2021 kicks off the sophomore season for our nine 3 year old colts. Seven of the colts are Kentucky Breds and two are New York Breds. From a breeding perspective, most of the nine are bred to run longer distances. It’s hard to say with any certainty though because only two of the nine colts ran as 2 year olds. Each is at a different stage of readiness so they will make it to the racetrack at varying times throughout the year.
Secret Potion (Into Mischief – Caxambas Pass by Tiznow)
Owners: Peter Brant, Robert LaPenta, Woodford Racing
Trainer: Chad Brown
Secret Potion ran three times in 2020 as a 2 year old. His first race was in August at Saratoga Racecourse going 1 1/16th miles on the turf. After leading the entire race, Secret Potion got caught nearing the wire and finished second, losing by a 1/2 length.
Chad Brown was pleased with the effort and as a result, ran him on the turf in the Grade 1 Summer Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack in September as a maiden. In the Summer Stakes, Secret Potion ran evenly, finishing sixth.
His final start of 2020 was at Belmont Park in October going a mile on the turf. Starting from post position 12, he was wide the entire race, never saving any ground. He finished 6th and was put away for the balance of the year.
Secret Potion is training well in Florida at Palm Meadows Training Center and should run any day at Gulfstream Park.
Bajan Rum (Speightster – Feline Flatline by Lion Heart)
Owner: Woodford Racing
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Bajan Rum ran once in 2020 at Saratoga Racecourse in a 5 1/2 furlong dirt sprint. He finished sixth beaten by Momos. Momos went on to finish third in two Grade 2 stakes (Saratoga Special and Futurity) as well as running in the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Bajan Rum is by Speightster who finished 2020 as #8 amongst First Crop Sires. He is currently at Blackwood Training Center in Midway, Kentucky and will soon return to Shug McGaughey at Gulfstream Park.
Egyptian Road (Quality Road – Nefertiti by Speightstown)
Owners: Woodford Racing
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Egyptian Road is currently at Blackwood Training Center in Midway, KY recovering from a fractured accessory carpal bone in his knee. While the knee is improving, he is only hand walking at this point so he is several months away from racing. We are anxious to get Egyptian Road to the races as he is a 1/2 brother to Engage, one of our older horses who is a multiple graded stakes winner.
First Captain (Curlin – America by A.P.Indy)
Owners: West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
First Captain is currently at Blackwood Training Center in Midway, KY. He is recovering from a suspensory ligament injury which required multiple stem cell injections.
Flightline (Tapit – Feathered by Indian Charlie)
Owners: Hronis Racing, Woodford Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds
Trainer: John Sadler
Flightline is in training at Santa Anita Racetrack and had his first “official” workout on January 9. The workout was impressive and caught the attention of trainer Bob Baffert who asks John Sadler in the video below, “who’s that” when Flightline ran by during the workout!
Golden Gavel (Candy Ride – Endless Chatter by First Samurai)
Owner: Woodford Racing
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Golden Gavel is currently at Margaux Farm in Lexington, KY. He is close to returning to Shug McGaughey’s stable at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Fl where he will prep for a start at Gulfstream Park.
Golden Gavel
Potus
Owner: Woodford Racing
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Potus is currently in training at Shug McGaughey’s Payson Park operation in Indiantown, Florida. He has had several workouts in Maryland and Florida and should start any day on the turf at Gulfstream Park.
Mr. Connecticut (Lemon Drop Kid – Distorted Love by Distorted Humor)
Owners: Dalinka, Weintraub, Levine, Dorsman and Bouchey
Trainer: Christophe Clement
Mr. Connecticut is currently at Palm Meadows Training Center recovering from a hoof injury. He is a New York Bred who will return to training in the next few months with the goal of running on the turf at Aqueduct Racetrack in April.
Mr. Connecticut
War Smoke (War Dancer – Holy Smokie by Holy Bull)
Owners: Dorsman and Bouchey
Trainer: Jeremiah Englehart
War Smoke is currently in training at Webb Carroll Training Center in St. Matthews, SC. He will ship North in early April to run on the turf at Aqueduct Racetrack. War Smoke is a New York Bred by War Dancer who finished 2020 as #13 amongst First Crop Sires