ANIMAL KINGDOM (KY) Trainer: Graham Motion
Owner: Team Valor International
Breeder: Team Valor
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) (Candy Stripes, Dissemble (GB))
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Dalicia (GER) (Acatenango (GER), Dynamis (IRE))
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 2-0-6-0-0 (8) 1.67
Foal Date: March 20, 2008
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On June 6, Animal Kingdom breezed four in :47.60 (1/33) at BEL.
June 5 NOTE: Animal Kingdom arrived at Belmont Park today.
May 30 NOTE: Animal Kingdom resumed galloping today at Fair Hill Training Center after jogging yesterday and being "full of himself," according to trainer Motion. He is scheduled to breeze next Monday either at Fair Hill or at Belmont Park.
May 21 Grade I Preakness Stakes, Pimlico, 1 3 1/6 Mile. Animal Kingdom closed to get second behind winner Shackleford.
Graham Motion – “He ran huge. It’s tough to come that close, but he ran a huge race. I kind of thought for an instant that he might get there, but I wasn’t sure. It’s kind of ironic because Dale led me down to the winner’s circle after the Derby. They ran quick early. That was fine. I think they just slowed it down in the middle of the race and that really helped that horse.
“I had my doubts (about catching Shackleford). I felt like he was coming and coming, but I had a feeling that he wasn’t going to get there. But he ran huge. I’m thrilled with how he ran. Johnny said it was just a different scenario today because he was that far back that he got a lot of dirt in his face and kind of struggled with it a little bit. He ran a huge race. I can’t believe what Johnny weaved through the last three-eighths of a mile. But he was coming and coming. I cannot believe to get that close; I’m not sure what is better, if we were that close or to be beaten further.
“ Shoot, we won the Derby and we just got beat in the Preakness. I would love to win a Triple Crown, as much for me as for everybody else. There is so much pressure to do that because it would be so good for the game. But it wasn’t meant to be. The horse ran a great race. He did nothing wrong. I think the horse ran huge. If it wasn’t for the fact that it was the Triple Crown, you’d be thrilled that he ran so well.”
“I couldn’t see much, but I could see that when they turned down the backstretch Johnny was having to niggle him along a little bit just to stay up. Probably the difference of getting dirt in his face and a different scenario. The horse did nothing wrong. The horse ran a great race. Johnny rode a great race.
“(The Belmont) definitely will be a possibility, as long as he’s OK. I heard Barry (Irwin) mention it and I think Johnny feels strongly that it would suit him. We’ll see how he came out of it. He’s got two really tough races, but if he comes out of this one the way he came out of the Derby, I don’t know why we wouldn’t take a shot.”
John Velazquez – “We were just too far back. When I wanted him to go, he got dirt kicked in his face. So then I had to pull him farther back than I wanted him to be. By the time I had the chance to go, he was coming, but it was too late. He came out of the race great. Unfortunately this is part of the business.”
May 7, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Animal Kingdom won the race from off the pace. He was timed in 2:02.04. It was his first start on the dirt.
Winning trainer Graham Motion: "Somebody said, are you surprised to win with a second tier horse, and I said, I'm not sure we would categorize him as a second tier horse. He's been an extraordinary horse to train in the morning. What Barry said to me, I was running Animal Kingdom with him, I liked Pluck but this one is special. He's done everything. He's just a very special horse and I was so impressed with how he handled everything today. Johnny said both him and the horse were so relaxed. Johnny said I was relaxed but I think that was more for show. He's just a very special horse."
Winning jockey John Velazquez: "We talked about it before the race and the whole thing we wanted to do, basically get some sort of position and stay out of trouble. That was our thing. Hopefully we get a clean trip without having so much trouble and even we save a little bit of ground but not so much where we get into attack or get into trouble. He did everything so good, and he gave me so much confidence going into that first tur,n and he was going well the whole way around, you know, it's like you have to have the horse to get out of trouble and to get the spot that you want, and he did that. And when I asked him to run, he was there for me."
March 26, Grade III Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes, Turfway Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Animal Kingdom (3-1) won. Positive Response (8-5) set a brisk pace for the first half-mile, running it in :46.56, with longshot Son of Posse and Decisive Moment (6-1) tracking him, switching up in second and third. Animal Kingdom missed the break and was last of eleven after a quarter-mile and seventh after a half.
Heading into the second turn, Decisive Moment had assumed command with the first six furlongs in the book in 1:12.57. Meanwhile, Animal Kingdom was steadily progressing on the leaders. Moving through the turn, Animal Kingdom continued picking off horses and made his run for the lead. Into the stretch, it turned into a two-horse race, but Animal Kingdom looked like the clear winner by the sixteenth pole and prevailed over Decisive Moment by 2 3/4 lengths. He was timed in 1:52.32 under Alan Garcia. Twinspired (14-1) finished third, beaten six lengths, and Beachcombing (8-1) was another 5 3/4 lengths back in third.
Trainer Graham Motion: "I think it was a very impressive race today. Today you can't afford to get too far out of it.... That makes his race all that more impressive. We knew there would be an honest pace. I just told Alan to run his race.
We haven't had him on the dirt but it's something Barry (Irwin) and I will talk about. I don't think distance is a problem. ow he's got the earnings. We know he's an impressive animal.
Jockey Alan Garcia: My horse didn't break that well, and I had a little bit of trouble around the first turn. So I decided to be patient and save ground. My horse responded very well today. I figured that if he was good enough, he would make a move and he did. I'm very excited. The long distances will be good for him. Wherever they want to go with this horse, I want to be there."
March 3, Entry Level Allowance, Gulfstream Park, One Mile (T). Animal Kingdom finished second to Powhatan County, beaten a head. The winner was timed in 1:34.66. Animal Kingdom didn't break very well and was fifth of nine in the early going.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Animal Kingdom started twice, winning his second time out. HIs debut was an off-the-turf, on-the-synthetic going 1 1/16 mile at Arlington when Willcox Inn beat him 2 3/4 lengths. He won at Keeneland on Oct. 23, prevailing by 3 1/4 lengths at 1 1/8 mile, timed in 1:49.01.
BRILLIANT SPEED (FL) Trainer: Tom Albertrani
Owner: Live Oak Plantation
Breeder: Live Oak Stud
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Dynaformer (Roberto, Andover Way)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Speed Succeeds (Gone West, Daijin)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 7-3-23-0-1 (34) 1.72
Foal Date: April 22, 2008
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On May 23, Brilliant Speed breezed five in 1:00.00 (3/8) at BEL.
