LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Alex Bregman and his Chicago Cubs teammates celebrated the third baseman's horse winning a race at Churchill Downs.
It was short-lived, however, when the horse was claimed by new owners afterward.
Act of Parliament overcame a troubled start under jockey Axel Concepcion and rallied to win by three-quarters of a length on Thursday. The 3-year-old colt paid $8.68 to win.
"It was electric,” winning trainer Will Walden said. “To have
Alex and the entire team here and then have the horse come through like that made it a pretty special night.”
The Cubs visited the historic Louisville track on their off day before opening a three-game set at Cincinnati on Friday.
Cubs MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered a pep talk to Act of Parliament in the paddock before the race. Cubs manager Craig Counsell led the colt into the winner's circle afterward.
Several Cubs rookies dressed in racing-themed costumes, including pitcher Ryan Rolison, who donned a horse costume, and Pedro Ramirez, who dressed as a jockey.
Bregman Family Racing, the ballplayer's stable, bought Act of Parliament for $65,000.
The colt earned $27,108 for his first career victory. But Bregman lost him in the claiming race.
Act of Parliament was claimed for $20,000 afterward in a random blind draw used to break a tie when six different owners submitted bids beforehand to buy the colt. He was then transferred to a new trainer.
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