In the demanding world of thoroughbred racing, few horses embody the spirit of resilience and consistent performance quite like Beverly Park. Throughout 2022, this remarkable bay gelding faced the starter an impressive 30 times, achieving victory in 15 of those races. This accomplishment places him in elite company, as he became the first horse since the legendary Rapid Redux in 2011 to win more than 13 races in a single season. Beverly Park’s enduring spirit and capability have made him a standout in a sport often characterized by fleeting moments of glory.
Trainer Norman “Lynn” Cash, a relative newcomer to the training ranks after decades in the roofing business, has developed a profound understanding of his equine athlete. Cash, who obtained his trainer’s license just two years prior to the article’s writing, has spent extensive time traveling with Beverly Park, often driving the van himself. This close partnership has allowed Cash to observe firsthand the horse’s remarkable constitution and unwavering desire to perform. “His front legs are just as cold and tight as any young horse,” Cash remarked, highlighting Beverly Park’s exceptional physical condition.
Cash’s training philosophy for Beverly Park emphasizes allowing the horse to dictate his own rhythm. He rarely breezed the horse in the year and a half they’ve been together, opting instead for gentle jogs or even walks into the next race. This patient approach is rooted in Cash’s belief that Beverly Park is a natural-born workhorse. “Whether it’s racing or going to the track in the morning, he wants to go out there and do it,” Cash explained. He further described the horse’s characteristic “happy bounce” and “spring in his step” when heading to the track, a testament to his innate enthusiasm. As winter transitioned to spring, Beverly Park settled into a more consistent racing pattern, with approximately 19 days of rest between starts, a schedule Cash believes is optimal for his charge.
The journey into horse racing for Lynn and Lola Cash began in 2012 after witnessing the success of I’ll Have Another. Inspired by the relatively low purchase price of that champion, the Cashes decided to venture into racehorse ownership. Initially, their involvement was sporadic, with horse ownership coinciding with periods of financial flexibility from their roofing business. However, as Cash became more immersed in the sport, his passion for both the racing and the animals grew. “It just really came and grabbed me,” he shared. By 2021, Cash had transitioned his roofing business to his sons, fully dedicating himself to pursuing his dream in racing.
Operating under the banner of Cash’s Built Wright Stables, the operation began modestly and grew to nearly 50 horses by December 2022. Cash manages racing strings at both Laurel Park and The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, Kentucky. His dedication is evident in the extensive travel and management required to sustain such an operation. Even on days with multiple races across different venues, Cash ensures his horses are placed in races that suit their abilities. For instance, a day before Beverly Park’s victory at Fair Grounds, Cash had horses competing at Aqueduct Racetrack and Laurel Park, alongside a stakes win by Aunt Bee at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.
Cash’s success extends beyond Beverly Park, as he has a notable ability to transform claiming horses into stakes winners. A prime example is Double Crown, a gelding acquired for $40,000, who secured a surprising 42-1 upset victory in the Kelso Handicap (G2). However, it is Beverly Park who has truly brought Cash into the national spotlight. “This horse gets a lot of ink,” Cash noted. “Everywhere I go, people ask me about him.” He humbly attributes much of the success to the horse himself, stating, “It really is 98% he’s just a great animal and 2% me. I just happened to grab his coattail as he went by.”
Beverly Park’s pedigree is undeniably strong. Purchased for $12,500 at Belterra on August 5, 2021, he is by the reputable sire Munnings. His dam, Madeira Park, was a Canadian Grade 3 winner and earned over $318,000. The dam’s side of the family also boasts impressive talent, including stakes-placed runner Hartel and accomplished horses like Manny Wah, Blended Citizen, and the millionaire Lookin At Lee.
Beverly Park’s racing career prior to joining Cash’s barn was inconsistent. After breaking his maiden in a $150,000 maiden claiming race at Keeneland, his form declined, leading to a drop in claiming price. He eventually was entered for $5,000 in July of his four-year-old year, following a nine-month layoff. It was during this time that he achieved a commanding 15 1/2 length victory, marking the beginning of his dominance in starter allowance races.
The starter allowance condition, often for horses claimed for $5,000 within the last two years, has proven to be a perfect fit for Beverly Park. “I didn’t know the power of a starter (allowance) horse back then,” Cash admitted. “I just figured, ‘Wow, I could get three or four wins with this horse.’ But this guy has paid for himself probably 40 times over. We’re coming up on a half million in purse money that he’s won for us.” To date, Beverly Park has earned over $536,730, with $295,628 of that coming in 2022 alone. His lifetime record stands at an impressive 25 wins, 7 seconds, and 4 thirds in 47 starts.
Beverly Park’s journey continued with a series of six consecutive wins for Cash, including an allowance race at Churchill Downs. The durable gelding typically competes in shorter, one-turn races on dirt, often between 5 1/2 and seven furlongs. Cash’s willingness to travel significant distances with Beverly Park has been key to finding suitable races, as rival trainers often shy away when Beverly Park is entered locally. In 2022, Beverly Park raced across the country, competing at venues such as Fair Grounds, Mahoning Valley, Charles Town, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Colonial Downs, Timonium, Delaware Park, Belterra Park, Monmouth Park, Turfway Park, Laurel Park, and Oaklawn Park. “I would rather hit the road and travel somewhere to find the right race than stay in the same spot and bang my head against the wall because we’re in a race where we don’t fit,” Cash stated, emphasizing his commitment to Beverly Park’s success.
As July 2023 approaches, Beverly Park will age out of the starter $5,000 condition. However, Cash remains optimistic about the horse’s future. He hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Beverly Park competing in stakes races, provided the horse remains sound and willing. “This horse won’t run in a claiming race. I couldn’t stand that as he’s such a part of me and a part of this barn,” Cash declared. He envisions a potential foray into a small stakes race, believing Beverly Park deserves the opportunity. Should he achieve success at a graded-stakes level, Cash even muses about Beverly Park potentially becoming a breeding stallion in a smaller state, or at the very least, fathering future runners among his own nine broodmares. With six months until the condition changes, Cash remains hopeful for continued success, predicting another 10 to 12 wins for Beverly Park in the upcoming year, a feat he acknowledges would be extraordinary.