On June 1, Brilliant Speed breezed five in 1:03.00 (3/3) at BEL.
On June 7, Brilliannt Speed breezed five in :50.40 (19/19) at BEL.
May 7, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Brillliant Speed finished seventh, beaten 5 1/2 lengths. Trainer Tom Albertrani: “He's come back fine so far. He's in a good shape. He ran good."
Jockey Joel Rosario: "I had a good trip. My horse after the first turn was a little bit aggressive. I just tried to hold him back a little bit and take my time on the inside but I couldn't. Maybe that doesn't happen and I can finish maybe third or something like that. But I got a good trip. I got on the outside, probably a little wide but for the Derby you got to make sure you don't get stopped or anything like that. Whatever you can find where you're clear you have to take."
April 16, Grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland, 1 1/8 Mile. In a race that Keeneland oddsmaker Mike Battaglia and a host of others termed "wide open" before it was run, the result was almost as uncertain afterward as before. But after a photo was examined, Brilliant Speed was the winner in 1:50.92 after being sent off at 20-1.
After the gate opened, Joes Blazing Aaron set a pedestrian pace that foreshadowed the final time, covering the first six furlongs in fractions of :25.14, :50.33 and 1:14.76. He was followed closely by Praetereo, Twinspired, Queen'splatekitten and Santiva initially. Brilliant Speed was dead last.
By the time they'd run up the backstretch, Praetereo was still there in second, Twinspired was third and Queen'splatekitten fourth. Santiva, the 2-1 post-time favorite, was clinging to sixth. And Brilliant Speed was still last.
As the field rounded the turn, Brilliant Speed and Joel Rosario started picking off horses after coming off the rail. At the top of the stretch, there was a cavalry charge. Twinspired emerged with a clear lead nearing the wire. Brilliant Speed was sixth with a furlong left but he ran down Twinspired to the outside and prevailed by a nose. King Congie, a stable mate to Brilliant Speed, was a head back in third. Brilliant Speed earned $450,000.
Feb. 6, Hallandale Beach Stakes, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/16 Mile (T). He was moved up to second via disqualification after running third, beaten a neck by King Congie. The winning time was 1:41.30.
Jan. 16, Dania Beach Stakes, Gulfstream Park, One Mile (T). Brilliant Speed finished second, beaten a nose by Adirondack Summer.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Brilliant Speed had two races on the dirt in which he was beaten a combined 40 1/2 lengths in his debut at Belmont Park and second outing at Saratoga. He was switched to turf in September and had one win in his third start on that surface. That came at Tampa Bay Downs going 1 1/16 mile on Dec. 26; he was timed in 1:44.10.
ISN'T HE PERFECT (KY) Trainer: Doodnauth Shivmangal
Owner: Kharag Stables LLC
Breeder: Diamond A Racing Corp.
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Pleasantly Perfect (Pleasant Colony, Regal State)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Reciclada (CHI) (Rictorious, Exing (CHI))
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 1-10-13-0-2 (26) 2.06
Foal Date: May 10, 2008
$27,000 OBS Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
May 21 Grade I Preakness Stakes, Pimlico, 1 3 1/6 Mile. Isn't He Perfect did very well to finish ninth.
Doodnauth Shivmangal, trainer – “He’s a good horse. He tries very hard. He didn’t sleep well here and he wasn’t eating right, but I thought he ran a good race. Prado said at one time he was third or fourth and I saw him make one heck of a move. I’m pleased with the way he ran.”
Edgar Prado – “We had a good race today. For a while, I thought we were going to hit the board. He raced pretty good, just not quite good enough.”
April 23, Grade II Jerome Stakes, Aqueduct, One Mile. On a sloppy track, Isn't He Perfect was sixth at all calls and came in fifth, beaten 9 1/2 lengths by Adios Charlie.
April 9, Grade I Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, 1 1/8 Mile. Isn't He Perfect finished fifth, beaten 6 1/4 lengths by Toby's Corner. He made a bid a quarter-mile from home, got to second position, then faded.
March 20, Starter Allowance, Aqueduct, One Mile 70 Yards. Three wide on the far turn, Isn't He Perfect won at 8-5 odds.
March 5, Grade III Gotham Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/16 Mile. At odds of 127-1, Isn't He Perfect finished sixth, beaten 6 1/4 lengths by Stay Thirsty.
Feb. 17, Starter Allowance, Aqueduct, One Mile. Isn't He Perfect finished seventh, beaten 13 3/4 lengths by Congo.
Feb. 4, Allowance, Aqueduct, One Mile 70 Yards. After tracking he second Isn't He Perfect finished third, beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Congo on a track rated good.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Isn't He Perfect won one race in six starts with no seconds or thirds. That win came in a $40K maiden claimer.
MASTER OF HOUNDS (KY) Trainer: Aiden O'Brien
Owner: Mrs John Magnier
Breeder: Silk And Scarlet Syndicate
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Kingmambo (Mr. Prospector, Miesque)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Silk and Scarlet (GB) (Sadler's Wells, Danilova)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 12-2-30-12-0 (56) 1.07
Foal Date: March 4, 2008
No sale history available.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
May 30 NOTE: Master of Hounds is scheduled to ship from Europe to New York on Tuesday, June 7, clearing quarantine on June 9.
May 7, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Master of Hounds finished fifth, beaten 5 1/2 lengths.
Trainer Aiden O'Brien; “It was a great race for his first time on dirt. We're delighted."
Jockey Garrett Gomez: “I really like him. It was a great run for his first time on dirt. We had a really good trip. Who would have thought they would slow it down to 48 and change. Down the backstretch they threw the airbrakes on and it cost us. We were at the mercy of the pace. He ran sensationally through the dirt. I’m looking forward to riding him in the Belmont Stakes."
March 26, Group 2 UAE Derby, Meydan Racecourse, 1 3/16 Mile. Khawlah, a filly, won; the Irish-bred from Godolphin Stable got up over Master of Hounds by a nose.
Master of Hounds was in the hunt early, never worse than third while tracking outside pacesetter Xin Xu Lin and Reem. In upper stretch, Master of Hounds struck the front just as Khawlah began her wide late move. She ran down the middle of the course, and the two battled to the wire. The final time was 1:58.83, almost two seconds off the course record for 1 3/16 mile. The winner was sent off by bettors at 7-2. Master of Hounds was 12-1.
In post-race interviews, there was no mention by the trainers of either the winner or runner-up that the Kentucky Derby might be in future plans, but trainer O'Brien said a couple of days later that the Kentucky Derby is a possibility, also saying that the colt is "in the Epsom Derby."
