By Tim Wilkin
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–After five career starts without a win, enough was enough. It was time for a change for 3-year-old colt Reynolds Channel (West Coast).
Or two. Or three.
Co-owner Lee Einsidler huddled with Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and the following modifications were made: new distance, new jockey, and an equipment change.
“I'm just glad he didn't change trainers,” Mott said late Saturday afternoon. Mott could laugh and so could Einsidler because they were both standing in the winner's circle at Saratoga Race Course. Reynolds Channel finally got there.
He won Saturday's eighth race, a $100,000 maiden special weight event for 3-year-olds and up with a solid two-length victory. Reynolds Channel, a $300,000 purchase by Einsidler's LRE Racing LLC and partner Mike Francesa's JEH Racing Stable LLC, had a total makeover for Saturday.
After running at 1 1/8 miles in his last three races, Reynolds Channel shortened up to seven furlongs. He had worn blinkers in his last two starts. They came off Saturday. Jockey Junior Alvarado, Mott's go-to rider, was in the saddle for the first time.
Mott and Einsidler made all the right moves.
“I don't let racing frustrate me,” Einsidler said. “It is so special. If you are going to let it bother you, you shouldn't do it. We were a little disappointed in the (prior) results because he trained like a horse that was going to handle two turns. It just didn't work out. When we came here today, I thought it would be his day.”
Alvarado kept Reynolds Channel in close contact in the field of 12 and made his move heading into the stretch. His long stride gobbled up pacesetter Hurricane Nelson (Khozan) just outside the eighth pole and Reynolds Channel won going away. He went off at odds of 9-1 and paid $21.60 while being timed in 1:23.12.
Lee Einsidler (left) and Bill Mott (right) | Sarah Andrew
Reynolds Channel is named for a Long Island body of water which was frequented by both Einsidler and Francesa, New York natives. Einsidler fished there. Francesa swam and clammed there.
On a trip back home from Florida after a race a few years ago, they made a pact to name this horse after a favorite place they had on common.
Reynolds Channel was picked out for Einsidler by bloodstock agent Mike Ryan at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
“[Ryan] said that if he had a bigger pedigree, if he was by a big-time sire, he is a $2 million horse,” Einsidler said. “(West Coast) is not exactly on fire, but physically, Mike said we should own this horse. When you want to picture what a racehorse should look like, he should look like him. Big. Long neck. Big behind. That doesn't necessarily mean he is going to go 1 1/8 miles. Very few of them do.”
Reynolds Channel was bred by Edwin Anthony in Kentucky. He is out of the mare Noelle's Mischief by Into Mischief. Mott saw a horse that might have a future from the start. When he began working him, Reynolds Channel showed a stride that suggested distance would be no problem.
“But when we put him to the test, and actually asked him to do 1 1/8 miles, he didn't do it,” Mott said. “So, we shortened him up. Seven furlongs can be a very difficult race in itself, but he was fit enough to do it.”
“If I have a horse that is not winning, I put him where I believe he can win,” said Einsidler said.
That happened Saturday. And now, Reynolds Channel is a maiden no more.
#KeeSept grad Reynolds Channel impresses at Saratoga! A $300,000 yearling purchase by owner LRE and JEH Racing, consigned by Royal Oak Farm, bred by Edwin Anthony and trained by Bill Mott. pic.twitter.com/rOP8gZVJmU
— Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) July 13, 2024
8th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 7-13, 3yo/up, 7f, 1:23.12, ft, 2 lengths.
REYNOLDS CHANNEL (c, 3, West Coast–Noelle's Mischief, by Into Mischief) Lifetime Record: 6-1-1-2, $97,900. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-LRE Racing LLC & JEH Racing Stable LLC; B-Edwin Anthony (KY); T-William I Mott. *1/2 to Hot Fudge (Liam's Map), MSW & MGSP, $545,905. **$300,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP.
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