MORELLO, 3yo colt, (Classic Empire – Stop the Wedding, by Congrats) Owner(s): Blue Lion Thoroughbreds, Craig Taylor and Diamond T Racing Breeder(s): Robert B. Tillyer & Dr. Chet Blackey (KY) Trainer: Steve Asmussen Morello, a horse named after Rage Against the Machine’s lead guitarist, is gaining ground in the 3-year-old ranks. If he can keep playing […]
Adare Manor – A Promising KY Oaks Prospect? – OPTIMAL Mating Profile
ADARE MANOR, 3yo filly, (Uncle M0 – Brooklynsway, by Giant Gizmo) Owner(s): Michael Lund Petersen Breeder(s): Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Gary Broad (KY) Trainer: Bob Baffert Adare Manor’s last-out Grade 3 Las Virgenes win improved her record to 2-1-0 in four races bringing her total earnings to $176,600. Her two defeats occurred […]
Mo Donegal – A Promising KY Derby Prospect? – OPTIMAL Mating Profile
MO DONEGAL, 3yo colt, (Uncle M0 – Callingmissbrown, by Pulpit) Owner(s): Donegal Racing Breeder(s): Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stable (KY) Trainer: Todd Pletcher Donegal Racing bought Mo Donegal for $250,000 as a yearling from Ashview Farm’s consignment at the 2020 September Keeneland Yearling Sale. In his second career start, Mo Donegal broke his maiden. […]
Client Success: Hard Spun Colt Draws Clear in Flashy Oaklawn Maiden
Kupuna (c, 3, Hard Spun–Hanalei Hailey, by Malibu Moon) Kupuna (c, 3, Hard Spun—Hanalei Hailey, by Malibu Moon) began his career at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5 with blinkers on and finished third after a poor start to his 6 1/2-furlong trip. The Hard Spun colt was once again confronted with closing from the back […]
Client Success: Animal Kingdom Filly Wins Two in a Row at Fair Grounds
DREAMWORKER (f, 2, Animal Kingdom–Dream to Dream, by Scat Daddy) In her first start, Dreamworker (Animal Kingdom) was a disappointing eighth behind Secret Oath (Arrogate) going two turns on the dirt at Churchill Downs. She switched to grass and added first-time Lasix to graduate over the Fair Grounds course in her second start on Dec. […]
Case Study – KY Oaks Contender – Will’s Secret
WILL’S SECRET (Will Take Charge – Girls Secret, by Giant’s Causeway) A homebred campaigned by Willis Horton Racing and trained by Dallas Stewart, Will’s Secret was bred in Kentucky by her owner and is out of the winning Giant’s Causeway mare, Girls Secret. Will’s Secret has an overall race record of three wins and three […]
A Tale of Two Fillies
A Tale of Two Fillies I recently posted a client success story regarding a Distorted Humor filly that broke her maiden in her first start, “Client Success: Homebred Distorted Humor Filly Wins First Out At Laurel” (See pic above). I had the honor of designing the OPTIMAL Mating that produced her for her owner and […]
Client Success: Halama Wires, Draws Away at Churchill
HALAMA (f, 2, Pioneerof the Nile–Milania, by Bernardini) Halama (f, 3, Pioneerof the Nile–Milania, by Bernardini) set the pace early, was off the rail into the lane then drew away under jockey Tyler Gaffalione. She was geared down to the wire in winning by three lengths. Halama was acquired in utero for $310,000 at Keeneland […]
OPTIMAL Maidens: Nyquist Firster Keeps to Task, Pays $10.00 to Win
MINUTE WALTZ (f, 2, Nyquist–Is It Safe, by Yes It’s True) Minute Waltz (Nyquist), with a sharp debut score on Saturday, began to repay her $425,000 price tag at Keeneland September. Racing midpack six wide off a blazing first quarter in :21.34, the 4-1 shot rallied in the four to five path to take on the […]