Only two races are featured this week, and they have opposite ends of the spectrum: a returning Class I winner and a pony who just started his career. One is expected to face a champion next while the other will meet winners for the first time. However, they have a common theme as they are both by the top son of Hill ‘n’ Dale Curlin.
Wednesday’s details: GISW Return Complaint at Fair Facility
7th Fair Zone, $56,000, Alw (NW3$X) / Opt. Clm ($80,000), 3-16, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:43.21, ft, 6 1/2 length.
After wrapping up her 2021 campaign with a close-up fourth place and a 102 Beyer Speed figure in the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Nov. CLAIRIERE (f, 4, Curlin–Cavorting {MGISW, $2,063,000}, by Bernardini) no problem getting back on track in a Optional allowance at Fair Grounds, only for the second time in her 11-race career she hasn’t entered a Class I or Class II race. Intern Steve Asmussen arrived early last, encroaching wide and winning easily under a near-motionless ride Joel Rosario despised her misguided switch and got embroiled. If the effort is a sign of her campaign coming, Clairiere will be a force to be reckoned with in 2022.
The Stonestreet hybrid — which won the GI Cotillion S. and GII Rachel Alexandra S., as well as across the board in five other classified events — received 96 Beyer for the race, the same number for the debut year. 2022 by division leaders Letruska (Super Saver) and As Time Goes By (American pharoah). Both Clairiere and Letruska, who have been named the older female Eclipse champions for 2021, are both targeting the $1 million GI Apple Blossom S., scheduled for April 23. at Oaklawn.
Clairiere was the first pony for Cavorting, a $360,000 weaning purchase for Stonestreet at the Keeneland sale in November 2012. She won the GI Test S. 2015, GI Ogden Phipps S. 2016 and GI Personal Ensign S. 2016, as well as three Level II events. Cavorting’s fifth dam is Goofed (Court Martial {GB}), who is best known as the Lyphard (Northern Dancer) dam. Click to view Equibase.com chart or VIDEO sponsored by TVG.
Details of Saturday: Pletcher reveals pair Curlin Colts
9-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 3-19, 3yo, 1m, 1:35.48, ft, 4 3/4 length.
Have we ever seen a Hall of Fame coach nominate a pair of nominees, only to have them both go home longer than the winner? Such was the case with Todd Pletcher’s BRIGHT FUTURE (c, 3, Curlin–Sophia’s Song {SW & GSP, $155,892}, by Bellamy Road) Saturday. Both the future is bright and Gasoline (Curlin) are starting their careers, with Gasoline setting the pace until being picked up by his steady co-worker, who won in a visually impressive performance. Gasoline – the first pony in 2016 to win the GI Frizette S. Onyx (Gem House) – holds third place.
Bright Future is one of 15 aspirational ponies purchased in partnership between Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable at its September 2020 sale in Keeneland, excluding the $1.2 million colt with other partners. Four out of 15 or five out of 16, if including the $1.2 million pony, who has yet to be named – is by Curlinwith Bright Future as the second part from the end Curlin bought for $350,000.
Another debut in the field is by Bill Mott Double threat (Into Mischief), a hybrid of George Krikorian, who had trouble getting started. Mott is not known to be able to kickstart his first-timers, so it’s safe to say he’ll likely benefit from the experience. Click to view Equibase.com chart or VIDEO sponsored by TVG.