The UAE Derby is a $2 million race, so Master of Hounds has plenty of earnings to make the Kentucky Derby if connections so desire.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
The highlight of his freshman campaign was a third-place finish in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy going one mile on good turf at Doncaster. He was brought to the U.S. and made the favorite in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, but he finished sixth. albeit beaten three lengths.
In that Breeders' Cup race, he didn't get away from the gate well. Here's the chart call from RacingPost.com: "Dwelt start, settled towards rear, took closer order 3 1/2f out, disputing 7th over 2f out, soon under pressure and not quicken, stayed on at one pace final 110yds."
Master of Hounds broke his maiden in his fourth start, the 7 1/2-furlong Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden at Tipperary on July 11, the turf rated good.
MONZON (MD) Trainer: Ignacio Correas
Owner: Sagamore Farm
Breeder: Sagamore Farm, LLC
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Thunder Gulch (Gulch, Line of Thunder)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Shadow of Mine (Belong to Me, Gold Shadow)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 10-2-10-0-0 (22) 3.40
Foal Date: Feb. 20, 2008
A gelding.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On May 24, Monzon breezed four in :50.80 (1/1) at SGF.
On May 31, Monzon breezed six in 1:16.00 (1/1) at SGF.
On June 7, Monzon breezed four in :48.40 (1/4) at SGF.
May 15, Grade II Peter Pan Stakes, Belmont Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Monzon finished sixth, beaten 7 3/4 lengths by Alternation, after a hard trip. He was bumped at the start and then was five and six wide leaving the turn.
Feb. 12, Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes, Tampa Bay Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. Monzon loomed on the far turn but didn't make a sustained late run and finished fifth, beaten 7 3/4 lengths by Brethren.
Jan. 1, Count Fleet Stakes, Aqueduct, One Mile 70 Yards. Monzon, returning to dirt after making three starts on the grass, had a last-to-first victory. Racing with blinkers off, Monzon raced 8 1/2 lengths behind the leader through a half-mile in :47.52. The gelding began to bridge the deficit on the final turn, shifted to the grandstand side in upper stretch, and reeled in J J’s Lucky Train, who finished second by a length, with a sixteenth-mile left, going the distance in 1:42.42 at 6-1 odds.
Pants On Fire finished third, ahead of Arthur’s Tale, Tap Star, and Rush Now. Isn’t He Perfect was scratched.
Winning jockey Edgar Prado: “I rode him last time on the grass and I thought he was a grinder. I was kind of surprised that he was running without the blinkers for the first time on the dirt, but he broke OK, sat in the back of the pack and came with a run. I think that the race set up beautifully. Everybody went early, and I was happy when I saw that.”
Winning trainer Ignacio Correas: “We were eventually going to come back to the dirt with him. We took the blinkers off to try and relax him. The plan was that if he ran well in the Count Fleet, we’d look ahead to the Whirlaway (on Feb. 5), which is what we will probably do. He’s still a little green and has things to learn. We don’t know his limit yet.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
In his second career start, Monzon broke his maiden by 12 1/2 lengths going a mile on dirt at Laurel Park in August and followed that with a 5 1/4-length win in a one-mile starter allowance over the Delaware Park turf in September. He finished fifth in the 1 1/16-mile Bourbon on turf at Keeneland and third in the 1 1/16-mile Gnomes Gold on turf at Belmont Park on Oct. 31.
MUCHO MACHO MAN (FL) Trainer: Katherine Ritvo
Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing & Dream Team One Racing Stable
Breeder: John D. Rio & Carole A. Rio
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Macho Uno (Holy Bull, Primal Force)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Ponche de Leona (Ponche (CAN), Perfect and Proud)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-1-5-1-0 (12) 2.43
Foal Date: June 15, 2008
No auction history.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On June 5, Mucho Macho Man breezed five in :59.40 (1/15) at BEL.
May 30 NOTE: Mucho Macho Man had new glue-on shoes as of Friday. These are expensive, custom-fit shoes. “I’m pretty sure he’s only going to get better,” trainer Ritvo said.
May 21 Grade I Preakness Stakes, Pimlico, 1 3 1/6 Mile. Mucho Macho Man was a disappointing sixth. Many observers felt he would be the one to win the race. He once again lost a shoe at the start of the race.
Kathy Ritvo – “Rajiv didn’t think he was getting hold of the track today. He’s been right there every single time, so I was surprised. I’m going to watch it again, and again and again, then take a look at the horse. He was doing fabulous.”
Rajiv Maragh – “Everything went good during the race. We tried, but it just did not come together today.”
May 7, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Mucho Macho Man finished third, beaten three lengths.
Trainer Kathy Ritvo: “He’s only going to get better, he’s only a June 15 foal. He’ll come back hopefully in a couple weeks if he comes back good, and we’re ready to go. He was fabulous today. It went just the way we thought it would be. He gave it his all. He finished up well. Rajiv said he finished up well. It was really exciting. When I saw him turn for home and he was running, I was jumping around and cheering him on.”
Jockey Rajiv Maragh: “I had a great trip. My horse gave me a great feeling all around the race track. At every point in the race that I needed something from him, he gave it to me. He was just third. He ran 110 percent. He kept coming on all the way through to the wire. He ran an amazing race.”
March 26, Grade II Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds, 1 1/8 Mile. Mucho Macho Man finished third by less than a length, but Pants On Fire held off longshot Nehro by a neck to win. Pants On Fire was sent off at 6-1 odds, coupled in the betting with tout horse Nacho Business.
Always at the fore, Pants On Fire sat in second position behind 111-1 shot Liondrive for six furlongs timed in 1:12.01. He took over in the second turn and ran home in 1:49.92 for the 1 1/8 mile. Nehro closed from fourth after racing in tight quarters leaving the far turn. Mucho Macho Man was three wide on both turns while fourth, then third, then second before ceding the place to Nehro.
According to trainer Ritvo, Mucho Macho Man had an excuse, losing a shoe just after leaving the starting gate.
Trainer Kathy Ritvo, Mucho Macho Man, third: “The horse blew his shoe. One of the gate guys came over and handed it to me. Apparently he stepped on it right out of the gate and ran the whole race without that shoe. I’ll find out which one it was when I get back to the barn. It is an excuse, but Pants On Fire ran a great race.”
Rajiv Maragh, Mucho Macho Man, third: “Just outfinished. He didn’t sustain the run that he looked like he was making on the quarter-pole. He settled easy early, so I was expecting him to finish stronger than he did. had a 110-percent chance to win turning for home, but he just couldn’t sustain his run.”
