Student Council (horse)
Encyclopedia
Student Council is a millionaire American Thoroughbred
racehorse and successful stallion, he is the son of Kingmambo
sire of over 80 stakes winners. Bred in Kentucky
by William S. Farish III and raced under the Millennium Farms banner for his owner, Ro Parra. He finished racing with a record of 8-4-4 in 31 starts with career earnings of $
1,567,731. Student Council was best known for his wins in the grade one Pimlico Special
and the grade one Pacific Classic Stakes
.
As a four year-old Student Council began to improve and learn from his defeats. He ran in a race in ten straight months from February through November. As the summer ended Student Council began to pick up pieces of the purse finishing third twice and then second. He finally broke his maiden and won his first race after 26 months and ten attempts. His maiden win came at Churchill Downs
' Autumn Meet at eight and a half furlongs. He followed that score with another win at Keeneland
again at eight and a half furlongs in an allowance race in 1:44.10. In his final race of the year he reeled off another allowance win in November at Turfway Park
at an even mile in 1:37.62 on the all-whether track. He finished a successful year with three wins in his last four starts and a record of (10): 3-1-2 with annual earnings of $105,718.
at Oaklawn Park
. He lost that race to Magna Graduate on the first Saturday in March. Student Council raced again in March and won the $100,000 Maxxam Gold Cup Handicap at Sam Houston Park at nine furlongs by 3-1/4 lengths. On the first Saturday in May, Student Council placed third in the $115,000 grade three Alysheba Stakes
at Churchill Downs on the Derby undercard. He lost that race to up and coming Wanderin Boy.
In the summer of 2007, Student Council won two of the best races of his career. As a 23-1 longshot, he stunned the field of 12 in the $1,100,000 grade one Pacific Classic Stakes
at Del Mar
. Under jockey Richard Migliore he beat runner-ups Awesome Gem and Hello Sunday as well as favorite Lava Man
that August day at a mile and a quarter in 2:07.29. In September, he won his second straight graded race by winning the $500,000 grade two Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap
outside Chicago's Hawthorne Race Course
. He beat Jonesboro and A. P. Arrow at ten furlongs in 2:05.00. The victory puts Student Council in the Breeders' Cup Classic through the 'Win and You're In' program. He finished the year as a millionaire with a record of (9): 4-2-1 and annual earnings of $1,041,755.
on November 24 at Nakayama racecourse. He finished fifth in the grade two San Antonio Handicap
and sixth in the grade one Santa Anita Handicap
both at Santa Anita Park. He came into the "Special" off a seventh-place finish in the grade three John B. Connally Turf Handicap at Sam Houston Race Park on April 5.
He was moved from the barn of Vladimir Cerin and moved to Eclipse Award
winning trainer Steve Asmussen
. Student Council fought back like a Rocky story and won perhaps the most memorable race of his career in the $500,000 grade one Pimlico Special
on the day before the Preakness Stakes
. Dismissed at odds of 7.50-to-1, he was only one of two grade one winners in the field of seven. The victory was especially significant for owner Ro Parra because he grew up in Lexington Park, Maryland, and attended, by his estimate, at least 15 editions of the Preakness.
Ridden for the first time by jockey Shaun Bridgmohan
, Student Council rated in last as they passed the stands for the first time. Gotta Gold and Exchanger led the race and set a moderate early pace with fractions of :23.8, :47.4, and 1:11.3 in the first 3/4 of a mile. On the far turn Grasshopper, Sir Whimsey and Student Council rushed at the leaders. Gotta Gold was still leading at the top of the stretch clocking one mile at a time of 1:36. Down the lane, Student Council gradually reeled in Gottcha Gold, beating him by a neck at the wire in 1:54.8 on a muddy track. The top two cleared third place finisher Sir Whimsey by 5-3/4 lengths. Mineshaft Handicap winner Grasshopper finished fifth as the 2-to-1 favorite.
