Researcher (horse)
| Researcher | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Two Smart |
| Grandsire | Two Punch |
| Dam | Wild Magnolia |
| Damsire | Apalachee |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 2004 |
| Country | United States |
| 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 who competed mostly in the United States. He was 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.
Millionaire Status
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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.repeated
Awards
[edit]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
[edit]- 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
Overall Charles Town Racing Record (as of 4-17-2010)
[edit]14: 12 - 2 - 0 (14 starts: 12 wins - 2 places - 0 shows)
Profile and statistics
[edit]- Blood Horse Profile - [11]
Pedigree
[edit]| Sire Two Smart (USA) 1994 |
Two Punch (USA) 1983 |
Mr. Prospector (USA) 1970 |
Raise A Native (USA) 1961 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Digger (USA) 1962 | |||
| Heavenly Cause (USA) 1978 |
Grey Dawn (FR) 1962 | ||
| Lady Dulcinea (USA) 1963 | |||
| Dancing Smart (USA) 1985 |
Smarten (USA) 1976 |
Cyane (USA) 1959 | |
| Smartaire (USA) 1962 | |||
| Dancing Dame (USA) 1977 |
Dancing Count (CAN) 1968 | ||
| Dorit (USA) 1971 | |||
| Dam Wild Magnolia 1985 |
Apalachee (USA) 1971 |
Round Table (USA) 1954 |
Princequillo (IRE) 1940 |
| Knights Daughter (GB) 1941 | |||
| Moccasin (USA) 1963 |
Nantallah (USA) 1953 | ||
| Rough Shod (GB) 1944 | |||
| Red Tape (USA) 1988 |
Red Ryder (USA) 1976 |
Raise a Native (USA) 1961 | |
| Gold Digger (USA) 1962 | |||
| Over The Side (USA) 1975 |
Candy Spots (USA) (1960) | ||
| Pitch And Roll (USA) (1964) |
Videos
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
