Reason to smile

By Chrys Kefalas CPKSports.com Editor-in-Chief

It took sometime to decide whether to prepare the airline reservations to fly into Albany, New York and return to Baltimore, Maryland on August 10. Time to weigh the pros and cons of going or not going. Time to picture the return flight home, tired and disappointed after watching the horse lose and finish out of the money. Time to think about watching the horse succeed through the television screen.

Three days prior Costas N. Triantafilos, thoroughbred owner for nearly fifteen years, made the decision to book the flights and voyage northward to "the place to be" during August, Saratoga Race Track. Watching his horse possibly thrive at the preeminent racing stage in America was too much to pass up, regardless of the odds that Many Smiles wouldn't win.

Sometimes you have to take chances; sometimes a wager is the right thing to do.

"I don't know if I really want to go," said Triantafilos before leaving. "I'm worried about having trouble with my flights. It might be more of a hassle than what it's worth."

Of course he didn't believe Many Smiles would win her first race ever at Saratoga. Sure he thought she would do well but win?

"I told Dale [Capuano] that I would be happy with finishing second. He said he would be disappointed not winning the race.

"I went up there thinking that I would enjoy my first visit to Saratoga. Not worrying about betting. I'd never thought we'd actually win the race."

Many Smiles fired early in the 6 1/2 furlong $41,000 maiden special. She hustled to the front of the pack and quickly began to draw clear. At the quarter pole she was up by 11/2 lengths. At the half-mile mark the lead was up to 3 1/2 and then a dazzling run around the far turn began to show that on this day Many Smiles would absolutely destroy the field.

In the end, the daughter of Polish Numbers and Saratoga Smile won by a 12 ¾ length margin, an astounding victory over a difficult field. Possible Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies contenders were left in the dust. And, looking over the track stood an ecstatic owner taking in the most glorious moment in his racing career.

"It was the happiest moment of my life," recalled a still smiling Triantafilos. "Someone told me that I was so excited that I missed the entire crowd cheering her down the stretch.

It was like a dream."

Costas N. Triantafilos and trainer Dale Capuano won for the first time at Saratoga. It wasn't the largest purse they've won, it wasn't even the greatest race they've won, but winning it could set in motion one of the greatest chapters in both their racing careers.

C&T Stables, a partnership between Triantafilos and Capuano, bred Many Smiles. They own her damn, Saratoga Smile, whose stock has risen thanks to the success of her daughter and son, Smile My Lord, third place finisher in Saratoga's Amsterdam Stakes. In fact, they have already begun to receive substantial offers for their mare.

"This could be the start of something big," noted Triantafilos. "This is how you make money in this sport."

But don't think Costas Triantafilos is too wrapped up in the jubilation of recent events. He's a seasoned racing veteran.

"Until I see the money I won't believe what we've accomplished. You can be on top of the world today and tomorrow, well, you know."

For now, standing near the top of the racing world feels good. A possible chance at a Breeder's Cup Juvenile fillies race still exists and the partnership could be nearing its largest sale of a thoroughbred ever.

Article courtesy of CPKSports.com