Battle Stations: U.S.S. Valor Armed and Ready
So what if it is ridiculously early to start writing about a 2-year-old who just broke his maiden. Once Belmont Park opens there will be plenty of pre-Breeders’ Cup stories to write. But when a 2-year-old creates the kind of excitement that U.S.S. Valor created at Saratoga on September 5, why not get an early jump on a potential star just in case he is as special as he looked and not just one of those maiden monsters who burn brightly and extinguish quickly. As they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained. ~ Steve Haskin
Battle Stations: U.S.S. Valor Armed and Ready
By Steve Haskin
U.S.S. Valor commands the attention of the sport after his spectacular Sept. 5 maiden win at Saratoga.
There is an old Johnny Horton song from the 1950s called “Sink the Bismark,” about the seemingly indesructable German battleship. And according to the lyrics, she was “the fastest ship that ever sailed the seas, and on her deck were guns as big as steers and shells as big as trees.” When confronted by The British battlecruiser The Hood, more commonly known as “The Mighty Hood,” the pride of the Royal Navy was literally blown out of the water by Bismark.
In the world of Thoroughbred racing, the question 85 years after the Battle of the North Atlantic, is are we about to see another seemingly indestructable ship, the recently commisioned U.S.S. Valor, wreak havoc on the 2-year-old division? We have only seen the destruction his guns and shells can inflict on smaller ships, but based on the way he “blew them out of the water” at Saratoga on September 5 and all the adulation that flowed from the NYRA TV analysts and other experts, we could be looking at something very special. How’s that for a metaphoric-filled opening to grab your attention?
Everyone had a pretty good idea what was coming after the son of War of Will overcame a horrible trip in his career debut to finish a strong third, beaten less than a length. But even those who knocked his odds down to 4-5 in his second start were not prepared for what they saw. Battling briefly for the lead, he began to separate himself from the field and powered home to win by 13 1/4 lengths in 1:22 flat for the seven furlongs. If not for U.S.S. Valor, many would be raving about a colt named Pharocity, who broke his maiden by almost six lengths several races later in 1:23 flat. U.S.S. Valor also ran three-fifths of a second faster than the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes, won by the exciting undefeated filly Summer Starlet, who won by almost five lengths.
The following day, the Hopeful Stakes for 2-year-olds, was won by the undefeated favorite The Good Life, who scored by four lengths in 1:24. That means U.S.S. Valor would have won the Grade 1 Hopeful by 10 lengths.
For those who follow Beyer speed figures, U.S.S. Valor’s 105 is faster than the winners of this year’s Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, and Travers. And if you follow Thoro-Graph, his number is off the charts. By running a “zero,” it again shows that a 2-year-old maiden winner is faster than every two-turn 3-year-old in the country.
Even the colt’s owner and breeder, Barry Irwin of Team Valor International, who has always been known as a realist, said, “That exceeded my wildest expectations.” And this is someone who won the Kentucky Derby in 2011 with Animal Kingdom and saw his Florida Derby and Wood Memorial winner Captain Bodgit beaten a head in both the 1997 Derby and Preakness by Hall of Famer Silver Charm.
Irwin has been a writer his entire professional life, as an author, columnist for the Daily Racing Form and staff writer for the Blood-Horse. He looks at U.S.S. Valor as the real-life version of the equine super hero Knight Errant from his recent novel of the same name. Is this life imitating art? It looks as if U.S.S. Valor is being pointed for the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes by the usually conservative trainer Shug McGaughey. But as the main human character of the book said about moving Knight Errant up in class, “If we were dealing with a normal horse, but obviously we’re dealing with a freak.” The colt’s veterinarian added, “We may have a responsibility to treat this horse as something extra special.” Even the assistant trainer said, “He’s already done stuff I’ve only heard old timers like the Jones boys (Ben and son Jimmy of Calumet Farm fame) whisper about.”
You have to stop and think for a few seconds to whom these comments pertain — Knight Errant or U.S.S. Valor. But this isn’t a novel and the colt’s breathtaking victory isn’t fantasy. We do, however, have to ask whether or not we are overhyping a seven-furlong 2-year-old maiden winner. Logic and history tell us we very well may be doing so. But isn’t it more fun this way?
So what exactly are we dealing with? With such a sensational Thoro-Graph and Beyer figure, where does U.S.S. Valor’s figures go from here? Can he maintain that kind of speed? Is he headed for the typical “bounce” or are we dealing with the so-called “freak?” He is running speed figures now that he’s likely going to need to run eight months from now going a mile and a quarter in a 20-horse field against the best 3-year-olds in the country. Two-year-old maiden winners are not supposed to run faster than classic-winning 3-year-olds.
But we obviously are jumping way ahead of ourselves. Sure there are question marks regarding the colt’s future. It goes with all the plaudits and the glorification. Right now, however, let’s just lake a closer look at U.S.S. Valor and try to find out who he is, where did he come from, and when did he actually start turning heads?
It all started on August 13, 2022, ironically in a seven-furlong maiden race at Saratoga, when Barry Irwin watched a first-time starter named Expressman, owned by St. Elias Stable and trained by Todd Pletcher, crush his field by 7 1/4 lengths in 1:22 4/5, while being eased up in the final sixteenth. Irwin loved what he saw and knew that Pletcher was “crazy about the colt.” So when he saw his dam Spangled Banner selling soon after in the Fasig-Tipton August mixed sale, he had to have her. He worked out a deal with the bank and was able to buy her for $225,000.
What was most amazing about this daughter of the Tiznow stallion Tiz Wonderful was the fact that this was the seventh time she had gone through the sales ring. You have to have a great mind and be extremely adaptable to go through the ordeal of traveling to the sales, being shown, and going through the ring that many times from the time you’re a weanling to an 11-year-old mare.
It would take up most of the column to go through her sales history in detail and all her owners, several of them very prominent in the industry, who bought her and then quickly sold her. First it was for $55,000 as a weanling. Then she actually was entered and withdrawn from the 2012 Saratoga yearling and 2013 Keeneland November mixed sale as a 2-year-old. In 2014, she sold at Keeneland for $95,000. In 2015, she sold again at Keeneland November for $140,000. Back at Keeneland the following year, she went for $375,000 in foal to Malibu Moon. In 2018, now age 7, she was sold for $120,000 in foal to Liam’s Map. She was back in the ring in 2021 and this time only went for $35,000, despite again being in foal to Liam’s Map.
When she returned to Keeneland the following year at age 11 she had Expressman’s sensational maiden victory on her resume and a very interested suitor in Barry Irwin.
It mattered little that Spangled Banner’s five foals had combined to win only 11 of 71 starts, with none of them earning more than $170,000, Irwin kept seeing visions of Expressman’s debut. As a side note, Expressman never came close to repeating that performance in an eight-race career, but did finish a close third in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap in 2023.