Later that year in July, he finished second in the $750,000 grade one Whitney Handicap
at Saratoga Race Course
to Commentator. In August he finished third in the $750,000 grade one Hollywood Gold Cup
to Mast Track and Go Between. He record as a six year-old was (7): 1-1-1 with annual earnings of $415,000.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse and successful stallion, he is the son of Kingmambo
Kingmambo
Kingmambo is an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse.-Background:He was sired by the leading stud, Mr...
sire of over 80 stakes winners. Bred in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
by William S. Farish III and raced under the Millennium Farms banner for his owner, Ro Parra. He finished racing with a record of 8-4-4 in 31 starts with career earnings of $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1,567,731. Student Council was best known for his wins in the grade one Pimlico Special
Pimlico Special
The Pimlico Special is an American thoroughbred horse race held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland in mid May. It is raced on dirt over a distance of 1³/16 miles . The race is currently open to horses age three and older and offers a purse of $250,000.The Pimlico Special was first run in...
and the grade one Pacific Classic Stakes
Pacific Classic Stakes
The Pacific Classic Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for runners aged 3-year-old or up run at the classic American distance of a mile and a quarter...
.
Early career
Student Council was a horse that many owners or trainers may have given up on, he did not win any races as at age two, three or even most of his four year-old season. In fact in his two year-old season he raced three times. Not only did he not win but he did not even finish in-the-money in any of those three races. His record as a two year-old was (3): 0-0-0 with annual earnings of $2,758 in 2004. That earnings figure would not even cover his feed bill for the year. The next year was even worse, he injured himself and only raced once as a three year-old and the results were no different. Student Council did not even hit the board. His record as a three year-old was (1): 0-0-0 with annual earnings of only $2,500 in 2005.As a four year-old Student Council began to improve and learn from his defeats. He ran in a race in ten straight months from February through November. As the summer ended Student Council began to pick up pieces of the purse finishing third twice and then second. He finally broke his maiden and won his first race after 26 months and ten attempts. His maiden win came at Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
' Autumn Meet at eight and a half furlongs. He followed that score with another win at Keeneland
Keeneland
Keeneland is a Thoroughbred horse racing facility and sales complex in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Operated by the Keeneland Association, Inc., it is also known for its reference library on the sport, which contains more than 10,000 volumes, an extensive videocassette collection, and a substantial...
again at eight and a half furlongs in an allowance race in 1:44.10. In his final race of the year he reeled off another allowance win in November at Turfway Park
Turfway Park
Turfway Park is an American horse racing track located just outside the city limits to the north of Florence, Kentucky, about 10 miles south of the Ohio River at Cincinnati...
at an even mile in 1:37.62 on the all-whether track. He finished a successful year with three wins in his last four starts and a record of (10): 3-1-2 with annual earnings of $105,718.
Five year-old season
At age five, Student Council began to fill out and started taking on graded stakes company. In that company he not only fared well but he won prize money in some very impressive stakes races. He started the year with a second place finish in the $150,000 grade three Razorback HandicapRazorback Handicap
The Razorback Handicap is a race for Thoroughbred horses run at Oaklawn Park each year. The race is open to four-year-olds and up willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt...
at Oaklawn Park
Oaklawn Park
Oaklawn Park is an American thoroughbred racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is the home to The Racing Festival of the South.In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Of the top Ten, Oaklawn was ranked...
. He lost that race to Magna Graduate on the first Saturday in March. Student Council raced again in March and won the $100,000 Maxxam Gold Cup Handicap at Sam Houston Park at nine furlongs by 3-1/4 lengths. On the first Saturday in May, Student Council placed third in the $115,000 grade three Alysheba Stakes
Alysheba Stakes
The Alysheba Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. The Alysheba became the most recent addition to the Derby Week stakes lineup as it joined the schedule in 2004 and is currently run on the undercard of the Kentucky Oaks,...
at Churchill Downs on the Derby undercard. He lost that race to up and coming Wanderin Boy.
In the summer of 2007, Student Council won two of the best races of his career. As a 23-1 longshot, he stunned the field of 12 in the $1,100,000 grade one Pacific Classic Stakes
Pacific Classic Stakes
The Pacific Classic Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for runners aged 3-year-old or up run at the classic American distance of a mile and a quarter...
at Del Mar
Del Mar
- Places :In the United States* Del Mar, California* Del Mar, Texas* Del Mar High School, located in San Jose, California* Del Mar Racetrack, located in Del Mar, California* Del Mar Fairgrounds located in Del Mar, California- People :...
