Awesome Gem returned to his winning ways and boosted his earnings to $2,688,270 when he took the $200,000 Longacres Mile Handicap (gr. III) by a solid 1 ½-length margin Sunday at Emerald Downs.
Awesome Gem returned to his winning ways and boosted his earnings to $2,688,270 when he took the $200,000 Longacres Mile Handicap (gr. III) by a solid 1 ½-length margin Sunday at Emerald Downs.
In 2009, Awesome Gem ran second behind Assessment in the Longacres Mile. This year, making his seventh start at a seventh different track for trainer Craig Dollase and making his first start at one mile on the dirt since then, he completed the race in 1:34.80.
“You’ve gotta love him,” said winning trainer Craig Dollase. “What he’s done is amazing. He has no idea that he’s eight-years-old, and really loves his job. This is a very special horse.”
"An amazing day with Awesome Gem winning the Longacres Mile (G3)! The longer he completes at this level, the more I'm learning to appreciate what a truly special horse he is, and how blessed I've been to be one of the partners who own this incredible animal. He continues to take us on the ride of a lifetime and provides one thrill after another."
Awesome Gem has now started 46 times in his career under the West Point black and gold, with nine wins, 14 seconds, and five thirds. He has finished in the top three in 18 graded races, taking his partners on a wonderful ride.