But sometimes it takes only a single sensational performance, even by a mediocre horse, to entice noted owners and breeders into trying to replicate that effort with a sibling. Just to sidetrack the story a bit, several years ago, Godolphin had a filly named Jane Grey, who won her career debut impressively, but she never won another race. Undeterred, Godolphin bred her dam Crowned back to her sire Into Mischief, trying recapture that big effort by Jane Grey. The resulting foal was named Sovereignty.
So Irwin and his wife Kathleeen, who plans the matings, set out to find the right stallion to breed to Spangled Banner in the hope of getting a horse capable of turning in the kind of performance Irwin saw from Expressman. It had already manifested itself in the pages of Irwin’s novel, and by the kind of horse that for the most part exists only in the world of fiction.
The stallion they chose was Preakness winner War of Will, who was a son of War Front, out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Visions of Clarity, a listed stakes winner in France owned and bred by the powerful Niarchos family. War of Will was not only a classic winner on dirt he also captured the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland on grass.
On February 1, 2024, Spangled Banner gave birth to her War of Will colt. Getting U.S.S. from Spangled Banner and Valor from War of Will, and with the colt being built like a ship, what better name than U.S.S. Valor
“Right from the start, he knocked my socks off physically,” Irwin said, “Every person that had their hands on him said he was special. He was raised at Cobra Farm (formerly White Horse Acres where Seattle Slew was raised) and then sent to Bill Harrigan (whose farm is located in Georgetown, Kentucky) before going to Barry Eisaman in Ocala. When I went to see him, all Barry said was, ‘Go look at him and we’ll talk.’ When I got back, he said, ‘Congratulations, this is one of the ones. Everytime we teach him something new it’s like he’s been there already. This is a top, top horse; a can’t miss.’ I’ve never had anyone say that to me.”
Harrigan too had seen something special in the colt. “He was so smart and physically mature and very classy even as a yearling,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of horses who I sent to Shug and I told him this was a beautiful, talented, and extremely smart colt. When we got the yearlings in September he looked like a 2-year-old and had the mind of a 2-year-old.” Harrigan has broken and trained 33 Grade 1 winners including A.P. Indy, so he knows something about young horses.
So, has Barry Irwin found his Knight Errant? Better still, has racing found its Knight Errant? If you want to know what happened to that wonder horse you’re going to have read Barry’s riveting book. It’s a real page turner for all racing fans.
The bigger question right now is what’s going to happen with U.S.S. Valor. So far, we’re only in Chapter 1 of that story. But like with all great books it is Chapter 1 that makes you want to continue reading and imagining the perfect ending.
As if U.S.S. Valor needs anything more to boost his reputation, the horse who finished second, a neck in front of him, in his career debut, came back to break his maiden by 12 1/2 lengths going a mile at Churchill Downs this past Saturday. His name is Coach Pope, after the University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach, and just as U.S.S. Valor ran significantly faster than the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes the following day, Coach Pope, trained by Kenny McPeek, ran almost a full second faster than the one-mile Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes later on the card that was won by the undefeated Bob Baffert-trained Salahudin, who was all-out to win by a half-length.
So did we see two potential superstars come out of that same maiden race back on August 8? The winner, Gaudreau, has yet to run back. Imagine what odds he will be. McPeek, who bought Coach Pope at the Fasig-Tipton October yearling sale for $350,000 for Gainesway Stables, Shamrock Stable, and Michael J. Mackin, said of the son of Tapit, “The sky’s the limit.”
But right now our focus is on U.S.S. Valor, and it is important to remember the heights at which he began his ascent. It is difficult to keep climbing higher than high, but that is the quest he has set for himself with that breathtaking maiden victory. In the musical Man of La Mancha, Don Quixote’s quest was “to become a knight errant and sally forth into the world in search of adventures and to mount a crusade, and each time he falls he shall rise again, and woe to the wicked.”
Barry Irwin gave his fictional hero and the title of his book the name Knight Errant. Now it’s time to see if the “real” Knight Errant can live up to the dreams of his owner.
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Although the main focus of this column has been on U.S.S. Valor, I do have to at least mention the performance of first-time starter Pharocity in the other division. As I said, the son of American Pharoah’s victory would have received a lot more attention if not for U.S.S. Valor. In many ways, if he is as good as he looked, winning by 5 3/4 lengths in 1:23 flat and coming home his last three-eighths in :36 4/5, it not only stamps him as another up-and-coming star, it boosts U.S.S. Valor’s performance even more. Not only did he dominate a field that included the highly regarded 8-5 Pletcher-Repole colt Electro, he had the first five finishers spread out over 20 lengths.
By American Pharoah, which is the powerful Fappiano sire line, his female family is inundated with class and stamina influences. including A.P. Indy and his sire Seattle Slew, full brothers Graustark and His Majesty, Hail to Reason, and Damascus. And Pharocity is inbred to Secretariat, the only inbreeding in his pedigree. Finally, his broodmare sire Congrats is currently making a major impact on the sport through his daughters. In addition to Pharocity, he is the broodmare sire of Forever Young and Travers winner Leading Change, as well as Shedaresthedevil, winner of the 2020 Kentucky Oaks and seven other graded stakes.
And don’t you love it when relatively small-time breeders are forced to keep and race a horse they bred because he failed to meet his reserve. Not that you can call Scott and his wife Evan Dilworth small-time, at least as pinhookers. In 2021, they purchased a yearling colt by Uncle Mo at Keeneland September for $250,000 and then pinhooked him at the OBS April 2-year-old sale, where he sold to Zedan Racing for a sale-topping $2.3 million. That colt, named Arabian Knight, would go on to win the Grade 1 Pacific Classic for Bob Baffert.
Pharocity, who they bred in partnership with Randy Andrews, was consigned to the Keeneland September yearling sale and RNA’d at $275,000. They decided to keep him and turned him over to Steve Asmussen, who rarely works his horses fast. But when Pharocity worked five furlongs at Saratoga on August 16 in :59 flat it opened a lot of eyes. It will be interesting to follow both these colts, as well as the aforementioned Coach Pope, as they step up into stakes company.
Meadow Stable’s Colors Still Making History
It took more than five decades, but the distinctive blue and white checkered pattern of the Meadow Stable silks that lit up the history books in 1972 and ’73 with Secretariat and Riva Ridge have returned to prominence in of all places England, and like with Big Red and Riva, in the third leg of a Triple Crown.
Highwayman, with female jockey Saffie Osborne aboard, captures the St. Leger at Doncaster.
Saturday’s St. Leger at Doncaster, the final leg of the British Triple Crown, was won by 11-1 shot Highwayman, whose rider Saffie Osborne became the first female jockey in history to win a British classic. What made this victory all the more noteworthy is that it appeared the 24-year-old Osborne was wearing the same silks carried by Secretariat and Riva Ridge and all the horses owned by Meadow Stable, which was founded by Christopher Chenery in 1936 and continued on by his daughter Penny.
