Parimutuels

Silent Witness' record streak ends at 17 in Hong Kong race

By wire services
Published May 15, 2005

HONG KONG - Silent Witness' record-breaking winning streak ended Saturday when he was narrowly beaten by Hong Kong stablemate Bullish Luck in the Champions Mile race.

On April 25 in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, Silent Witness claimed his 17th consecutive win, breaking the mark for most lifetime races without a loss in the modern era. Ajax started 18-0 in Australia in the 1930s.

The North American mark of 16 consecutive wins is shared by Citation (1948-50), Cigar (1994-96) and Hallowed Dreams (1999-00). In Europe, Ribot, an ancestor of Silent Witness, won all 16 races in his career (1954-56).

On Saturday, Silent Witness, ridden by Felix Coetzee, led most of the nearly 8-furlong race at Sha Tin Racecourse but was overtaken by Bullish Luck in the final strides. Both finished in 1 minute, 33 seconds, but Bullish Luck won by a short head. Both horses are trained by Tony Cruz.

JIM MURRAY MEMORIAL: Runaway Dancer beat Vangelis by 11/2 lengths in the 11/2-mile, $350,000 turf race at Hollywood Park, paying $37.20 to win.

GENUINE RISK HANDICAP: Bank Audit rallied to nose out Sensibly Chic in the Grade II race for fillies and mares 3 and older at Belmont.

CHURCHILL DOWNS: Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Mike Smith rode Razor to a four-length victory over Crimson Stag in the $109,700 Matt Winn Stakes for 3-year-olds.

[Last modified May 15, 2005, 01:21:24]