Presenter wins Hooper | Coglia
Godolphin’s Speaker corner (Street Sense) and First Captain (Curlin), owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm, Woodford Racing and celebrity chef Bobby Flay, appeared on course to tilt at the April 9 GI Carter H. tournament at the Aqueduct. This term, the former, coached by Bill Mott, posted a pair of one-time wins at Gulfstream Park – GIII Fred Hooper S. Jan 29, followed by GII Gulfstream Park Mile March 5. Last year, he took three starts in New York, including a 6 3/4 length win in the race for the Belmont option in October before finishing second at the Discovery S. Derby Pennsylvania in September .
Godolphin director Michael Banahan said: “He showed a lot last year. “We tried stretching him, but that’s not really what he wants to do. We took him back a mile once and he impressed in both. That’s what it sounds like he wants to do.”
Speaker’s Corner made four feathers at: 50.80 at Payson March 18. Godolphin crossbreed from Tyburn Brook (Bernardini), daughter of 2006 GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner.
“He’s a bigger and stronger version of himself,” said Banahan. “Even as a pony, we always liked him at the ranch. He is not an unqualified mare but has a very good pedigree. When he went to Florida for pre-training, he showed a lot of talent. When he was sent to Bill, he said the same thing, so we always had high hopes for him.”
Also gearing up for next month’s Carter, First Captain will be aiming for his first win at the top level. Bred by Bobby Flay Thoroughbreds, First Captains made his winning season debut for Shug McGaughey in a seven-time allowable sprint at Gulfstream on Feb. 27. Last season, he had three. consecutive wins at Belmont, including a 1/4-point win in GIII Dwyer going one mile in Belmont in July before finishing third in the nine-month race on July 30 Curlin S. in Saratoga.
West Point Thoroughbreds spokesman Jason Blewitt said: “He has a one-turn grinding style that is, in general, a tough style to win at Gulfstream, so we’re delighted he did well. . “The fact that he stood up to win, not a surprise, really feels great. We are proud of him to find a goal that ends with such a closing kick. He will appear if it is in a really good state for Shug. ”
Especially at one-legged, Carter will act as a classification test to see if he can win the two-legs.
Blewitt said: “I’m not completely convinced that he doesn’t want to go twice. “In spite of Curlin It’s disappointing for him, maybe it was a case of a bad ride and he had a little ankle problem afterwards,” Blewitt said. “There is no denying that his races at Belmont last spring and summer were impressive as was his seventh and eighth win at Gulfstream. On paper it looks pretty black and white when he’s 4v4 at a time, so I can’t wait to see how he’ll line up in Carter. It’s a race with a very rich history. ”
A strong performance from the First Captain in Carter could pave the way to GI Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan H. June 11 in Belmont. Vekoma is the most recent horse to achieve the Carter-Met Mile double in 2020.
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This story was posted in Top News and tagged Bill Mott, Bobby Flay, Curlin, First Captain, GI Carter H., Godolphin, Jason Blewitt, Shug McGaughey, Farm Siena, Speaker corner, Street Sense, Purebred West Point, Woodford Racing.
