Stephen Got Even, ridden by Shane Sellers, wins the $500,000 Donn Handicap over Golden Missile at Gulfstream Park.
Grade I winner Stephen Got Even was retired from racing due to an injury the colt sustained while training toward a start in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I). The 4-year-old son of A.P. Indy--Immerse, by Cox's Ridge, will stand in 2001 for a fee of $30,000 live foal at Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky.Owned by Stephen and Tomisue Hilbert, Stephen Got Even earned $1,019,200 from 11 starts, five of which were wins. Following a two-length win over First American in a Gulfstream Park allowance race in February 1999, Stephen Got Even was sent on the Kentucky Derby trail, winning the Gallery Furniture.com Stakes (gr. II) by 2 1/2 lengths. Sent off as the second-choice in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) behind the coupled entry of General Challenge and Excellent Meeting, he finished a troubled 14th, beaten by 8 3/4 lengths. The Nick Zito trainee then finished fourth in the Preakness (gr. I) and fifth in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). Stephen Got Even next raced in September, winning an allowance race against older horses before coming home third in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) and fourth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), both won by River Keen. His only 2000 start was a 3/4-length win over Golden Missile in the $500,000 Donn Handicap (gr. I), his lone grade I win."We are very excited to have Stephen Got Even return to Lane's End," said William S. Farish, who bred the colt in partnership with the late W.S. Kilroy. "He's an outstanding looking individual, with a sire pedigree that is a complete outcross to Northern Dancer and Mr. Prospector."According to a Lane's End release, Stephen Got Even should arrive at Lane's End within the next week and will be available for viewing during the Keeneland September sale.
