Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
High-level success in racing stems from many factors. Spending power ranks high on that list.
The combination of Gustavo Delgado Jr., assistant trainer to his father, and bloodstock agent Ramiro Restrepo flexed their new-found financial muscle Saturday when $1.3 million purchase Ferocious made a splash at Saratoga.
The son of Flatter overcame a poor start to run away in a six-furlong contest loaded with other well-bred runners and win by 7 3/4 lengths. Under a confident ride from Javier Castellano, he stopped the timer at 1:09.65 on a muddy, sealed track. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96 from Daily Racing Form, highest for a 2-year-old this season.
Ferocious was the kind of prospect who would have been well beyond the reach of Delgado and Restrepo until they shattered their budget to go to $290,000 for Mage, a 2-year-old in training who went on to win last year’s Kentucky Derby.
Delgado’s father had authorized him to go to $100,000 for Mage, no matter how good-looking the Good Magic colt appeared to be. Their happiness when the hammer fell gave way to a full scramble to find partners to cover the cost.
Mage, of course, far exceeded what they imagined he would become. He emerged as a life-changing horse for the two young men who yearn to be at the top of a very tough game.
“Mage is a gift that keeps on giving,” Restrepo said. “For myself, I can go out and purchase horses that before I could only dream of.”
Ferocious, named by Restrepo, fits that bill. This time, when the bidding escalated beyond their projections, JR Ranch did not hesitate to back them in a big way by joining Restrepo, the Delgados’ OGMA Investments and High Step Racing.
“He’s given me the ability to create partnerships, which is so important,” Restrepo said. “There are several of us in on this horse because of what we did with Mage. People have more confidence to come into partnerships with us and start dancing.”
Ferocious’s bow suggests there might be a whole lot of dancing.
“He’s a real nice horse. Everything he’s done is so easy,” Delgado said. “First time at Saratoga. Everybody brings their best horses over.”
The awkward start and the ground it cost might have doomed a lesser first-time starter. Ferocious recovered immediately.
“He’s so agile that he put him in position right away,” Delgado said. “I don’t think you could ask for a better debut, to be honest.”
At least a couple of huge factors drew them to Ferocious. One was the involvement of Becky Thomas of Sequel Bloodstock, the same consignor who handled Mage. “She had a lot of confidence in him at the sale,” Restrepo said, adding, “His work was something extraordinary and the way he did it.”
They also loved the colt’s demeanor as he attracted major interest. “He was taken out 100-plus times and always acted mature and confident and never lost any weight. He actually put on some good size,” Restrepo said. “When you see a horse thriving in those environments, you say, ‘Maybe he can handle the big stage.’ ”
The youngster continued to be unflappable once he arrived at Gulfstream Park, the Delgados’ home base. “Since the horse has been in the barn, he’s very nice to be around,” Delgado said. “He’s very chill. Anybody could ride him.”
What is next for Ferocious? Delgado called the Grade 1 Hopeful on Sept. 2 a possibility. “At this point, it’s all about him.”
He dared to think as far ahead as next year’s Kentucky Derby. “We wake up every day at 4 o’clock in the morning,” he said. “If we are not Derby dreaming, then what are we doing here?”
Source link : https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Could_Ferocious_be_another_Mage_for_Delgados_Restrepo_123
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Publish date : 2024-08-06 17:32:35
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