LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A horse named for Dr. Anthony Fauci won his first race at Keeneland on Thursday.
The 2-year-old colt won by 1 length as the heavy favorite against 11 rivals in the $70,000 race. Fauci ran 5 ½ furlongs on turf in 58.65 seconds under jockey Tyler Gaffalione and paid $4.20 to win.
Fauci finished second in his career debut at New York's Belmont Park on June 3 for trainer Wesley Ward. The colt is named for the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who is advising the White House on the coronavirus pandemic.
The victory, worth $42,000, increased Fauci's career earnings to $54,800.
Fauci was purchased for $175,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.