How can this be, you might ask. It turns out that the horses who race internationally do not have to adhere to the U.S.-based Jockey Club registry.
The owner who paid tribute to Secretariat by registering the stable colors overseas, and nearly identical in design to the Meadow silks, is Cyprus attorney John Neocleous. He was born in 1972, the same year Big Red was named Horse of the Year as a 2-year-old and the same year Riva captured the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. Reportedly, Neocleous is a huge fan of Big Red and always wanted to have his horses wear those famed Meadow Stable silks, and now one of them has carried them to victory in one of England’s most historic races. It was in 1970 that the great Nijinsky II won the St. Leger to sweep the British Triple Crown. No horse has done it since.
Breeders’ Cup Blurbs
If anyone is concerned that Sovereignty was forced to miss the The Jockey Club Gold Cup and will be at a disadvantage in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, remember that there are several ways of looking at his situation. It’s not as if Bill Mott is going to have to use all his skills and experience as a trainer to have him ready for a top effort after missing his prep.
2026 Whitney Stakes winner Sovereignty will train up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
First off, Sheikh Mohammed has been here before, but on the the other end of it. It was 20 years ago that Invasor won the Whitney and was forced to miss The Jockey Club Gold Cup due to illness. Although some may have dismissed him in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, having to go into the race straight from the Whitney, not only did Invasor win despite missing his prep, he defeated the big favorite Bernardini, owned by Sheikh Mohammed, who had romped by almost seven lengths in the Gold Cup.
We saw it again in 2023 when Whitney winner White Abarrio went straight to the Classic and won. In fact, The Jockey Club Gold Cup, run over that expansive mile and a half oval at Belmont, has not been very successful as a prep for the Classic. The only three horses to win both races were Hall of Famers Curlin, Skip Away, and Cigar, and Cigar’s Classic was run at Belmont, so he didn’t have to make any transition to a smaller track and tighter turns.
Also, if you are still worried about Sovereignty having to wait 12 weeks to the Classic, despite Invasor’s and White Abarrio’s success, be aware that Forever Young will be going into the Classic with one start in the last seven months, just as he did last year when he defeated the likes of Sierra Leone and Fierceness. And his countrymate Derma Sotogake finished second in the 2023 Classic, beaten one length, off a six-month layoff.
In addition, if you look at Sovereignty’s Thoro-Graph numbers, after running a “negative-2 1/2” or “negative-2 1/4” in four consecutive races, which were career best numbers, he broke out with a huge “negative-4” in the Whitney. That would leave the Gold Cup open to question as to whether he would “bounce” (regress), and if he didn’t, could he then run a third consecutive monster number in the Classic? Now with extra time between races, he could easily repeat that “negative-4” or even improve on it.
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Following this past weekend’s stakes, Godolphin looks even stronger than it did before, if that is possible. In addition to having the potential favorites for the Classic (Sovereignty), Turf (Ombudsman), and Dirt Mile (Knightsbridge), we saw Notable Speech virtually assure his favoritism for the Mile by charging past American’s top grass miler Determinstic to win the Woodbine Mile going away, and also witnessed a very live horse for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in Al Hudaiba, who scored an impressive victory in the Grade 1 Summer Stakes at Woodbine, storming home his last quarter in an eye-catching :22 1/5. This colt has won four of his six starts and has done it while still extremely immature. He has already made nearly every mistake a young horse can make and still keeps getting better with every start. We just have to see how Ombudsman does in the Champion Stakes, assuming that will be his next start, and if they decide to stretch him out to 1 1/2 miles. This is a colt who relishes firmer ground and couldn’t handle the soft, sticky going in the recent International at York. But when he gets good ground he possesses an explosive turn of foot I have yet to see an American grass horse capable of matching.
Two other performances of note in Ireland this past weekend were the electrifying acceleration displayed by Folsom Blues in the Group 1 National Stakes in Ireland and another powerful victory by Epsom Oaks winner Thundering On in the Group 2 Blandford Stakes. Both of them would be serious contenders in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and Filly and Mare Turf, respectively. If Folsom Blues and Al Hudaiba both come for the Juvenile Turf it is going to take an American horse with a devastating kick to match strides with them in the stretch.
You know Aidan O’Brien is going to have his usual army coming over. But if he sends his 2-year-old filly Sun Goddess, we should be in for a treat. This exciting hard-knocking daughter of the Scat Daddy stallion Sioux Nation has won five of her seven starts, including her last four, with two seconds. And after watching her crush her opponents in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes by 6 1/2 lengths, leaving them far behind in a flash, there is no doubt she would be tough in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.
Photos courtesy of Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher, Racingfotos.com/Stephen Cargill and Skip Dickstein.
Racing historian, author, and award-winning retired journalist for the Daily Racing Form and The Blood-Horse, Steve Haskin was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame’s Media Roll of Honor in 2016. Known for his racing knowledge and insightful prose, he has been an exclusive contributor to Secretariat.com since 2020.
Just imagine if Baeza was running in the Calvin Borel era. Calvin was one of the best closer jocks! Baeza would have more than i Gr 1 win. Born in the wrong year…Just sa yin’
Baeza won’t be remembered as the son of Puca who ran huge in The Derby after drawing in on Thursday, running out of post twenty….he won’t be remembered as the maiden winner that took Journalism to the wire, in the SA Derby….the Jim Dandy runner up, having given Sovereignity his toughest battle as a three year old….or his Penn Derby blowout over Magnitude…..Baeza won’t be remembered for any of THAT…… he’s going to be remembered for his walking out of the gate, no matter what they tried…the cushions, the no assistant starter, the blinkers change, Baeza will be remembered as the horse who dwelt at the break every time…..
I think too much is being made of his slow starts out of the gate. If he was a front runner yes that would be a big issue but for most of his starts he is a ….. closer. In last year’s Pennsylvania Derby which he won he was running 2nd to last going into the first turn and then circled the field on the far turn and won going away.
Mott to me is working him too slow. Sherriff was working him much faster last year. That is why a switch in trainer (unless Mott is willing to change his way with him) ,and that is why I suggested he be switched to Baffert, might be the wake up call he needs. In his workouts ( 5 furlong (in under a minute) to 6 furlong ( in 1:12 or better) range and I would give him a target to run at and let him blow by the work out horse. Start building his confidence, Right now he is just going thru the motions. I think retiring him next year is too soon as he has got so more he can accomplish. Those are my thoughts on him.
That’s not gonna happen at this late date. If Baeza runs more than once before he goes to stud, I’d be surprised.
I would like to know if McKinzie’s babies have a reputation for being “characters.” Of the three famous Puma colts, Baeza seems to have the most quirks and be the least straightforward. However, we also got to hang out with him for an additional year, with a significant disruption for the horse in losing John Shirreffs. When I think of this horse and John, I’m reminded of the colt’s antics in the KY Derby walkover. He was kicking and bucking along, and John just said, “hey, cut it out.” After that, Baeza just went about his job. It seemed like there was an understanding.
