[Kasept]

Another deliriously fun afternoon at Churchill Downs for the Dee Tee crew and Sumwonlovesyou!!

Most importantly... Sumwon exited her second place effort in Saturday's 7th in fine order: a bit more tired than after her effort in April, but bright, alert and happy to greet the 15+ partners who visited her at Barn 14 afterwards. She ate up last night, and was a picture of health, happiness and soundness Sunday morning.

POSITIVES ABOUND..

Other than hitting the wire first, Sumwonlovesyou's return to allowance company results in nothing but positives, and there are pluses to finishing second in this spot as well (retaining the condition while padding her earnings with a $10,000 check). The sophomore daughter of Came Home and Mysterious Moll continues to learn and improve with every start under the expert direction of Chuck Simon, his staff and Willie Martinez.

DEMONSTRATES TRACTABILITY..

Sumwon added a new attribute to her bag of tricks Saturday, rating willingly and comfortably for Martinez after being used early to gain position into the first turn. Into the backstretch, Martinez followed the script rehearsed with Chuck beforehand, allowing Kooky Kent D. and Dale Roman's $200,000 4yo Phillips Pride to set the pace.

TAKES DIRT FOR FIRST TIME..

Taking dirt in her face for the first time, Sumwon was content to listen to Slick Willie. "She ate a lot of dirt and it didn't bother her a lick," Martinez told Simon after the race. "She wanted to go but let me give her the word when." Approaching the turn, Martinez gave her the 'word', got to the leader effortlessly, and loomed a threat for all the money by the top of the long Churchill lane. That's when the action really got interesting...

STAYS ON BETWEEN HORSES..

As Sumwon tried for the advantage on the front end, Steve Asmussen's Humble Janet was sneaking through on the rail under Shaun Bridgmohan, and a patient Robby Albarado was rallying wide outside on Ralph Nicks' Le Chateau, the even money favorite. As Nicks' Chester House filly and Sumwon tussled as Phillips Pride gave way, Humble Janet grabbed the lead briefly, only to find Sumwon unwilling to allow her to get away.

With horses challenging her left and right, Sumwon addressed the rail runner first as the three came together before the eighth pole. "She took the heart right out of the filly on the rail when we passed her," said Willie, "and she wanted the one outside us too." The top pair edged forward in the next sixteenth, and as in Sumwon's April placing, with every reason to pack it in, Sumwon persevered to the wire. She was a head shy as the camera snapped, but refused to stop running after the finish galloping out past the winner.

MARTINEZ: "She's a sweetheart.."

"Man she's a sweetheart to ride Chuck," Willie smiled on the track apron as he grudgingly accepted the near-miss. "Anything I ask she does, and she tried twice as hard as last time. She took a lot of dirt and didn't flinch.. went and got Kent's horse when I want.. didn't bother when we bumped or shy a bit when we all come together at the top of the stretch. She don't stop trying... We're going to get our wins."

HAPPY PARTNERS.. GROWING FAN BASE..

With partners, their family and friends totaling more than 20, the mood created by Sumwon's performance was ebullient. Additionally, with Chuck's popularity at the Downs, a growing familiarity with the Churchill fans, her dogged style and rise from $15,000 claimer ranks to $50,000 allowance runner, Sumwon's fan base continues to swell. Several dozen railbirds expressed well wishes to the Dee Tee faithful, Chuck and Willie, many saying they had bet her in April and were eagerly awaiting this next start.

They, and anyone else with an interest in Sumwonlovesyou, couldn't have been disappointed... There is only one rational conclusion to be drawn from Saturday's experience, and that is one of total contentment with the progress of this $24,000 purchase. Sumwonlovesyou continues to mature, improve and perform far above anyone's expectation. She should only continue to get better as the year progresses, and her demonstration of a willingness to run as far as she is asked opens the door to an even wider number of opportunities going forward.

I hope everyone enjoyed this third forray for Dee Tee Stables, and Chuck, his staff and I graciously thank all that have been so supportive and appreciative of the undertaking. It's an exciting adventure, and everyone shares in the experience. Much more to come when Chuck gets an opportunity to add his thoughts about Saturday and what lies ahead...