Competing for the first time in this country after racing in England and Ireland, Boulette was a bit of a mystery prior to the $30,000 Imperial Cup.
But from the start, the 4-year-old bay gelding was a force to be reckoned with, and after setting the pace early, Boulette still had plenty of gas left in the tank at the end.
During the final sixteenth of a mile, he pulled away from his rivals while cruising to victory during the Aiken Spring Steeplechase on a sunny afternoon.
“We didn’t know a whole lot about this horse, but we did know he could be very, very tricky to train, and he showed that,” said Boulette’s jockey, Parker Hendriks.
For the Imperial Cup, the strategy was simple.
Keri Brion, who trains Boulette, told Hendriks “just ride him however you want,” the jockey said. “He wanted to go right to the lead and I was happy just to let him go and hit his lick wherever he was happy.”
Owned by Paul and Molly Willis, Boulette completed 2 1/8 miles over jumps in 3:42 on the tri-oval racecourse at the Aiken Steeplechase Association’s new venue on Richland Avenue East.
“The owners brought him over here (from Europe) after running him in some pretty nice races,” said Brion of Boulette. “They were thinking that he wanted firmer ground, and the ground here suits him better."
“Parker gave him a great ride,” she added.
Animal Kingston finished second in the Imperial Cup, and Boss Man was third.
There were three other 2 1/8-mile races over jumps during the Spring Steeplechase – the $25,000 G.H. Bostwick, the $15,000 Charles S. Bird III and the $20,000 Ford D. Conger.
In addition, there was 1 ¼-mile race on the flat, the James. W. Maloney, which didn’t offer a purse.
Thomas Rice and Van Cushny’s Bee Major captured the G.H. Bostwick while being ridden by Harrison Beswick.
Trained by Leslie Young, the 5-year-old gelding was racing over jumps for only the second time in his career.
“We thought we might hit the board (finish fourth or better) with him, but quite honestly, we didn’t think he would win because he is fairly green (inexperienced) and he doesn’t rate very well early,” said Rice, a Pennsylvania resident who lives in Aiken during the winter. “We were pleasantly surprised. We give the trainer and the jockey the credit for doing such a fantastic job.”
Maranto Manor’s Duckett’s Grove, also trained by Young, won the James W. Maloney.
Thomas Garner was the 6-year-old gelding’s rider.
NRQ Racing’s Criticize triumphed in the $15,000 Charles S. Bird III.
Neil Morris trains the 4-year-old gelding.
Criticize’s jockey was Graham Watters.
“He raced over jumps last year, but he was only 3 years old, which obviously is very young for a steeplechaser,” said Adam Newman, who owns Criticize in partnership with two other men. “He’s really just in his infancy as far as jump racing goes, but he seems to have really matured and progressed nicely. We’re very excited to have him for this coming season, and hopefully, he’ll continue to progress.”
Newman lives in Saratoga Springs, New York, but spent this past winter in Aiken.
“I had been here for the races before and had always enjoyed it, but it was the first time I had stayed through the winter,” Newman said. “I absolutely loved it. The community is tremendous and so is the horse environment. I’m thrilled to be part of the inaugural racing here at the new course.”
Ridden and trained by Sean McDermott, Gaye Breeze won the Ford D. Conger.
Petticoats Loose Farm owns the 9-year-old gelding.
Bill Gallo, director of racing for the National Steeplechase Association, praised the Aiken Steeplechase Association’s new venue, which also will be the home of the Aiken Fall Steeplechase.
“It’s incredible. It really is,” Gallo said. “It surpassed my expectations. The future is bright for steeplechasing in Aiken.”
The Spring and Fall steeplechases formerly were held at the Aiken Horse Park Foundation’s Bruce’s Field.
Because of concerns about COVID-19, the Spring and Fall steeplechases both were canceled in 2020 and 2021.