Actually he was in front of three horses going around that Penn Derby clubhouse turn, Hector broke him good…..he ran some good races, and perhaps they ought to try him in The Classic….you can’t walk out of there, in a four horse field, but a 14 horse field is a different story…..
Has anyone else noticed the uncanny similarities between the promising 2-year-old Endrush and Golden Tempo?
Is not only that they are closers who won their debuts at 6 furlongs (CD and FG respectively) but their individual internal fractions were strikingly similar:
Both ran 23 3/5, 46 4/5 and 58 2/5 with Endrush finishing in 24 flat stopping the clock in 1:10 4/5 and Golden Tempo final quarter was 23 4/5 finishing in 1:10 3/5.
Endrush win was on a Thursday card (September 10) at Churchill that may have flown under the radar but he defeated a solid group of juveniles from top barns. It was an impressive performance because he had to overcome veering to the outside at the break and shying from left-handed encouragement in the stretch. Despite those hiccups Endrush drew off from the field with authority.
Another resemblance is that both are homebreds by Curlin out of a female family carrying A. P. Indy and Seeking the Gold in the second and third generations.
Endrush’s trainer, Eddie Kenneally, has had only one Kentucky Derby starter (Santiva in 2011), but this talented colt has 10 furlongs stamped in his forehead.
It not surprise me at all if the beautiful chestnut emerges as a major player on the road to the 2027 Double Crown.
More specifically they are out of Bernardini mares
We’ll see
Endrush is out of an A.P. Indy mare.
Oops, sorry!
It’s a spectacular cross…
Happy Sunday everyone.
Thank you Steve for the insights!
A movie is going to be made about the stallion Frankel. Not sure when it will be released.
Will not be relevant this year of course but Good Night Olive’s first foal by Not This Time sold for 1.2 mil to St Elias and Westpoint Thoroughbreds. He is a very striking looking colt in my opinion!
Shotgun Hottie now runs with the Heavenly Herd. Her owner posted a heartfelt message on X.
She was euthanized but he did not say why. Read two different reports, one was colicand the other was founder (another word for laminitis. Aways breaks my heart when I hear about the passing of these young horses.
Looking forward to the cooler temperatures and lower humidity next week and good chances for some badly needed rain.
Happy Sunday Lynda and thank you for the post. It always hurts when any of these majestic animals die because they are the reason why we love this game so much. They will literally give everything they have for us. They are such noble animals.
I think they could make a movie about Frankel the trainer.. That would be a very compelling movie.
Lynda, I read that Shotgun Hottie’s troubles began with a hindlimb laceration that was described as a freak pasture accident. She then developed support limb laminitis in the opposite hind, so they euthanized. Hindlimb laminitis from any cause is so hard to treat. I suspect they did the most humane thing. Devastating. I’m so sorry for the pain she must have endured, and the agonizing decisions her team had to make.
Forever Young won best older horse Eclipse last year, for ONE race…..can he win Horse of the Year THIS year, for TWO races? Talk about times changing, HOY is up for grabs, two starts could do it….(sheesh)…?
I thought that Further Ado was best. The Puma just got the jump on him. A terrific move by Javier Castellano. Flavien Prat and Further Ado waiting for room.
Will both those horses be running in the BC Classic? It’s hard to imagine either threatening the likes of Forever Young. But Further Ado runs best in Kentucky. 2 for 2 at Keeneland and 2 for 3 at Churchill. 0 for 5 outside of Kentucky.
Further Ado could be a sleeper. At least to hit the board. And he will have a recency edge over a lot of them. Though it will be 6 weeks.
The Puma makes early moves, he has done it before, he’s an interesting horse! Prat was scrubbing, he gets down on a horse…he rode late last night, at Churchill….(what are they doing? Horses getting hot walked and bedded down so late!)…but Prat rides at Belmont today, and the guy has kids, it’s only money!
Yes, it must be hard on the grooms having to stay up late and then get up at the crack of dawn the next day. I’m not wild about nighttime racing.
Yes, I have to agree Further Ado was the best horse…Not sure why Prat did not move him sooner, he had a ton of horse!!!! Not the first time he has done that
Yes on all counts. I was wishing that Irad had been there.
I will add one other thing I think Further Ado has the right running style and is good enough to win the BCC .. I think he is that good and would not count him out as a contender.
DTS, he has certainly performed at Keeneland, and it seems like some horses just love that track.
I wonder if Renegade and Further Ado both go to the BCC who Irad would pick?
Probably Renegade due to loyalty to Repole. But something to think about with Further Ado success on that track.
I too think that Irad and his agent would probably choose Renegade, as they did for the Derby. That time they seemed to find the decision easier than I did. I respected their judgment and picked Renegade, but right up until the race was run, I secretly suspected that Further Ado was the better horse. He wasn’t–at least not that day–but he has run some outstanding races and as the saying goes, he don’t get no respect. I never accepted the idea that he is a one-track horse, but we do know he loves Keeneland and if he turns in one of his best performances, he certainly could be a factor in the Breeders Cup Classic. I’d like to see Irad on him for that race, but it probably will depend on whether Renegade runs.
You would think that next Saturday’s Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs would be a great prep race for the Breeders Cup 5 weeks later. Perfect spacing IMO.
But not unless you consider Dragoon Guard, Banishing, Chunk of Gold, and Tiztastic Breeders Cup contenders. The Lukas Classic has a $500k purse. Not too shabby.
I’m telling you, most of the BC horses have already run their preps. Some of those were over a month ago. Most of the horses training up to the BC.
Times have changed. But I don’t have to like it.
Maybe some horses will run at Belmont next week or Keeneland the week after.
I won’t count on it.
Is slow-starting Baeza still pointing to the BC Classic? Wouldn’t it be weird if Baeza chooses the BC Classic to break out of the gate like a rocket? It will be run on Halloween after all.
I am on cloud 9 with The Pumas return to glory ! Incredible name vs all the dull “emerging Market”
Names of one particular owner go The Puma! And where to begin on the incredible ride Forever Young has taken us on ! Thanks Steve for all you do for horse racing
I agree, Nick. Quite a contrast in names. I’m happy about The Puma’s victory, too.
Big move by The Puma around the far turn in the PA Derby! Well done.
(This didn’t post initially, so I will try again)
The Puma ran well. That family is good for racing.
Different subject but has there been any buzz on Forever Young’s handlers having any promising 2 year olds for next year’s Triple Crown trail?
I haven’t heard anything, but wouldn’t that be great? We’ll have to keep an eye on the Japan-based Derby prep races. I didn’t print the full list, so I may have missed some pre-December ones, but I do see that there is a prep called the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun to be run in Japan on December 16th.
I watched the race after I learned the result, but I was still blown away by how quickly The Puma put away his field. Snappy time, too: 1:49 flat for the mile and an eighth. That has to be one of the fastest times for 3YOs in graded stakes at the distance this year.