. Under jockey Richard Migliore he beat runner-ups Awesome Gem and Hello Sunday as well as favorite Lava Man
Lava Man
Lava Man is a dark bay thoroughbred gelding by Slew City Slew out of L'il Ms. Leonard . He who rose from the lowest levels of race horse claiming races to become regarded by many racing fans and members of the racing media as a legend in his own time...
that August day at a mile and a quarter in 2:07.29. In September, he won his second straight graded race by winning the $500,000 grade two Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap
Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap
The Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap is a Grade II race for thoroughbred horses run at Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney, Illinois each year. The Hawthorne Gold Cup trophy has always been made of solid gold....
outside Chicago's Hawthorne Race Course
Hawthorne Race Course
Hawthorne Race Course is a race track for horse racing in Stickney/Cicero, Illinois, near Chicago.The oldest continually-run family-owned racetrack in North America, in 2009 the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America...
. He beat Jonesboro and A. P. Arrow at ten furlongs in 2:05.00. The victory puts Student Council in the Breeders' Cup Classic through the 'Win and You're In' program. He finished the year as a millionaire with a record of (9): 4-2-1 and annual earnings of $1,041,755.
Six year-old season
In his six year-old season in 2008, Student Council fell back to his losing ways, failing to place in four straight races. His owner Ro Parra said Student Council struggled to recover from an eighth-place finish in the Japan Cup DirtJapan Cup Dirt
The Japan Cup Dirt is a race usually run a week after the Japan Cup.- Race Information :* Racecourse: Hanshin Racecourse* Distance: 1,800 meters The Japan Cup Dirt (JPN G-1) is a race usually run a week after the Japan Cup.- Race Information :* Racecourse: Hanshin Racecourse* Distance: 1,800...
on November 24 at Nakayama racecourse. He finished fifth in the grade two San Antonio Handicap
San Antonio Handicap
The San Antonio Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the first week of February at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California...
and sixth in the grade one Santa Anita Handicap
Santa Anita Handicap
The Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses four years old and up , and is considered the most important race for older horses in North America during the winter racing season...
both at Santa Anita Park. He came into the "Special" off a seventh-place finish in the grade three John B. Connally Turf Handicap at Sam Houston Race Park on April 5.
He was moved from the barn of Vladimir Cerin and moved to Eclipse Award
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
winning trainer Steve Asmussen
Steve Asmussen
Steven Mark Asmussen is an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. Born into a horse racing family, his parents, Keith and Marilyn "Sis" Asmussen, are both trainers who operate El Primero Training Center off the Mines Road in Laredo, the seat of Webb County in south Texas...
. Student Council fought back like a Rocky story and won perhaps the most memorable race of his career in the $500,000 grade one Pimlico Special
Pimlico Special
The Pimlico Special is an American thoroughbred horse race held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland in mid May. It is raced on dirt over a distance of 1³/16 miles . The race is currently open to horses age three and older and offers a purse of $250,000.The Pimlico Special was first run in...
on the day before the Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
. Dismissed at odds of 7.50-to-1, he was only one of two grade one winners in the field of seven. The victory was especially significant for owner Ro Parra because he grew up in Lexington Park, Maryland, and attended, by his estimate, at least 15 editions of the Preakness.
Ridden for the first time by jockey Shaun Bridgmohan
Shaun Bridgmohan
Shaun X. Bridgmohan is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.At age thirteen, Bridgmohan's family emigrated to the United States, settling in South Florida where he developed an interest in horse racing...
, Student Council rated in last as they passed the stands for the first time. Gotta Gold and Exchanger led the race and set a moderate early pace with fractions of :23.8, :47.4, and 1:11.3 in the first 3/4 of a mile. On the far turn Grasshopper, Sir Whimsey and Student Council rushed at the leaders. Gotta Gold was still leading at the top of the stretch clocking one mile at a time of 1:36. Down the lane, Student Council gradually reeled in Gottcha Gold, beating him by a neck at the wire in 1:54.8 on a muddy track. The top two cleared third place finisher Sir Whimsey by 5-3/4 lengths. Mineshaft Handicap winner Grasshopper finished fifth as the 2-to-1 favorite.
Later that year in July, he finished second in the $750,000 grade one Whitney Handicap
Whitney Handicap
The Whitney Handicap is an American Grade 1 handicap race for Thoroughbred racehorses three years of age and older run at a distance of 1⅛ miles. In 2007, the Breeders' Cup Ltd...
at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
to Commentator. In August he finished third in the $750,000 grade one Hollywood Gold Cup
Hollywood Gold Cup
The Hollywood Gold Cup is an American Grade I stakes race for thoroughbred horses inaugurated in 1938 at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. It was run as a handicap race until 1997 when it was switched to weight-for-age conditions...
to Mast Track and Go Between. He record as a six year-old was (7): 1-1-1 with annual earnings of $415,000.