The Chicago Cubs had a day off on Thursday, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t something at stake. As the team prepared to start a road series against the Cincinnati Reds, many players crossed the Ohio-Kentucky border to visit Churchill Downs, where Alex Bregman’s horse, Act of Parliament, was running in the final race of the day.
In a thrilling finish, Act of Parliament came from near the back of the pack, gradually advancing along the outside before closing a significant gap in the stretch to claim victory. The Cubs roster was visibly excited and cheering him on, with video shared by trainer William Walden capturing the moment.
The players showed their enthusiasm in full force. Bregman shared Instagram stories showing teammates donning jockey silks aboard the team plane, and a clip of Pete Crow-Armstrong giving the horse a pre-race pep talk with the caption “PCA pep talk we couldn’t lose,” adding a fun boost to Bregman’s MVP candidacy. After the race, the team celebrated loudly, lifting jockey Axel Concepcion on their shoulders in jubilation.
According to MLB.com, Bregman’s passion for horse racing runs deep, rooted in his family’s history. He officially entered the sport in 2021 when he and his wife, Reagan—who also grew up around horses—launched Bregman Family Racing. Since then, their horses have competed in 90 races.
Act of Parliament’s win paid out $8.68 on a $2 bet and earned Bregman a $27,108 prize, as reported by Bloodhorse. However, that victory marked the end of Bregman’s ownership in this horse, since it was a maiden claiming race where all horses were available for immediate purchase. Equibase notes that Act of Parliament was one of five horses claimed by new owners for $20,000 each.
With a horse racing victory added to their resume, the Cubs have nine games left in their regular season. Currently, their record stands at 85-68, tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the top wild-card spot. Chicago holds the tiebreaker and has a five-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks, keeping their playoff hopes strong. If the standings remain as they are, the Cubs will host the Phillies in the National League wild-card round.
Fan Take: This crossover between baseball and horse racing highlights the growing camaraderie and excitement that can unite different sporting worlds. Bregman’s involvement and the Cubs’ support could bring fresh attention to horse racing, potentially attracting a younger, diverse fanbase eager to follow the sport’s thrilling races.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