Big move by The Puma around the far turn in the PA Derby! Well done.
Card Man is another exciting prospect for Chad Brown joining Gaudreau as the best 2-year-old colts in his barn.
Card Man got a good balance of speed and stamina in his pedigree being by Life is Good out of an Arrogate mare. His win at a mile yesterday was very auspicious. He is taking the very same path other Brown’s good ones had taken before (i.e. Bricks and Mortar, Early Voting, Sierra Leone, and Paladin breaking their maidens at a mile convincingly).
My virtual stable for 2-year-old prospects includes:
Gaudreau, U. S. S. Valor, Coach Pope, Endrush, Card Man, Hughes, Salahudin, Imperial Honor, American History, The Good Life, Mystrix, Twinkle Town, Q B Rocket, He is no Lie, and Inshallah.
Nelson,
This is an example of what I noted below.
Card Man a breeding of “Greatness” Life is Good with and Arrogate mare.
Coach Pope … Tapit with a Ghostzapper mare.
This is what I am talking about.!!!
Excuse me for changing the subject but I have gone back several times and watched this years Pacific Classic and am still befuddled at the performance of Subsanador in that race. He came into the race with beautiful workouts and I know he had an excuse (dangling shoe) for his previous race but he basically showed nothing in the PC. I know he can run better than he showed in that race.
Steve, if you have any contacts with Mandella to see if the horse had any excuses for that poor performance I would appreciate it.
I too, was high on Subsanador, and the Pacific Classic had plenty of pace….Subsanador showed nothing! After solid works….he WAS out for nearly two years…
It is interesting that U. S. S. Valor’s damsire, Tiz Wonderful, and great damsire, Eastern Echo, were both precocious undefeated 2-year-olds whose careers were cut short by injuries.
Eastern Echo was a leading 2-eyar-old on the merits of being undefeated in 3 starts including the Belmont Futurity (7 F in 1:22 2/5) beating Deposit Ticket who had won the Hollywood Juvenile Championship, the Sapling, and the Hopeful Stakes for D. Wayne Lukas.
Eastern Echo fractured the sesamoide bone in his right front leg after working half mile in 46 2/5 at Belmont while preparing for the Champagne.
No one would know how good the son of Damascus and maternal grandson of Northern Dancer really was.
Tiz Wonderful, was also undefeated in 3 starts and one of the winter book favorites for the Kentucky Derby. His PP reads a win by 12 lengths at Saratoga (6 F in 1:17 3/5), then won the Iroquois by 7 lengths (in 1:35 4/5 for the mile), and the Kentucky Jockey Club in record time (1 1/6 mile in 1:42 4/5).
The son of Tiznow was the second fastest 2-year-old behind champion Street Sense but a tendon injury in his right front leg kept him out of the Triple Crown and he never regained form in only two races as a 3-year old. A serious tendon injury in his right hind leg prompted his retirement in the fall of 2007.
U. S. S. Valor seems to have inherited the precocity and speed of his first two damsires and I hope he remains healthy and keeps progressing next year so he can vindicate them.
Thanks Nelson,, good background information on USS Valor.
Thanks DTS.
Don’t you feel the itch to admire and support horses with ordinary pedigrees conquering rivals with elite bloodlines? a la California Chrome…
Too be honest with you I appreciate great performances from horses regardless of pedigree but I want consistency !!! Yes I loved when California Chrome came along and in a way he was a freak of sorts. Initially he was a winning races by day light and as the competition became tougher his winning margins became shorter but yes I loved it then when he was beating .the well bred horse. Same with Seattle Slew ($17000) and Spectacular Bid ($37000) and John Henry etc…
But then again I also like to see the Well Bred horse succeed just for the fact you hope he can continue pass on his greatness. That is why I hope for the success of the Flightline and Justify breedings etc…
I hope this makes sense and you can see were I am coming from.
I always enjoy your comments
Your point makes all the sense in the world DTS.
Elite bloodlines are the main pillars of the sport and even the horses you mentioned have many stars and superior runners in their pedigrees.
As you said, well bred horses are destined to eventually spread greatness no matter the generation they appear in modern pedigrees.
With that said, Thank God the “small people” also have a shot at getting a good horse – this ensures the sustainability of the sport.
How True…. as the old saying goes. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while
Paladin, Paladin, where did you go?…..No works, Mewonders what has become of this unbeaten three year old?.
Forever Young got the job done, winning the JCGC comfortably, in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Yet Yoshito Yahagi did not seemed pleased with the way he went about it. No details on what bothered Mr. Yahagi (someone suggested not changing leads) but he certainly knows what makes his horse tick and will be addressing his concerns while training for the BC. Good horseman.
He never changed leads and his action was very sloppy. The Japanese are perfectionists which is why they are great horsemen. Not the usual cliches that say nothing. But I wouldnt knock the horse. That was Belmont and being wide. Horses have trouble changing leads there. He will be just fine at Keeneland with the sharper turns.
Now that you mention it, Steve, Belmont’s wide and long track might be a factor in some horses not changing leads. Makes good sense. That’s for the lesson!
s/b thanks for the lesson!
Also …he never changed leads, and bore out some, but his race time was solid…
Yes Dewey Forever Young was not as smooth as desirable but I tought he was the same in the last two Dubai World Cups he lost at Meydan against (on paper) lesser rivals. It seems he is not as effective at those type of tracks like Belmont / Meydan….
Anyway, the speed figures for his JCGC suggest he was faster than his Breeder’s Cup Classic… As Steve suggested, Keeneland could very well be more menable to his action.
The Japanese star will have to contend with Sovereignty, Knightsbridge, and Magnitude in the BC Classic but he will be in better shape after yesterday’s successful tune-up.
Nelson, I agree with the points you made. Forever Young certainly looked to be the picture of good health and, as you said, he should be primed for a top effort in the BC Classic.
As the curtain comes down on his brilliant career, I will be getting a bit of a lump in my throat as I say goodbye to a horse who never failed to show up and give his best each and every time he ran. He personifies the word “champion” and he’ll always have a place in my heart.
p,s, I wish that his connections would have given him a try on the grass just once, ala Secretariat. Perhaps, Mr. Yahagi may have worked him on the grass and decided against it. We’ll never know.
Arthur Hancock III, a man who cast his own shadow…and it was a big one….I do not remember his entire story…he was somewhat cast aside, in his family hierarchy….and he went out and achieved monumental success, as a dual Derby winning owner…and a breeder, as well….multi talented man, he reached age eighty-three, he always “seemed young”….
Coincidence? Arthur Hancock dies on the day that his beloved Sunday Silence’s great grandson gets revenge for Easy Goer beating him at Belmont Park in 1989 and keeping him from winning the triple crown. Shug(Easy Goer’s trainer) wins the first two races at the new Belmont Park. Steve, this is too good for you to not write one of your gems about it. God I love this game! America’s original sport.
