Trainer Benny Feliciano extended his winning streak to nine races when he sent out M.C.R. Stable's El Keko to win a two-mile starter allowance race Wednesday at Thistledown.Thistledown track announcer Matt Hook called attention to the fact that Feliciano was winning his ninth straight race as El Keko approached the finish with a sizable lead. Leading past every pole in the marathon, El Keko prevailed by seven lengths as the 1-2 favorite. The Virginia-bred son of Linkage -- Val de Voi, by Val de l'Orne, completed two miles in 3:37.20.Feliciano's nine straight victories have come from only three horses -- El Keko, Clever Jimmy C.. and Shades of Time. All three horses have won three straight races.The 54-year-old conditioner does not have any horses entered Thursday, Friday, or Saturday at Thistledown.Feliciano's streak began Oct. 20 with Shades of Time's victory in a $3,500 claiming race. Feliciano's stable was reduced to only El Keko and Clever Jimmy C. after Shades of Time won Dec. 1 and was claimed for $5,000.The trainer's son, Ricardo Felciano, has ridden all nine winners during the streak.
The North American record for consecutive wins by a trainer is 14, set by Frank Passero at Gulfstream Park in 1996.