Library Odenkirk enjoyed a small field and remained perfect in two career starts, from the gate and scoring more than five lengths in Sunday’s $125,000 Show Stakes (L) at Woodbine.
The field of five first-timers to contest the seven-furlong main track sprint was 2-year-olds, but early line favorite Quipster was ruled by Vet Wound in the gate at the start.
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With the field reduced to four, Odenkirk, from post 2, slightly broken by Uncle Dodo, soon broke clear and left the seven-furlong furlong one length behind the unbridled Liberty. Following in the third rod, uncle Dodo leaves in the fourth.
Fourteen, all colts, cut off one pack at the half with Odenkirk, opening fourth in :23.37, continuing to lead through the half mile in :46.58.
Into the final quarter, a confident Rafael Hernandez pulled the lead back to the contest, before Odenkirk broke away and the match widened sharply in the lane, going on to win by 5 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:22.30. His six-race time was 1:10.14.
Uncle Dodon’s second choice was reduced to his second. The third rod, and unbridled Liberty, to pay the local debt, was the fourth.
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Hernandez, who won the North American career number 3,500 earlier in Sunday’s schedule, was asked post-race if Quipster’s pre-race injury had bothered his calf.
“Yes, really, no, no, it’s a blow. When I warmed up the horse today, it was hard to run if they rushed me,” said Hernandez, who was set to make his debut on Odenkirk’s boat on September 26.
In that race, the bay son of Nyquist turned professional in training in a six-furlong sprint over the firm EP Taylor Turf Course, leading in the second and first half of the race, to win by 1 3/4 lengths.
A $130,000 purchase at the 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from owner DJ Stable, Hernandez marveled at the ease with which Mark Casse Odenkirk taught him in winning exhibitions.
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“Yeah, all right. Just waiting for the team. Whoever’s gonna come, I’m gonna give me another kick,” he said.
Bred in Ontario by Anderson Farms Inc, Odenkirk (out of Astrollinthepark, by Divine Park) was winning in his synthetic debut after debuting on turf on Sept. 28.
Odenkirk dropped 6-5 between the favorites and returned $4.70 to win.
This story was first published by Paulick Report on Oct. 12 2026, when first in the church News section Add the Paulck Report as Preferred Source by clicking here.