That is all in the following weeks column. Not this coming Monday. Have something not current for Monday .
Love it, can’t wait!
Arthur Hancock III passed away today. Wild to see this as the second “breaking news” banner on The Bloodhorse’s website, just above the announcement of Forever Young’s win today. Racing never leaves us wanting for these sorts of uncanny human-horse connections.
RIP, Mr. Hancock. It didn’t seem like it could ever work out like it did when Sunday Silence left for Japan, but you gave him the right career, on and off the track. Thanks for sharing your horses and your music with the world.
I just read the BH article. Really an accomplished man. It seems some are born with a special energy, and success flows from that source.
Arthur Hancock III he definitely was a unique individual and reminds me of a phrase by Hunter S Thompson ::
” It was obvious he was a man who marched through life to the rhythms of a some drum that I would never hear ”
Horse racing was lucky to have a person like him. RIP
If I’m not mistaken, Mr. Hancock named Sunday Silence after a song he wrote.
Dewey, he actually wrote the song as a sort of thank you to the horse. He was old friends with the fantastic Peter Rowan (probably best known for his work with Grisman, Garcia, and Clements in Old And In The Way). Peter helped him develop and record a bluegrass album for which Arthur had been writing songs for years. On that album, Mr Hancock worked with artists Sam Bush (New Grass Revival), dobro virtuoso Jerry Douglas, JD Crowe (New South), and others. That’s how good Rowan’s recommendation and Arthur’s bluegrass chops were, that those types of performing and studio musicians would lend their artistry to a project by someone who was basically unknown in their industry.
Thanks very much, Katy, for the “story behind the story”. I found it interesting. Leave it to me, for putting the cart before the horse, lol. Arthur Hancock’s musical side gave his persona an extra appeal in completing the man. He will be missed by many.
I was happy to see Shug McGaughey winning the first two races at Belmont opening day today.
Shug is still going strong after 48 years in the profession and U. S. S. Valor could just be spearheding a renaissance of the Hall of Fame trainer.
Beyond the nostalgia it is deeply satisfying seeing that genuine horsemanship and the special respect for the horse, patience and craft of the old timers are still key to develop great horses.
Forever Young!!!
I had looked forward to today, but I found it a total loss. The new Belmont, in my opinion, is about as ugly as a racetrack can be, and I was not impressed by the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Forever Young may be a great horse but I did not consider this a great race. He did what he had to do and I give him credit for that. But all he had to do was beat Phileas Fogg and Stars and Stripes–not an earth-shaking achievement–and also Baeza, who beat himself. I was hoping Baeza would come from nowhere like Renegade did in the Jim Dandy, but that was not to be. This race will certainly help Forever Young get ready for the Breeders’ Cup, where he may provide more evidence of greatness, but I don’t think we learned anything today.
Jiffy, I totally agree with you about Belmont — at least what I saw of it. They’re still working on it, but did they really have to change out the eighth poles that Secretariat ran past? (Terrible grammar, but now I’m an unemployed/retired editor.) And ASTROTURF in the (nearly) treeless paddock?! The ghosts of many, many Belmont worthies from the 1910s through the early 21st century are flipping out in their graves. Even the famous scotch pine is gone. And yeah, nice public workout for Forever Young.
The big time gap before the Gold Cup to accomodate some sort of concert seemed to undermine any vestiges of old racetrack days. With limited attendance, i’d rather see some old racetrackers than twentysomethings there for the music, which i muted.
I was in and out of the room during some parts of the six-hour broadcast, and when I came in and saw that concert, I thought I must have messed up on one of Fox’s many channel switches. I started looking around for a channel with horses. I couldn’t believe I was actually watching a racing program.
I know what you mean, Ms Blacktype. Astroturf! Ai-yai! The paddock looks so sterile, just like the grandstand.
Was there ever a doubt but ….. It wasn’t the prettiest race or a wowser performance but it was workman like and a win. FY action wasn’t the smoothest but it was good enough for the win and that is all that counts. I think he will get alot out of this race and actual I was surprised by the final time which was faster that I thought it would be considering the early fractions were slow. Phineas Fogg… his race was a joke in that he was practically crawling on the front end and then couldn’t finish. If were the owner(s) of Baeza I would take him away from Mott. I have nothing against Mott he is an excellent trainer but this horse needs a wake up call . I would turn him over to Baffert. This horse has been living the Country Club life and needs to be put to work.
You may have something there are moving Baeza to BB, Downy! LOL.
ABOUT moving Baeza . . .
Unfortunately, it will never happen as it looks like he will be standing stud next year at Spendthrift farms . He really hasn’t accomplished much in my opinion. Probably another that will end up in Korea or Turkey unless he become a prolific stud horse. My crystal ball can’t tell me that right now as it is cloudy on that subject.
Some horses give you a feeling that they are much better than their records indicate and that they have a really big race waiting for them somewhere. I’ve always felt that way about Baeza. But if it’s going to happen, there’s not much time. I’d hate to see him sent out of the country. With two classic-winning brothers, he obviously has great genes which would be very attractive to smaller breeders in this country–in New York, for example–if things don’t work out in Kentucky. But foreign breeders seem to put up more money. Anyhow, I’m looking too far into the future. I’ll just hope he does run one big race and succeeds at stud at Spendthrift.
Another favorite of mine whom I believe is better than he gets credit for is Further Ado, who runs tomorrow in Pennsylvania. I wish him well.
Hooray for Forever Young! Two questions:
1. I wonder why he didn’t switch leads in the stretch? I forget if that’s a habit of his.
2. Doesn’t it look as if the fencing at the “new and improved” Belmont keeps fans awfully far from the rail? I wouldn’t like that at all.
Baeza now stands at 2 for 13. But he did beat Magnitude in last year’s Pennsylvania Derby.
I’ll cut Baeza some slack. I think he was prepared to break better until he walked up to the gate and found that they had copied Saratoga’s goofy Wilson Chute.
Frank called Forever Young one of the greatest horses of all-time. OK. He did beat
Stars and Stripes by 3 lengths. No offense.
Seriously, Baeza needs a horse whisperer. Whispering “GET OUT OF THE GATE”.
LOL!
I think only will threat to FY is Phineas Fogg in today’s JCGC
I’m a big fan of Sovereignty. Like almost everyone, I was relieved to see him win the Whitney in a race that looked similar to his wins last year.
Similar???? He was dropping back before the last turn before kicking it into gear and running down a very good horse in Nitrogen. To my eye, it was more of a grinding win.
He didn’t “get on them quick” like he did last year. Sometimes you have to throw the numbers aside. I haven’t seen the beast that we saw as a three-year-old. Throw in the erratic racing schedule this year, and I may be looking to bet against one of my favorite horses of all-time in the BC Classic. IF he does indeed show up at Keeneland on Halloween. His schedule was erratic even before this abscess issue came up.