Feb. 19, Grade II Risen Star Stakes, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile. Mucho Macho man won the race. Ridden in stalking style by Rajiv Maragh, Mucho Macho Man sat just behind and to the outside of pacesetter Decisive Moment, who ran the opening quarter-mile in :24.67 and the half in :49.24. Longshot Liondrive came up to join Mucho Macho Man heading to the second turn, but that was a short-lived effort. As the field went into the turn, Mucho Macho Man took the lead and held it to the wire. He was timed in 1:43.98 for the 1 1/16 mile and won by 1 1/2 length.
Rajiv Maragh, aboard Mucho Macho Man: “My horse cooperated and settled in well behind the leaders, and once he settled I expected him to make a big finish, and he sure did. In the post parade, he did everything right that you would ask from a horse. He settled but he was pretty focused, so he was giving me all the right signals. I had been on him already in the morning, so I am a little bit familiar with the horse. I’ve seen him run many times, so it wasn’t hard to get acquainted with him.”
Trainer Kathy Ritvo, Mucho Macho Man: “He relaxed great today. Perfect today. I had a lot of confidence in Rajiv. He’s been on him before with my husband in Saratoga, when my husband trained him, and Rajiv’s a professional, a 100-percent professional. A great rider. And I want to wish Eibar Coa a speedy recovery. I’m very concerned about him, and I wish him all the best.
“We could (come back for the Louisiana Derby). I’m just going to go back and see how he comes back, and then we’ll make our plans, but he likes the track and I like it here! (Shipping) was (a concern) but it was perfect. Everyone made us feel comfortable here, and it was perfect. We’re going to leave on Monday morning.”
"I’m just excited because I’ve got my health back, and I’m ready to go. And the horse is great, you couldn’t ask for a better horse. He goes two miles like he’s out to jog. He’s just going to get better the further the distances get. It’s a great accomplishment, and he’s improving, and he’s just got to stay going two turns.”
Jan. 30, Grade III Holy Bull Stakes, Gulfstream Park, One Mile. The post-time favorite, Mucho Macho Man, finished fourth at 2-1 odds after bumping hard with Leave of Absence in the chute and then fighting Black N Beauty for the lead into the stretch. He fell back and was beaten 4 1/2 lengths by Dialed In. Dialed In broke from the outside post 9, dropped over to the rail, saved ground and then swept past the field to win. The physically imposing Dialed In was timed in 1:35.19 for the mile after he stayed behind initial fractions of :23.96, :46.24 and 1:10.33. After the first quarter-mile, the colt was 10 3/4 lengths off the lead.
Eibar Coa (aboard Mucho Macho Man): “He was a little sharp today. He’s been working sharp and came out a little sharp. Breaking from the outside, I didn’t really have a place to cover him up, so he went a little too fast too soon. I was never able to get him to relax. At a one turn mile, that happens sometimes. I think he would have relaxed if it was two turns. He’ll be OK.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Mucho Macho Man broke his maiden in his third start, which was his first around two turns. Going a mile and 70 yards at Monmouth Park on Sept. 19, Mucho Macho Man was timed in 1:42.84 while winning by four lengths after tracking the pace early and then taking command less than halfway through the race.
Next out, he finished second to To Honor and Serve in the one-mile, Grade II Nashua at Aqueduct. The winner hit the wire in 1:35.86. He again tracked the pace, but he was beaten four lengths.
In the 1 1/8-mile, Grade II Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct on Nov. 27, Mucho Macho Man and Eibar Coa finished second, this time by two lengths, to To Honor and Serve. The winner stopped the timer in 1:50.03 under John Velazquez.
To Honor and Serve broke well from post 4 in the five-horse field and was angled over to the rail on the clubhouse turn. He withstood mild pressure from eventual runner-up Mucho Macho Man through a half in :47.69 and three quarters in 1:11.18 before inching clear entering the lane. He was geared down late and scored by two comfortable lengths. It was the first start around two turns for To Honor and Serve. Bettors made him 3-5.
Mucho Macho Man was second at all calls. Mountain Town finished third, with Bandbox and Buffum, who were both steadied in the early stages, completing the order of finish.
Katherine Ritvo, trainer: “He ran super today, super. He’s maturing every race. He’s a big baby, a late foal and he needs some time to mature. We’ll see how he comes out of the race, take him to Florida, and see what happens.”
Eibar Coa, rider: “He never stopped trying, he never stopped running. Those other horses might be a little more mature than him at this point. But he’s only going to improve.”
Dec. 31 NOTE: Mucho Macho Man took his first steps toward the Holy Bull at Gulfstream with an easy half-mile work under jockey Eibar Coa in :50 2/5. "This was his first official breeze back today, going a half mile,” trainer Ritvo said. “We just went easy with him and didn’t ask him for much. From here, the plan is to work next Saturday and he should have three more breezes before the Holy Bull. We just hope to keep him mature and improving.”
On May 16, Nehro breezed four on a sloppy track in :50.80 (17/27) at CD.
On May 30, Nehro breezed six in 1:12.20 (1/4) at CD.
On June 6, Nehro breezed four in :50.80 (30/33) at BEL.
May 30 NOTE: Nehro will be shipped to New York this Thursday.
May 7, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Nehro finished second after running fairly prominently all the way.
Trainer Steve Asmussen: "The little horse just ran unbelievable. I'm very proud of him. Congratulations to the winner, but, for Mr. Zayat and his family, I sure would've loved to have won it but I was very excited he ran second. There was way less pace than I thought there would be and thank goodness Corey was smart enough to take advantage of that."
Jockey Corey Nakatani: “Overall the trip was pretty darn good. We were in a predicament where I didn't think the pace scenario was as fast as what I needed to be able to get him into a high cruising speed. I've got to thank Steve and Scott Blasi. They got this horse here and it's a pretty tough campaign just getting here, to have enough graded earnings. For him to run this big in this race is impressive."
“I knew if I slowed him down anymore than what I already was he's going to bunch up his stride and he's not going to run the race that I need he thinks to run to keep going. It didn't set up for us, he ran a great race, the winner was just a little bit better today. I ended up having a great trip with the outside post that we had. It's difficult when you're out that far to save as much ground as we did. He ran a tremendous race.
