A Breeder's Own Colt Finds Daylight in the Keeneland Stretch

Dede McGehee bred Agate and owns him, and on Sunday at Keeneland the son of the Japanese-bred Karakontie gave his breeder a graded win. He took the Grade II Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes, a race the sport counts among its upper tier. Agate did it the hard way. In the middle of the stretch he was hemmed in with horses packed around him and no clear path. Then a gap opened, he went through it, and he drew away to the wire with plenty left. Few wins satisfy a breeder more than one where the horse they raised sorts out the trouble himself and keeps going. For a breeder who also owns the horse, a Grade II trophy at Keeneland on a Sunday afternoon is about as good as the game gets.

With reporting from Thoroughbred Daily News.