I’ll be watching closely as Sovereignty prepares for the big day.
After the abscess was announced, Bill Mott said that Sovereignty was no better than 50/50 to make the Jockey Club Gold Cup. I see Sovereignty as 50/50 to make the BC Classic. No offense.
The $1million Jockey Gold Cup in down to just 4 horses.
Not exactly a special event.
Jockey Club Gold Cup
According to DR, Pharocity has been taken out of training for the rest of 2026 due to an unspecified injury. Really big sigh.
Dadgum Samsung. I typed in DRF for Daily Racing Form.
Yes, Sharon, that new took all of the air out of my balloon. I really dislike “losing” promising 2YOs to injury just as things are getting interesting. Hope he heals up nice.
U. S. S. Valor not only would have whipped The Good Life in the Hopeful but his time of 1:22 flat would have won every 7-furlong Hopeful Stakes except the two (record-setting) ones won by Jackie’s Warrior (1:21.29) and Came Home (1:21.94).
Anyone who watched U. S. S. Valor troublesome debut could see he was the best horse in the field despite finishing a close third behind the also very promising Gaudreau and Coach Pope. That first race in the Whitney Stakes undercard might prove to be one of the most consequential 2-year-old maiden races in the recent history of Saratoga.
Admiralty and Mystrix in race 2 that afternoon are two very talented 2-year-olds as well.
Last year also in the Whitney undercard the first race showcased Ted Noffey in all his promising brilliance…
It is nice to see Shug McGaughey having U. S. S. Valor as his most promising 2-year-old colt since Easy Goer in 1988 __many would reckon Polish Navy and Rhythm fall in that category; and the Hall of Fame trainer would not like to see another Sunday Silence stealing the show this time.
Yes, anyone who’s seen U. S. S. Valor running so far is feeling he is something special, but it takes Stakes victories to make it official: the Champagne and the BC Juvenile trophies will make the son of War of Will the best 2-year-old in the country and might very well turn out to be a great one.
Of course, the same is true for any other gifted juvenile on your watch list.
Promise is easy to spot at two; greatness is earned in the next two or three falls.
On other interesting thing to note::
That August 8th maiden race at Saratoga in which GANDREAU broke his maiden. Coach Pope finished 2nd beaten only a half a length. He was followed by USS Valor who finished 3rd but there was another horse in that race named Hemingway.
He also did well in his next start by beating his opponents by 8 3/4’s but that was done on turf.
All in all a pretty impressive field that was on that August 8th race at Saratoga.!!!
What they call a “key race”….
Steve, I love the title Battle Stations. In keeping with military terms. You have been the best man for “Taking the Point” and keeping us informed of what’s out there in front of us and what might be lurking in the shadows. Thanks!
Once again your column is the best thing I’ve read all week, bravo. If you would be so kind, I would appreciate it if you would give your take on how you see the JCGC unfolding.
Thanks Chris. The gold cup is down to 5 so not much to say. Forever Young is obviously the star but trainer says hes not 100% yet and using this as a prep for the Classic. Key is whether Baeza breaks well this time. Not much of a race to bet. I would go with Baeza and cross my fingers he breaks. Other key is whether Phileas fogg
Can steal it.
Thanks Steve, that sounds right on. How about this angle, Sunday Silence’s great grandson returns to Belmont Park to revenge the loss that cost his great grandfather The Triple Crown. Unfortunately none of Forever Young’s competitors trace back to Easy Goer. I would’ve had to put a $2.00 bet on that as I was an Easy Goer fan.
Hey Steve, great column on a few of the emerging 2 yos. I also was taken by USS Valor’s effort in breaking his maiden. He certainly is one who bears watching and I’ll be anxious to see him race in the Champagne Stakes.
As for Coach Pope, he is the one who really impressed me. His race on Saturday, Sep. 12, was eye opening. He appears to be mature and intelligent, responding to Manny Franco’s moves in holding back early, then moving into contention around the turn. His powerful run to extend his lead, cruising home to win by 12 1/2 lengths was awesome. Wonder what Kenny McPeek has planned as his next race? Being in Lexington, I’ll be rooting for both the Wildcats and Coach Pope.
BTW, I saw Forever Young’s workout at Belmont on Tuesday morning. He looks to be in great shape and ready to shine in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. He worked 5 furlongs and came home strong, finishing in 1:02.1.
Great time for horse racing….. 2 yos. and Breeders Cup. Love it! Thanks as always, Steve. You always seem to dig up some gems for us to appreciate.
That s/b Jose Ortiz, not Manny Franco. The race was at Churchill and that is another plus for Coach Pope who appeared to like the track.
Coach Pope’s gallop out was nothing short of spectacular.
Steve,
Went and watched his race again today but from another YouTube sight which showed the race and the Gallup out and return to the winner circle and thought the same thing. Ortiz just took his time getting back. The other horses in race already had there saddles off and were going back to the barn. Like I said earlier I am excited for his next race.
Dewey saw Forever Young workout… poetry in motion !!!
My thoughts as well, Downy. FY finished very strong at the end. Can’t wait to see him run in the JCGC tomorrow. It isn’t much of a betting race with just 5 runners, but I’ll certainly enjoy watching to see if Baeza or Phileas Fogg can give him some competition. Win or lose, he will be set up in good order for the BC Classic.
Regarding Coach Pope, I haven’t heard what McPeek has planned for Coach Pope’s next race. If you hear anything, please let us know. Thanks.
From what I read on The Bloodhorse it could be the Kentucky Breeders Futurity on October 3rd at Keeneland. That could be a perfect set up if they decide to run in the BC Juvenile. I also read that Leading Change to skip the Breeders Cup altogether.
Thanks, Downy, I was hoping that the Breeders Futurity would be the next race for Coach Pope. Keeneland is my home track and I’ll able to see him up close and personal. Can’t wait!
Steve;
Notable Speech was very impressive in the Woodbine Mile. He is currently 2-1 favorite in UK futures. Erdenali is currently 2nd choice in futures at 3-1. Deterministic is 10-1
Did you see the Prix Moulin (9/6/26)? Erdenali was very impressive in beating Ten Bob Tony, who also ran a great race. Blue Bolt (a filly) is 4-1 for the Mile….Europe really has a bunch of strong turf milers: I am really looking forward to the BC Mile…
Parx pulls out the stops, once a year, Saturday is it…..Our Moneyman is 8-1 in The Penn Derby? Methinks he gets bet down to 4-1…and wins……
Louisiana bred…..recent $2 purchase….quite odd….good horse..
(million)
Baffert has a very good 2 year old in Imperial Honor – his dam is a half to Deterministic. He’s very fast, but tractable – he won as easily as could be (the chart literally said “in hand”), with a very solid 85 BSF
Do not be surprised if he goes straight to the American Pharaoh
When did he race?