"He just kept running. He keeps grinding and he keeps going once he's got that cruising speed and the way the race set up there was no pace so it didn't set up for his style. I was wanting it to go 22 and change and 46 and change. I imagined sitting eight, nine lengths back and tucking in where I want to be. It ended up being no pace like I thought might happen so I got lucky enough to make the right call. He ran a tremendous race.”
April 16, Grade I Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Nehro was second again with a good-looking late run that was trouble-free. Archarcharch took advantage of a quick early half-mile pace to win at 25-1 odds. Nehro made a flying finish the same as he did in the Grade II Louisiana Derby, only to be beaten a neck to a time of 1:49.34.
Post-time favorite The Factor was spent after six furlongs--following his failure to take the lead. Instead it was J P's Gusto who set the pace, running the first half-mile in 46.53 and six furlongs in 1:11.22. The Factor was third running up the backstretch but was overtaken by Sway Away early in the second turn and wasn't, well, a factor after that.
Nehro added $200,000 to the $200,000 graded earnings he already had.
Trainer Steve Asmussen: “It’s kind of been that kind of year (two seconds in a row). He ran fabulous. They stood in the gate forever. He’s a very good horse and he stood there, but it was a long time. There was all that traffic and he came running late. I’m very proud of him. I think he showed some quality today. All the pace in the race suited us today. He tried like heck." On going to the Kentucky Derby: “We’ll talk to Mr. Zayat and the camp and go from there.
Jockey Corey Nakatani: "Had the race been a one and a quarter rather than one and one-eighth, we would have won it. I was the first one loaded in the gate, then the delay with my horse standing in the gate. I couldn’t be more happy with the race except that we didn’t win."
March 26, Grade II Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds, 1 1/8 Mile. Pants On Fire held off longshot Nehro by a neck to win. Pants On Fire was sent off at 6-1 odds, coupled in the betting with tout horse Nacho Business. The 3-2 post-time favorite, Mucho Macho Man, was third by three parts of a length.
Always at the fore, Pants On Fire sat in second position behind 111-1 shot Liondrive for six furlongs timed in 1:12.01. He took over in the second turn and ran home in 1:49.92 for the 1 1/8 mile. Nehro closed from fourth after racing in tight quarters leaving the far turn. Mucho Macho Man was three wide on both turns while fourth, then third, then second before ceding the place to Nehro.
Trainer Steve Asmussen: “I’m very pleased with his effort. You have to think about the Arkansas Derby, but I’ll have to talk to the boss about that one.”
Jockey Michael Baze: “I saved ground, and everything worked out nice. It made it tougher to catch them, but he made a real strong run. A little traffic trouble at the quarter-pole but he went on through no problem.”
Feb. 21, Maiden Special Weight, Fair Grounds, One Mile. Nehro spottted the early leader ten lengths, then won going away by 4 1/2 lengths. Moon Eclipse finished second. Nehro was timed in 1:39.20.
Jan. 15, Maiden Special Weight, Fair Grounds, One Mile. Nehro finished tenth, beaten 22 1/4 lengths by Supreme Ruler.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Nehro finished fourth in his lone start of the year at Fair Grounds on Dec. 12. Prime Cut beat him five lengths going six furlongs.
PRIME CUT (KY) Trainer: Neil Howard
Owner: Courtlandt Farms
Breeder: Stuart McPhee
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Bernstein (Storm Cat, La Affirmed)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Life Happened (Stravinsky, Round It Off)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 7-1-10-4-0 (22) 1.44
Foal Date: April 7, 2008
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On May 25, Prime Cut breezed four in :50.20 (27/48) at CD.
On May 31, Prime Cut breezed five in 1:03.60 (13/13) at CD.
On June 6, Prime Cut breezed five in 1:01.00 (3/20) at CD.
June 6 NOTE: Prime Cut will be flown to New York tomorrow.
May 14, Grade II Peter Pan Stakes, Belmont Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Longshot Bold Deed took the early lead and carried the field through the first quarter-mile in ;23.78, with Adios Charlie, Prime Cut and Joe Vann chasing him. Those four were the leaders through a half-mile in :47.14 and six furlongs in 1:11.90.
In the turn, Uncle Brent began to mount a challenge with Alternation to his outside. Bold Deed and Uncle Brent threw in the towel in upper stretch, while Alternation kept going after the leaders. At the furlong marker, Adios Charlie, favored at 3-1 odds, briefly shook loose from the field, but he coudn't hold off Alternation. Meanwhile, Prime Cut and Joe Vann kept running to take third and fourth, beaten 4 1/2 and seven lengths, respectively.
April 23, Grade III Coolmore Lexington Stakes, Keeneland, 1 1/16 Mile. Prime Cut finished second after being prominent throughout the race. Derby Kitten rallied from last on Polytrack at 9-1 odds, and the Kentucky Derby hopes of Silver Medallion were dampened with a fourth-place finish as the 6-5 favorite. Derby Kitten was timed in 1:42.03 after loping past most of the field on the Polytrack stretch. He was sixth and last after the first six furlongs.
March 26, Entry Level Allowance, Fair Grounds, One Mile 70 Yards. At 5-1 odds, Prime Cut won the race in stalking fashion over 1-9 Bind and was timed in 1:41.20. Bind didn't seem to settle down, and Prime Cut was more professional looking in the 3/4-length win. Bind had the lead by the half-mile mark in :46.70.
Feb. 11, Entry Level Allowance, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile. Prime Cut finished second at even money, beaten a nose by Forbidden Forest. The time was very slow time--1:47.33. Five ran.
Jan. 15, Entry-Level Allowance, Fair Grounds, Six Furlongs. Prime Cut was away last of six and stalked three wide before finishing third under Jamie Theriot, beaten 2 3/4 lengths by Divine Music and a time of 1:10.64. Divine Music and Miguel Mena pressed the pace of :22 1/5 and :45 3/5.
Jan. 9, Entry Level Allowance, Fair Grounds, About One Mile (T). Prime Cut was scratched when the race didn't come off the turf, which was rated yielding.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Prime Cut broke his maiden impressively at Fair Grounds on Dec. 12 in his second start. He went the six furlongs in 1:12.47, clearing the second runner by 1 3/4 lengths under Robby Albarado after coming from off the pace four wide.
His career debut came back in June at Churchill Downs in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight. After breaking in the air, he raced back in the pack then rallied well to finish fourth, beaten 3 1/4 lengths. He was seventh, 7 1/2 lengths back, at the furlong marker.
