(Edited press release)
Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey of Nicholasville, Ky., notched their 16th victory of the fall meet Nov. 15 when Ya Think won the seventh race. The victory, on the 16th day of the 26-day meet, broke the fall meet record established in 1965 by T. Alie Grissom over a 23-day meet.
“I’m on top of the world,” said Ken Ramsey, who was not at Churchill Downs, but watched the races from home.
The Ramseys are well on their way to a 14th owners’ title at Churchill Downs, which is the most in track history. The couple won Spring Meet titles in 2000-04, 2006 and 2008, and fall meet titles in 2000-03, 2005, and 2007.
The Ramseys will have a chance to build on their record Nov. 16 with three runners entered on the day’s 10-race card and another five entered Nov. 19.
The all-time record for wins by an owner at a single meet at Churchill Downs is 27, held by A.J. Foyt Jr. over the 93-day Spring Meet in 1984.
“Also one of our goals this fall was to make Mike (Maker) the leading trainer at Keeneland and we did that. I also understand he tied the record for most wins (at a Fall Meet) today and I can say with utmost confidence that we have enough bullets in the gun to break that record. I’m a betting man and I’d say it’s 1-to-1,000 he breaks the record. I’d bet that with both hands.
“I’d also like to congratulate Steve Bass, the agent for Julien Leparoux. It is guys like Steve who build a good relationship with Mike and me to get the mounts that make Julien look good. It is not just Ramsey, Maker, and Leparoux, but people like Steve Bass and the exercise riders that make this such a good team.”
Maker's victory was his 20th from 48 starters after 16 days of the 26-day meet. The 20 victories tie the record established by Dale Romans during the 27-day meet of 2003. Maker will have a chance to break the record Nov. 16 when he saddles two starters on the 10-race card that begins at 12:40 p.m. EDT.
“It’s great for this to happen in my hometown makes it better,” Maker said. “I’ve been a fan of Churchill Downs since I was a kid and it means a lot. To be honest, I didn’t really think about it (the record) until I saw an article in the paper. I thought it would be a great accomplishment.
“It is great and they (Ken and Sarah Ramsey) have supported me so well, so it is even more special to do it with one of their horses.”