Sept. 7 at Del Mar. Checking it out myself!
Betsy
Saw the race and with word “Honor” I figured knowing how much you love Honor AP he had to be involved some how with this horse. He ran a very nice race and if there is a trainer that can get best out of a horse it is Baffert but keeping him together and healthy you got to keep your fingers crossed and with this horse I will do that.. but as far as the American Pharoah race might be asking too much a little too soon. JMO
Good Luck
Hey Down
Of course, lol. HAP only has teeny crops for the next few years (bred to 110 this year, though…yay) so its especially important if he can have a couple of good horses to see him through until the 2027 crop gets to the races
I saw his works – he’s the goods. He sold for $725,000 at OBS June, so he’s certainly very good looking
I’m just speculating – I could be dead wrong. I do have a friend who follows Bob religiously, and he thinks the AP is possible because it’s similar to what Bob did with Corniche – sane maiden race, too
There’s no race for IH in CA if he doesn’t run in the AP – unless he waits for the Bob Hope near the end of November, which I don’t see. I suppose he could ship to KY, but I’d be surprised
We’ll see – outside of Hughes, there’s no one in CA. Bob will do the right thing
Thank you !!!
Steve: This is a nice juicy column! I loved the back story on USS Valor and you gave us excellent updates on two other interesting two year olds as well. And your calming comments about Sovereignty’s chances in the Breeders Cup are much appreciated. The ThoroGraph figs for both Sovereignty and ‘Valor are more proof that these are two exceptional horses.
P.S. If I ever knew, I hadn’t remembered Barry Irwin was a writer, starting at the Blood-Horse (I HAD to have read a few of his stories back in the 70s). I’m looking for a fun read, and “Knight Errant” sounds like a good one.
Ms Blacktype,
Want give you credit on pointing out Coach Pope in Steve’s last article. I finally got a chance to see his last race on video yesterday. If there a horse I most want to see his next race it is him. I think he could have won by more than 12 length but Ortiz had him under wraps half way down the stretch…. Good call !!!
Thanks, Downy! The two-year-old race is starting to heat up. I just watched Pharocity’s debut win. He took the lead early then powered through the stretch, with the last two quarters faster than the winner of the Spinaway. Very impressive.
Exciting times indeed !!!
Steve we’re “in the know” like no other group, because of your ability to catch early talent! I only watched USS Valor because you said he was a talent, there are often huge winning margins at Churchill Downs and Belmont Park, USS Valor crushed them at Saratoga, on a day the top filly ran three.e. lengths slower, setting the stage for great story—
You caught this colt early….his trainer was contemplating retirement….his owner having spent a lifetime chasing a dream, certainly an interesting old grump!
I think that day we saw the top colt and the top filly in the land, it’s way early, but they tipped their hooves!
And now comes the “rest of the story”…..and that’s in good hands!
I thought Bob’s colt overcame a troubled break…beat a nice colt….USS Valor looks like any kind, and I’m high on that Spinaway winning filly, who paid 15-1 in her debut, goes to show you there’s talent galore, in those Saratoga maiden races….
***U.S.S. Valor trained by Shug McGaughey. Oh boy.
***Pharocity with his breeding and Steve Asmussen
***Coach Pope and Kenny McPeek
***Salahudin and Bob Baffert.
This should be fun to watch but I have learned not to be all in on precocious two year olds. Names of which I remember from years past. His Majesty, Mr. Prospector, Mocassin, Danzig, and the incomparable Ruffian. We will see whether any of the above four turn into the second coming of Seattle Slew. Or, if we are really hyping things up, Man O’War. I just hope none are injured and have a career longer than six, measily races.
There is a heck of a story angle here if the fictional equine hero all but manifests from the page to a living, breathing champion. I love the dream! However, Saratoga 2 year olds disappoint me in the grander scheme (aka, longterm success) every single year.
Speaking of one I was high on that didn’t pan out at 3 (yet), Ted Noffey was getting started with his stakes races this time last year. To compare USS Valor’s 7F finish time to one that was pretty highly regarded, Ted Noffey’s Hopeful time was 1:22.35. Different tracks, different days, but I see you, USS Valor.
I really want to see Gaudreau go again, based on next-out performances of the two who finished behind him in what may become an illustrious maiden race. This is a LA-bred January colt, so I need to temper my expectations for still being on him in May 2027. However, he is by Nyquist, so success as a juvenile has a teeny percent chance of indicating possible success at 3. Momma is Free Cover, another broodmare by Congrats, and out of a Holy Bull mare. She did her best running at 3, when she was on the board in 6 of 9 starts and achieved her stakes placing in a LS. (Aside: I would love to know if the name “Free Cover” has anything to do with a waived/refunded stud fee?!) Gaudreau is with Chad Brown, and I cannot make up my mind about how I feel about that.
All that brings me to the point that Gaudreau is aiming for the Champagne on 10/3. So is USS Valor! So we will potentially get a rematch of that early August MSW. Let them please stay sound and healthy for a long, long time!
Steve,
Thanks for this round-up on racing news this past week or two. On USS Valor he ran a very good race but in the future I will not be rooting for him and my reasons will remain with me for now. As for the two year olds that you have run in the last two weeks I will give my on least favorite to who I thought looked best.
For least I will give a tie to Salahudin and the The Good Life. Salahudin action was very strange and he looks more of a grinder clearly right now doesn’t have a quick turn of foot. Baffert said he is a big baby and still has a lot of growing up to do… time will tell. The Good Life though winning the Hopeful looked to be struggling to win it. … Maybe the race will help him… another one we have to wait and see.
Next will have to be Pharocity but I did not see his race so can’t really say much about him. Being trained by Steve A he could be anything but being a 2 year old and Steve A KD record it is up in the air with him.
I am going to say it is a tie between Hughes and USS Valor. Both won there races nicely the past week but I would have to say I like Hughes race in the Best Pal than the DM Fut. but with that said it was hot and humid on DMF day. USS Valor ran a lights out race but it was against maiden and as far possibly winning the HOPEFUL by 10 lengths all I can say it although it was the same race track it was done on a different day, Most impressive was to me was Coach Pope. Man was he impressive !!! (Didn’t I just say that (?!?! )…Deja Vu…. When the jockey asked him to back off at the beginning of the race at the far turn he did just that…. and then when the jock asked him to turn it on at the top of the stretch …. Well he did just that !!! He almost looked like a greyhound in the stretch…. just beautiful action. He can go a mile and I have no doubt he can go 1 1/16 whether he can go 1 1/4 mile only time will tell … but remember this his daddy sired another fast horse…. I believe his name was…… Flightline !!!
As far as Sovereignty I have no doubt about him as long as he remains a …. closer !!!
More worried about Asmussen and Magnitude unless he is able to steal a big lead on the front end early in the race but I don’t see that happening.
Have a Great Week Steve and everyone else !!!
Incredible article as always Steve! And the Derby trail begins !