Jose D'Angelo will always hold a special place in Kentucky Downs history as the first trainer to win a grade 1 at the course, which he accomplished with Howard Wolowitz in the 2024 Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1).
"It was good, it was special," D'Angelo said after his first grade 1 victory in the United States. "They told me (about winning the first grade 1 in track history) and I was like, 'Wow.' It was a nice moment, a win I'll never forget."
For now, he is still the track's lone grade 1-winning trainer—a title he will lose Sept. 6 as he does not plan to have an entrant in the Franklin-Simpson this year. However, D'Angelo will be back for the lucrative seven-day meet hungry for more success.
"We just have to work hard and win more," D'Angelo said. "That's the only way."
D'Angelo plans to stable about 8-10 horses at Kentucky Downs for the meet, led by Gold Square's grade 1 winner Howard Wolowitz.
READ: Howard Wolowitz Rising Up the Ranks for D'Angelo
Following that top-level victory a year ago, the son of Munnings ran a better-than-looks ninth against his elders in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar, beaten only three lengths total after being checked and wide around the far turn. He bounced back to finish just .07 seconds off Turfway Park's six-furlong synthetic track record when winning the Holiday Cheer Stakes in 1:08.10 in December.
From there, D'Angelo took Howard Wolowitz to Saudi Arabia to compete in the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2T) in February, but his long campaign appeared to take its toll as he finished a distant 10th.
"It wasn't his luckiest night over there," D'Angelo said. "He was so ready, but he was running hard year-round. We decided to give him time and let the horse grow, take some time off."
A return to Kentucky Downs had been on his radar since his Franklin-Simpson victory. With that goal in mind, he returned to the worktab in mid-July at Gulfstream Park before moving north to Saratoga Race Course D'Angelo is confident that a bigger and stronger Howard Wolowitz is ready to tackle the $2 million Kentucky Turf Sprint (G2T) Aug. 30, which awards an automatic, fees-paid berth to this year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar Nov. 1 through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.
"He came (back from his layoff) really, really sharp," D'Angelo said. "He improved. He matured. He's a special horse."
Another horse he has ready for the Kentucky Downs meet off international travel is Morplay Racing and Qatar Racing's Shisospicy. The 3-year-old Mitole filly is a perfect 3-for-3 on grass in the United States with her lone hiccup on the surface coming on a straight course in June at Royal Ascot when 15th in the Commonwealth Cup (G1).
D'Angelo said the filly was ready to run in that spot, but he was unsure what ultimately led to the misfire. Given that she came back in great physical health, D'Angelo said it may have just been a dislike for the course. Having received a bit of time to relax when she returned to the U.S., Shisospicy returned to the worktab at Saratoga at the end of July.
"We gave her a little time off. She didn't need too much, just to take off the trip," D'Angelo said. "She's training excellent here at Saratoga."
Shisospicy will stretch out to 6 1/2 furlongs for the $2 million Music City Stakes (G2T) Sept. 6, which D'Angelo believes she can get based on her high-energy gallop-out after winning the May 10 Mamzelle Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs by 4 1/4 lengths over 5 1/2 furlongs.
"The way she ran the Mamzelle and how she opened up in the gallop-out, she's gonna be alright," D'Angelo said.
Shisospicy will be joined in the Music City by Cloe, who D'Angelo trains for Lugamo Racing Stable. The Tiz the Law filly won the Melody of Colors Stakes at Gulfstream Park in March and was third in the Senorita Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park in April. Most recently Cloe finished fourth in the Coronation Cup Stakes (G3T) July 11 at Saratoga.
Another potential stakes starter is Baoma Corp's Iron Hand, a 3-year-old Florida-bred son of Valiant Minister who was third in the Aug. 2 Bear's Den Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Entered as the first also-eligible to draw into the $3.5 million Nashville Derby (G3T) Aug. 30 , D'Angelo is also considering entering the four-time winner in the $2 million Gun Runner Stakes over one mile Sept. 6.
D'Angelo's meet will begin opening day Aug. 28 with the 2-year-old Raging Bull colt Ciborio, who makes his third lifetime start in a $170,000 maiden special weight.
Kentucky Downs is known as the most unique track in America thanks to its pear-shaped configuration that requires runners to go up- and downhill at different stages. D'Angelo is always one who embraces a challenge, and his past success at the course gives him confidence ahead of the meet.
"We won the first grade 1 there, everything is different," D'Angelo said. "Good horses bring me to different places. I never imagined I'd go to Saudi Arabia, Ascot, Dubai. Every race is a challenge. We have to try and do the best we can.
"Let's do it. We are ready for the winners."