RULER ON ICE (KY) Trainer: Kelly Breen
Owner: George and Lori Hall
Breeder: Liberation Farm & Brandywine Farm
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Roman Ruler (Fusaichi Pegasus, Silvery Swan)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Champagne Glow (Saratoga Six, Champagne Ginny)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 6-1-9-0-0 (16) 2.56
Foal Date: April 2, 2008
$100,000 Keeneland September 2009.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On May 27, Ruler On Ice worked five in 1:00 (1/10) at MTH.
On June 4, Ruler On Ice breezed five from the gate in 1:01 (1/23) at MTH.
May 7, Frederico Tesio Stakes, Pimlico, 1 1/8 Mile. Ruler On Ice finished second by two lengths to Concealed Identity, who went on to finish well off the board in the Preakness.
March 27, Grade III Sunland Derby, Sunland Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Ruler On Ice finished third to Twice the Appeal. He was five wide on the turn and closed well, but not as well as the winner did. The race was timed in 1:50 4/5.
Feb. 22, Entry Level Allowance, Parx, 1 1/16 Mile. Timed in 1:45 1/5, Ruler On Ice prevailed by less than a length after closing well in a field of seven.
Feb. 4, Allowance/Optional Claiming, Aqueduct, One Mile 70 Yards. In a field of five, Ruler On Ice finished second by less than a length to Congo and a time of 1:43.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Ruler On Ice raced twice, breaking his maiden second time out going six furlongs on a sloppy Delaware Park track. His time was 1:12.
On May 20, Santiva breezed four in :49.80 (29/54) at CD.
On May 28, Santiva breezed five in 1:00.60 (5/43) at CD.
On June 4, Santiva breezed five in 1:01.00 (6/27) at CD.
June 6 NOTE: Santiva will be flown to New York tomorrow.
May 30 NOTE: Trainer Kenneally said on May 29 he’ll make a final decision on when Santiva will ship to New York after the colt turns in a workout at Churchill Downs on Saturday, June 4. “We’ll breeze him...and we’ll go from there,” said Kenneally.
May 7, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Santiva finished sixth, beaten 5 1/2 lengths.
Trainer Eddie Kenneally: “He had a decent trip and didn’t get beat that far. Shaun was happy. He tried hard, so no real excuses.”
Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan: “I thought we had a phenomenal trip. Hard to believe. We saved ground, but today just wasn’t his day to win. He didn’t disrespect himself at all. He ran pretty well and was right there.”
April 16, Grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland, 1 1/8 Mile. Santiva, the 2-1 post-time favorite, was trapped on the inside the entire race after breaking from an inside post. He didn't have much opportunity, if any, to make a run for the money. He finished ninth, beaten 5 1/2 lengths under Julien Leparoux.
Feb. 19, Grade II Risen Star Stakes, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile. Santiva, who tracked just behind winner Mucho Macho Man in the opening stanzas, emerged in a clear second position before the furlong marker and held to easily get the place. The winner was timed in 1:43.98 and won by 1 1/2 length.
Mike Smith, jockey of Santiva: “I thought he ran dynamite. Me and the winner drew away from the field, which is pretty impressive. That’s tough to do down this long lane. He was a little too fresh, and if I came up next to the other horses he was going to keep pulling, so I kind of got him away just to get him to drop it, and he did. And then I eased back down. It was either that or go the lead, and I didn’t want to do that today.
Is this a Derby-caliber horse? “Without a doubt. That horse (Mucho Macho Man) is certainly headed to the Derby and next time we’re going to have a race under our belt.”
Trainer Eddie Kenneally, Santiva: “We’ll ship back Monday to Palm Meadows. We’ll just look at all the options then and come up with a plan as to where we should run him next. But I’m happy with the way he ran today. The winner had an edge--he’s had a race already this year--and we haven’t had that. We’ll benefit from our race today and move forward, we expect. He handled the track fine, and Mike said he did everything right. I think he’s an improving horse.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
In his debut, Santiva finished a willing third on the main track at Saratoga going 5 1/2 furlongs. While he was beaten 13 1/2 lengths, the top two finishers were the precocious Wine Police and Soldat. Santiva ducked in at the start and was checked. He raced greenly.
He stalked and finished well going two turns on the turf in his second race at Saratoga. J. B.'s Thunder defeated Santiva by 1 3/4 length.
The turf-to-synthetic next move seemed appropriate, given the history of the surface at Keeneland. On a main track that was demonstrating a front-speed bias, J. B.'s Thunder took command early and led at every call before winning the Grade I Dixiana Breeders' Futurity on Oct. 9 at Keeneland.
In times past, races on Keeneland's Polytrack have often played out like turf races, with winners making a late rush to prevail. And while horses with experience on turf and synthetic surfaces continue to perform well on the main oval, a bias in favor of early speed had decidedly developed so far at the meet.
J. B.'s Thunder took good advantage while setting splits of :24.19, :48.64 and 1:13.40 in the 1 1/16-mile race. He finished in 1:44.12 under Shaun Bridgmohan.
Santiva, still a maiden, overcame the bias to finish second. He failed to break well while bearing in leaving the gate and was placed ninth in the 11-horse field after a half-mile. He rallied along the rail before being swung wide into the stretch to close within four lengths of the winner under Javier Castellano.
Wilcox Inn, whose odds were cut in half by post time, also came from behind--but not quite as far as Santiva did--to finish a nose behind Santiva. They were followed by Typhoon Slew, post-time favorite Major Gain, Rough Sailing, Silver Medallion, Maybesomaybenot, Lou Brissie, Conservative Value and Brickyard Fast.
Todd Pletcher was in New York with Uncle Mo, who won the Champagne the same day, and a comment from assistant Mike McCarthy about Santiva's Breeders' Cup status wasn't immediately available.
Javier Castellano, rider of second-place Santiva: “My horse missed the break a little bit, so I didn’t have a choice (but to be farther back). He only has one style, you know--a come from behind horse. But he handled himself well and finished very, very strong. When I asked him, he passed a lot horses at one time, and he finished so good today.”
Oct. 19 NOTE: Bloodhorse.com reports Santiva will pass on the Juvenile, and not reported at the time was that the horse had been transferred to the barn of Eddie Kenneally.
Santiva (9-2) outgamed Astrology (favored at 3-5) and Major Gain (7-2) in a stretch-long duel to win the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on Nov. 27 at Churchill Downs. Santiva broke his maiden and earned $100,254 with the win. Seven ran. Santiva was timed in 1:45.31.
Ridden for the first time by Shaun Bridgmohan, Santiva sat in second just off the pace set by Prideofthechapter, who led the field of seven through fractions of :24.29 and :49.03 before backing up to last.. Astrology, ridden by Garrett Gomez, tracked the leaders in third while Major Gain, ridden by Robby Albarado, raced in the next tier.
