Governor Sam Victorious In Indian Summer

Already a two-time stakes winner, Governor Sam stretched his win streak to three in a gusty performance to take the Indian Summer Stakes at Keeneland Sunday. Since breaking his maiden at Saratoga in July, the son of freshman sire Improbable has been a tour de force in the Mid-Atlantic juvenile turf sprints–coming from off the pace to take the Tyro Stakes at Monmouth and, most recently, wiring the Exacta Systems Rosie's Stakes at Colonial Downs Sept. 7. Favored at 8-5 for the three-peat, Governor Sam again flashed good early speed and set a contested pace as Floodlites pressed him through a quick opening quarter in :20.81. Still engaged with that runner around the far turn, he finally got the upper hand and cleared off just in time to stay safely ahead of a charging Out On Bail and last by a neck. Jockey Paco Lopez got to celebrate not just a key win but also his 4,000^th career victory with the effort.

“(The race) was very good,” said Lopez. “(Trainer) George (Weaver) said, 'Paco, the horse is ready. Do whatever you want to do in the race–depending if you get the lead, if you want to sit second, you find out at the break.' He did it. He's a very nice colt, and he's doing very well.”

Of hitting the milestone, Lopez added: “When you work hard, then coming to America and having the opportunity to ride here, I feel great to have that opportunity every day. Now I'll try for 5,000.”

His freshman sire's (by City Zip) only stakes winner thus far, Governor Sam is out MSW/MGSP I'm Betty G who was sold carrying the winner in utero for $275,000 at KEENOV in 2021 having already produced GSW Pin Up Betty (Constitution). She has a yearling City of Light filly and returned to Constitution for next term after losing her Jackie's Warrior foal this year. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

4,000 career wins for jockey Paco Lopez! 🎉

He guides #7 Governor Sam to victory in the Indian Summer S. at Keeneland for trainer George Weaver. 🍀

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/GKcLUbyGC1

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 6, 2024

INDIAN SUMMER S. PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT, $238,257, Keeneland, 10-6, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:02.72, fm.
1–GOVERNOR SAM, 120, c, 2, by Improbable
                1st Dam: I'm Betty G (MSW & MGSP, $353,100),
                                by Into Mischief
                2nd Dam: Lady in Ermine, by Honour and Glory
                3rd Dam: Lucky Lady Sarah, by Polish Numbers
($50,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $275,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR).
O-Bregman Family Racing LLC and Swinbank Stables, LLC;
B-Stoneriggs Farm (KY); T-George Weaver; J-Paco Lopez.
$141,438. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0, $334,288. *1/2 to Pin Up
Betty (Constitution), GSW, $444,105.
2–Out On Bail, 120, c, 2, Tiz the Law–Judge Lee, by Street Cry
(Ire). ($40,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG; $110,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR).
O-Case Chambers, Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher;
B-Matthew Nestor (NY); T-Michael J. Maker. $36,500.
3–Floodlites, 118, c, 2, City of Light–More Mo for Me, by Uncle
Mo. ($375,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Lael
Stables; B-Pitlochry Partners (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward. $22,813.
Margins: NK, 1HF, NK. Odds: 1.74, 8.47, 10.35.
Also Ran: Chasing Liberty, G W's Girl, Moon Sniper, Pharoah's Dynasty, Just Keep Looking, Fiddling Felix, Bad Gal Party, Jet Sweep Joe, Raise the Bar. Scratched: Dreamaway.