By his recollection, it has been 40 years since trainer Brett Creighton got his trainer’s license, with his first official starters coming in 1989, according to Equibase records.
In that time, his most successful horse by earnings, Humble Smarty, ran 90 times from 2006-14. Creighton was the trainer for most of those starts and the best the Mutakddim gelding could do is a handful of black-type wins.
Now, after 1,346 starts, Creighton has a graded stakes winner.
Keene Thoroughbreds’ Frost Free went gate to wire to win the $200,000 Chick Lang Stakes (G3) May 18 at Pimlico Race Course.
“I’ve been in the business a very long time. And you know, it means a lot,” Creighton said, accomplishing the milestone on one of the industry’s biggest days.
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The son of Frosted was unbothered by the muddy track. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who had never ridden the 3-year-old before Saturday, had a simple approach: He let the colt run his race.
“I let him be happy, let him be free, let him be relaxed. He was there for me whenever I wanted him to,” said Ortiz.
The gray or roan colt posted fractional times of :23.24, :46.66, and :58.80 before stopping the clock at 1:11.39. Frost Free paid $5.60 as the 9-5 favorite.
Coming down the stretch, Frost Free moved off the rail and began venturing further outward before Ortiz took control and closed out the 1 1/2-length victory. Cats by Five and Mr Skylight respectively finished second and third.
Creighton said he has not thought about a next race for his trainee but will send him back to a training center in Hot Springs, Ark.
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