Leaving the backstretch, Santiva took over from Prideofthechapter and was quickly joined by Astrology. At the head of the stretch, Albarado swung to the inside with Major Gain to join the leaders.
The trio raced as a team to the wire with Santiva inching away late to register his first victory in four starts. Astrology was a half-length behind Santiva and finished a head in front of Major Gain. It was another 4 ½ lengths back to Halo’s Thunder, who was followed in order by Cane Garden Bay, Enable and Prideofthechapter.
Shaun Bridgmohan, winning jockey: “He showed effort today. I have known he is a nice little horse. He just ran a phenomenal race today. Every time I asked him for a little more, he just gave it to me. He kept grinding it out and fighting all the way to the wire. The more I asked the more he fought.”
Eddie Kenneally, winning trainer: “He dug in and was courageous. He ran awesome, really. They came to him at the eighth pole and looked like they might even go by him. They put him in a little tight, and that’s when he really fought back, and he regained momentum and was drawing away from them at the wire.”
Q: Was his last race in the Breeders’ Futurity, in your eyes, even better than it might have looked?
“He found himself very far back in his last race. He didn’t break that day. He broke sharp today."
Q: It’s November, and six months away there’s a very big race here. Is he a legitimate Kentucky Derby horse?
“Oh sure, he’s got the pedigree. There’s all the stamina in the world in his pedigree. He’s got the profile for the race here in May."
Q: What was your thinking about running him on the dirt? In his first race, he was third on dirt, but was pretty soundly beaten before running back on grass and Polytrack in his next two starts.
“We knew going long that he’d be fine on the dirt, he’d have no problem going long on dirt. He trains here and this is where we’re based, so this was a logical choice.”
Q: Any thoughts on what your next step might be with him?
“There some races in Florida with him this winter, so we’ll look at some of those and take it from there. We’ll just give him a little break now and get him back to the races in January or February. We’ll give him an easy time in December and focus on next year then.”
Nov. 28 NOTE: Assistant trainer Brendan Walsh reported all was well with Santiva. “He is doing well this morning and he will leave for Florida tomorrow. That was a nice way to end the meet. We got him in about mid-October after he had run in the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland.
Dec. 31 NOTE: Santiva did not put in any more recorded works this year after winning the Dixiana.
SHACKLEFORD (KY) Trainer: Dale Romans
Owner: Michael Lauffer & W. D. Cubbedge
Breeder: Mike Lauffer & Bill Cubbedge
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Forestry (Storm Cat, Shared Interest)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Oatsee (Unbridled, With Every Wish)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 6-13-9-0-2 (30) 3.62
Foal Date: Feb. 25, 2008
$275,000 RNA Keeneland September 2009.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On June 4, Shackleford breezed five in 1:00.20 (16/34) at BEL.
May 30 NOTE: Shackleford arrived by van from Churchill Downs today and is set to breeze this coming weekend.
May 21 Grade I Preakness Stakes, Pimlico, 1 3 1/6 Mile. Shackleford pressed the pace for six furlongs, took command and stayed in front to the finish line.
Dale Romans – “I’ve won some big races, but none as exciting as that one. He’s been like that (hot) before all his races. He was a little hot, but he wasn’t acting that bad and it’s a hot day. It didn’t take much out of him. I was more concerned if he was going to hang on. It was fast, but he kind of pulled everyone else out of the race. He has a high cruising speed. We weren’t worried about slowing it down as much as getting him into a good rhythmic pace and let him keep on going.”
Jesus Castanon – “Its amazing. He was a little hot in the beginning before in the post parade, but he was able to calm down. He’s a good horse and able to handle it. A horse like this can go any kind of speed. I felt somebody coming at the sixteenth-pole, I knew that Animal Kingdom was the only horse who was able to come get me.”
May 7, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Shackleford set a moderate pace and looked poised to win the race, but he couldn't quite get there and finished fourth, beaten 3 3/4 lengths.
Trainer Dale Romans: “I’ve been talking all week that when a race is packed with speed, people often end up taking back and not wanting to go. We thought it might play out like it did. He fought. He tried to fight down the lane. I’m very proud of him. I’m not saying we can’t run a mile and a quarter some time, because we ran a mile and a quarter today faster than all but three horses. I’d love to go to the Preakness. We’ll talk to the owners.”
Jockey Jesus Castanon: “It was an easier pace than some expected, but we were willing to take it. He led on his own and ran really, really big. I rode him a little bit away from the gate and he did the rest on his own. When they came to me, he picked it up really nice and gave me a good run down the stretch. I’m very happy with his run and he’s improving, this horse. He’ll be better and better down the road.”
April 3, Grade I Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile. With a sweeping late move, Dialed In circled the field to win by a head over the tough-running Shackleford. At the first call, Shackleford and Jesus Castanon were in front and had run a quarter-mile in 23.30. After a half, Shackleford, still closely followed by To Honor and Serve, was timed in :46.35, and the pair continued to lead into six furlongs timed in 1:10.63.
After the quick early clip, Dialed In was 10 1/2 lengths off the lead after a half-mile and seven lengths back with six furlongs run. But he and Julien Leparoux started picking off horses around the far turn and loomed toward the leaders in upper stretch.
At the furlong marker, To Honor and Serve gave way while Shackleford, at 68-1 odds, kept running and almost took first honors. But he couldn't hold off Dialed In, who prevailed by a head. To Honor and Serve finished third, 6 3/4 lengths back, followed another 1 1/4 length by Flashpoint. Dialed In was timed for the 1 1/8 mile in 1:50.07.
Dale Romans: “That’s a real tough beat. He ran super. I’m very proud of him. If $200,000 is enough to get into the Derby, I think we’ll have to go. He’s a horse that keeps improving. We drew a line in his last race (5th in Fountain of Youth). We had no excuse for it. He came back and showed us he’s better than his last race showed. He just dug back in and galloped out real strong. He’s doing everything right.”
Jesus Castanon: “That’s his style, to be out there close to the lead. I just let him break and didn’t really do anything. He was very relaxed. It was a really good effort. I thought I was the winner for a while.”
Feb. 26, Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Shacklord finished fifth, beaten 23 1/2 lengths by Soldat. After stalking in mid-pack, he ran out of gas leaving the turn.
