LEXINGTON, KY (November 30, 2007) The Kentucky Horse Park announces the arrival today of a new resident in the Hall of Champions, Kona Gold.

Kona Gold is a popular Thoroughbred who won the 2000 Breeders 'Cup Sprint (6 furlongs) in Churchill Downs and Breeders' Cup record time of 1:07.77 under Alex Solis, and nailed the Eclipse Award as Champion Sprinter that year. He also placed second and third in previous Breeders' Cup Sprints. His 11 stakes wins for trainer Bruce Headley, included the San Carlos H. (G1), Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup H. (G2) twice, Palos Verdes H. (G2), Ancient Title Breeders' Cup H. (G2), Bing Crosby Breeders' Cup H. (G2) twice, El Conejo H. (G3), Los Angeles H. (G3), and El Conejo H. (L) setting a new track record.

He retired with $2,293,284 in earnings and a record of 31-14-7-2.

Breeders' Cup Focus: Kona Gold

Kona Gold was bred by Carols Perez "Twilite Farm, and sold at the 1995 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $35,000. He is owned by his trainer, Bruce Headley (who also broke him), and Andrew and Irwin Molasky. Referring to the decision to send him to the Kentucky Horse Park, Irwin Molasky said, "We had a meeting about it because this is a difficult decision for us, because we love this animal so much but we decided that he belongs to the public. It's been such a pleasure to own an athlete like this and be involved in racing. He was such an honest horse and won so many graded races."

Since his retirement, the handsome bay son of Java Man Double Sunrise by Slew o' Gold has continued to live and work on the racetrack as a stable pony for his trainer. Now his fans are able to visit him easily at the Kentucky Horse Park. Kona Gold is the first sprinter since Forego to be welcomed into the Hall of Champions.

According to Mr. Molasky, Kona Gold still gets visitors wherever he is, probably a dozen a week. He's definitely the king of the stable. That's the way he was since he was a baby. He just had an attitude. He has a terrific temperament, a little feisty still, but if you feed him a carrot, he loves you.

KONA GOLD
Thoroughbred

Bay Gelding, 1994
by Java Gold-Double Sunrise, by Slew o? Gold
Owners: Bruce Headley, Irwin and Andrew Molasky
Breeder: Carlos Perez
Trainer: Bruce Headley

Accomplishments
Voted Champion Sprinter 2000
Won Breeders' Cup Sprint (Grade I) in stakes and Churchill Downs track record time of 1:07 3/5 for six furlongs 2000 Set track record at Santa Anita-1:01 3/5 for 5.5 furlongs 1999 Won Bing Crosby Handicap (Grade I) twice, Potrero Grande Handicap (Grade 2) twice, San Carlos Handicap (Grade 1), Ancient Title Handicap (Grade 2), El Conejo Handicap, twice Competed in record five Breeder's Cup races.

Career Record Totals