Equibase Speed Figure. (note: Equibase Speed Figures are only available, as far back as 2006, online.)
Charles Town Classic
Researcher was the lone local horse, in a 10-horse field, when he beat Commentator to steal the show [5] at Charles Town Races and Slots, winning the 1st Annual Charles Town Classic, on April 18, 2009.
On April 17, 2010, Researcher defended his title [6], in the 2nd Annual $1 million Charles Town Classic by winning over a game Awesome Gem. His time was just a fraction off the track's record he set on 3/28/2009.
Awards
The late Hermen Greenberg’s Researcher was named 2009 Champion Virginia-bred Older Male on the strength of his wins in the 2009 $500,000 Charles Town Classic Stakes (L) and his second-place finish in the 2009 $100,000 Queens Country Handicap Gr. III at Aqueduct. By Two Smart, out of Wild Magnolia by Apalachee, Researcher won four other West Virginia stakes races while earning $492,859 for 2009.[7]
Major Wins and Track Records
- APRIL 17, 2010 [8]
- 2nd Annual $1 Million Charles Town Classic
- 11⁄8 mile - 1:49.94
- Won by 13⁄4 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 108
- Equibase Speed Figure - 113
- APRIL 18, 2009 [9]
- 1st Annual Charles Town Classic
- 11⁄8 mile - 1:49.86
- Won by 21⁄4 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 107
- Equibase Speed Figure - 133
- MARCH 28, 2009 -- (A New Track Record)[10]
- $40,000 Allowance Race
- 11⁄8 mile - 1:49.76
- Won by 221⁄4 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 106
Hometown Hero Repeat (Charles Town)
The $1 Million Charles Town Classic was inaugurated in 2009. "Researcher" repeated to win both the 1st and 2nd years of the Classic (2009 and 2010).
It's hard to beat the king in his own castle. (Charles Town.)
Overall Charles Town Racing Record (as of 4-17-2010)
14: 12 - 2 - 0 (14 starts: 12 wins - 2 places - 0 shows)
Race Record (as of 4-17-2010)
2010 (6 Years Old)
Race Record—2: 2 - 0 - 0 (as of 4-17-2010)
- APRIL 17, 2010
- 2nd Annual Charles Town classic
- $1 Million
- 11⁄8 mile - 1:49.4
- 1st by 21⁄2 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 108
- MARCH 27, 2010
- Optional Claiming (Prep Race)
- $50,000
- 11⁄16 mile - 1:45.1
- 1st by 61⁄2 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 106
2009 (5 Years Old)
Race Record—3: 3 - 0 - 0
- OCTOBER 16, 2009
- HBPA Governor's Cup
- $51,000
- 11⁄8 mile - 1:51.1
- 1st by 141⁄2 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 108
- APRIL 18, 2009
- Inaugural Charles Town Classic
- $615,000 (Tiered purse, Grade 1 Winners get $1,000,000, on down to non-graded winners who get $500,000.)
- 11⁄8 mile - 1:49.4
- 1st by 21⁄4 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 107
- MARCH 28, 2009
- Allowance
- $40,000
- 11⁄8 mile - 1:49.3
- 1st by 221⁄4 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 106
2008 (4 Years Old)
Race Record—3: 2 - 1 - 0
- OCTOBER 17, 2008
- HBPA Governor's Cup
- $51,000
- 11⁄8 mile - 1:51.2
- 1st by 14 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 101
- MAY 3, 2008
- Handicap Race
- $40,000
- 11⁄8 mile - 1:53.2
- 1st by 7 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 82
- MARCH 8, 2008
- Allowance
- $35,000
- 11⁄8 mile - 1:55.0
- 2nd by 11⁄2 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 96
2007 (3 Years Old)
Race Record—4: 3 - 1 - 0
- DECEMBER 29, 2007
- Optional Claiming
- $25,000
- 11⁄8 mile - 1:50.2
- 1st by 61⁄4 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 97
- NOVEMBER 30, 2007
- Optional Claiming
- $25,000
- 11⁄8 mile - 1:53.4
- 2nd by 21⁄2 lengths
- Speed Figure - 78
- OCTOBER 5, 2007
- Allowance
- $27,000
- 61⁄2 furlongs - 1:19.4
- 1st by 2 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 78
- MARCH 15, 2007
- Allowance
- $27,000
- 61⁄2 furlongs - 1:22.1
- 1st by 12 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 37
2006 (2 Years Old)
Race Record—2:2 - 0 - 0
- DECEMBER 31, 2006
- Allowance
- $27,000
- 7 furlongs - 1:27.2
- 1st by 2 lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 63
- DECEMBER 1, 2006
- Maiden Special Weight
- $25,000
- 7 furlongs - 1:29.3
- 1st by 81⁄2 Lengths
- Beyer Speed Figure - 54
Profile and Statistics
- Blood Horse Profile - [11]
Pedigree
Sire Two Smart (USA) 1994 |
Two Punch (USA) 1983 |
Mr. Prospector (USA) 1970 |
Raise A Native (USA) 1961 |
---|---|---|---|
Gold Digger (USA) 1962 |
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Heavenly Cause (USA) 1978 |
Grey Dawn (FR) 1962 |
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Lady Dulcinea (USA) 1963 |
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Dancing Smart (USA) 1985 |
Smarten (USA) 1976 |
Cyane (USA) 1959 |
|
Smartaire (USA) 1962 |
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Dancing Dame (USA) 1977 |
Dancing Count (CAN) 1968 |
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Dorit (USA) 1971 |
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Dam Wild Magnolia 1985 |
Apalachee (USA) 1971 |
Round Table (USA) 1954 |
Princequillo (IRE) 1940 |
Knights Daughter (GB) 1941 |
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Moccasin (USA) 1963 |
Nantallah (USA) 1953 |
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Rough Shod (GB) 1944 |
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Red Tape (USA) 1988 |
Red Ryder (USA) 1976 |
Raise a Native (USA) 1961 |
|
Gold Digger (USA) 1962 |
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Over The Side (USA) 1975 |
Candy Spots (USA) (1960) |
||
Pitch And Roll (USA) (1964) |
Videos
- Charles Town Classic 2010 Video, Charles Town - April 17, 2010
- Charles Town Classic 2009 Video, Charles Town - April 18, 2009
- Queens Country Handicap Video, Aqueduct - December 13, 2008
- HBPA Governor's Cup Video, Charles Town - October 16, 2009
- HBPA Governor's Cup Video, Charles Town - October 17, 2008
News & Links
- Fan Page on Facebook
- Thoroughbred Time - Local Star Shines Again In Charles Town Classic
- Blood Horse - Another Classic Victory By Researcher
- BrisNet - Researcher Delivers Title Defense In Charles Town Classic
- Blood Horse - Researcher Goes For CT Classic Repeat
- ESPN - "Researcher Takes CT Classic"
- Blood Horse - Researcher Right At Home In CT Classic
- Thoroughbred Times - "Researcher Outshines Commentator at Charles Town"
- Daily Racing Form - Researcher Does Hokies Proud
- Blood Horse - Researcher Finds Queens County Formula
- Blood Horse - Big Names Nominated to Charles Town Classic
- Equibase - Researcher's 133 is 2009's fastest Equibase Speed Figure
- Virginia Thoroughbred Blog - Virginia-Bred Champions Honored At Colonial Downs