Feb. 5, Entry Level Allowance, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Shackleford, the 5-2 morning line favorite, won by 2 1/4 lengths at 9-2. Casper's Touch (1-1) was second after a tough but rank trip, up by a nose over El Grayling (7-1) in third, with Shadow Warrior (9-2) another length back in fourth. Six ran. The winning time was 1:50.04.
Shackleford stalked pacesetter El Grayling and took over before the furlong marker. Early fractions were :24.33, :48.39 and 1:12.22.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Shackleford finished way up the track in his debut going seven furlongs on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 16, but he bounced back to win at the same distance on the dirt at Churchill Downs on Nov. 27. He took the early lead, was headed and then came again to get up by three parts of a length. The time: 1:23.65.
STAY THIRSTY (KY) Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Repole Stable
Breeder: John D. Gunther & John Darren Gunther
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Bernardini (A.P. Indy, Cara Rafaela)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Marozia (Storm Bird (CAN), Make Change)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 4-6-16-0-0 (26) 2.25
Foal Date: March 29, 2008
$160,000 Keeneland September 2009.
$500,000 Fasig-Tipton 2-Year-Olds in Training.
“We were bidding against Nick Zito and Robert LaPenta,” Mike Repole said of the 2-year-old purchase. “I was so naive, I didn’t know they owned him. I joked with Todd (Pletcher), if I’d known that, I would have stopped at $300,000.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On May 22, Stay Thirsty breezed four in :47.80 (2/72) at BEL.
On May 29, Stay Thirsty worked six in 1:12.00 (1/4) at BEL.
On June 5, Stay Thirsty breezed five in 1:00.40 (3/15) at BEL.
May 7, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Stay Thirsty finished twelfth, beaten 11 1/4 lengths.
Trainer Todd Pletcher: “I thought we had a real good trip. He just didn’t have that big punch. We didn’t have any visible excuses.”
Jockey Ramon Dominguez: “I’m happy with his effort. He tried hard. We just couldn’t get there. No excuses.”
April 3, Grade I Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Stay Thirsty was taken in hand to save ground, but after about a half-mile of eating dirt, he was done and finished seventh, beaten 16 1/2 lengths by Dialed In.
Todd Pletcher: “I thought he had a decent trip. It looked like he came off the bridle a little early and then only ran evenly in the stretch. I think the blinkers had absolutely nothing to do with it.”
March 5, Grade III Gotham Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/16 Mile. Stay Thirsty gave owner Mike Repole what he said he wanted--a win. And he made enough doing it to virtually assure him a spot in the Kentucky Derby. Owner Repole said after the race that the next target would be either the Grade I Arkansas Derby or Grade I Florida Derby.
The winner was timed in 1:44.78. It was an eventful start for Stay Thirsty as he hit the left side of the starting gate. Sitting in fourth, then third position outside of and two or three lengths from the pace set by The Fed Eased, Stay Thirsty tracked moderate fractions of :24.79, :49.18 and 1:13.47 while three wide around the turns under Ramon Domingurez. As they straightened for home, Stay Thirsty went ahead around the furlong marker and eased off to win by 3 1/4 lenghths.
Todd Pletcher, winning trainer: “I thought he ran huge. He’s coming in off only five breezes, going a mile and a sixteenth, and he hasn’t run since November 6. It was very encouraging. I was a little concerned when he broke just a step slowly, sort of tossed his head at the break, but he recovered real quickly and put himself in a good spot. I was very, very pleased with the way he finished up. Ramon said he was very handy and was there every time he called on him. He was impressed, as we all were.”
Mike Repole, winning owner: “I couldn’t be any happier for this horse, because I keep hearing about ‘Mo’s shadow’ and ‘stablemate’ and this is one of the top six 3-year-olds in the country. Today is all about Stay Thirsty and I think he proved that when you get away from Boys At Tosconova and you get away from Uncle Mo, this is a pretty special horse. Uncle Mo will go to the Wood Memorial, and Todd and I will discuss the two options for Stay Thirsty, probably either the Arkansas Derby or the Florida Derby.”
Ramon Dominguez, winning rider: “At the very last second he threw up his head and missed the break. On the second jump, I barely got after him and he got into the race pretty good, but he was also very relaxed at the same time. That’s always a concern after they break like that – after you encourage them to get into the race, they might get too rank. Turning for home, he was drifting in slightly, but there was barely any contact. I was very happy with him. He gave me whatever I asked him, and he galloped out very strong, too.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
The Bernardini colt was second to Sovereign Default in his debut on July 15 at Belmont Park and then barreled to a 5 1/2-length victory on Aug. 14 going six furlongs second time out.
"He's bred to go 1 1/4 miles," said Repole. "If you had told me he was going to run so well at 5 1/2 and 6 furlongs, I would had said, 'You're kidding me.' I believe he'll improve a couple of lengths with every extra furlong."
In the Sept. 6 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, Boys At Tosconova came from off the pace and pulled clear to an easy 1 3/4-length victory over Stay Thirsty. Confidently ridden by Ramon Dominguez, the son of Officer settled on the outside in third, tracking Stay Thirsty and Wine Police through opening fractions of :23.15 and :46.38. Moving three-wide into contention on the turn, he continued to advance through the stretch, gaining the lead with a furlong to go and edging away under a hand ride to hit the wire in 1:23.27 over a fast track.
Stay Thirsty, who stumbled out of the gate, finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of Wine Police, with Settle for Medal finishing fourth.
Todd Pletcher, trainer: “I thought he ran very well. We were coming back on short rest--three weeks--but I thought he ran a big race. He stumbled pretty badly at the start, got up, recovered pretty well, it was a good effort.”
John Velazquez, jockey: “He stumbled leaving out there, which is one thing I didn’t want to happen, but it happened. He actually ran a really good race, though. He got beat by a nice horse, and I’m proud of him. He did everything good but win.”
Oct. 3 NOTE: Pletcher said that both Repole Stable colts, Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty, will be entered in the Champagne, with only Uncle Mo likely to run.
Oct. 9 NOTE: Stay Thirsty was scratched from the Champagne, leaving stable mate Uncle Mo in to win.
On Nov. 6, Stay Thirsty was fairly well-regarded by some, but not enough to make him lower than 13-1 for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs. He finished fifth, beaten 14 1/2 lengths by stable mate Uncle Mo after going four wide on the second turn and drifting in at the furlong marker.
Dec. 8 NOTE: Stay Thirsty rested in Ocala with Uncle Mo before being shipped to Palm Meadows today.
Dec. 31 NOTE: There have been no recorded workouts for Stay Thirsty since Breeders' Cup.
In Memory of David Downey, 1947-2011
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