G2 Winner Manny Wah Seeks to End Drought in Dave’s Friend
At 0h03, on November 22, 2024 • By Laurel Park
Susan Moulton’s well-traveled millionaire Manny Wah, without a victory since becoming a Grade 2 winner 25 months ago, will attempt to end his drought when he comes to Maryland for the first time in Saturday’s $100,000 Dave’s Friend at Laurel Park.
With $1,005,359 in purse earnings from 47 starts, 8-year-old Manny Wah is the richest and second most experienced horse in a field of seven that includes Grade 3 winner Dean Delivers, Grade 2-placed Witty and Five Dreams (51 starts) – all nine-time winners.
“He came into the barn this summer and he’s been doing well,” Kentucky-based trainer John Ennis said. “He’s an older horse now so you don’t know what they’re going to do, really, but no complaints. He’s been great to have around.”
Laurel will be the 13th track in nine states for Manny Wah, who broke his maiden second time out in July 2018 at old Arlington Park near Chicago. He has finished in the top three 24 times including 11 seconds and eight thirds to go along with five wins, the most recent coming in the 2022 Phoenix (G2) at Keeneland.
“He could probably drive the truck himself at this point,” Ennis said. “He moves fantastically and he still shows and looks like he has the hunger for it, so we’re going to give it a go and see if we can get him back on the winning trail.”
Ennis, a 42-year-old native of Ireland, was the regular exercise rider for Hall of Famer Wise Dan who took out his trainer’s license in 2012 and won his first race a year later. He already has a personal best 36 wins and $2 million in purse earnings in 2024.
Manny Wah joined Ellis over the summer after previously being trained by Wayne Catalano, Hall of Famer Bob Baffert and Will Walden, and has raced three times including a third in a Belterra Park allowance Aug. 28. Most recently the son of champion Will Take Charge was a longshot sixth in the six-furlong Phoenix Oct. 4.
“He came out of the Phoenix perfect, no problems at all. He seems to be going into this race fresh and well,” Ennis said. “We’ll take a shot and hopefully it’ll be a little softer competition than his last race was, but he’s doing good.”
