Two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden buddy could return to his roots in his next start, coach Wesley Ward said Aug. 31.
The 4 year antique son of Uncle Mo – who has made 10 of 11 career starts on the pitch – returned to work on Wednesday Keeneland for the first time since his Troy Stakes (G3T) result on August 5th Saratoga Race Track and changed the surface and easily mastered four furlongs in :51 4/5 on the main track under practice driver Julio Garcia.
Golden Pal made his racing debut in the spring of 2020 with a second-place finish in the 4 1/2 furlong sprint on the main track of Gulfstream ParkBut then he shone on the pitch. As a two-year-old, he competed in the 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T) at Keeneland and was successful as a three-year-old, taking wins in the Quick Call Stakes (G3T), the Woodford Stakes Presented by TVG (G3T) and the Woodford Stakes Presented by TVG (G3T). and the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T). sea. While he worked a few times for Ward on the clay, the majority of his work under the coach's care took place on grass or the turf track Turfway Parkwhere he spent the winter last year.
“We wanted to give him a nice, simple training session with Julio Garcia, who has trained him his whole life. Every week we’re going to step it up a little bit,” Ward said. “This one was just to see how he moved over it. Next time we'll bring him into company and take things up from there. He had a stunning job today, just floating down with his ears swinging back and forth. It was really nice to see.
Golden Pal wins the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in Del Mar
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Ward said the Oct. 7 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2) at Keeneland is on the radar for the stallion, who is co-owned by Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. The Phoenix is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series and rewards the winner with an automatic starting place in the Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1).
“His stallion value will raise significantly if he shows an affinity for dirt, so we are leaning in that direction. “We only have one or two starts left with him, so we’re trying to make the right decisions,” Ward said. “Not just for racing, but also for a stallion career. Since (Keeneland) is his home track, he has trained here his entire life. Here they would like to present him in this race. This would be his best chance to show himself. Since he has always trained at this track, he would have his best race there on the dirt.
Decisions about Golden Pal's affiliations still lie ahead as the days count down to his next start, which will reveal whether the colt aims for the Breeders' Cup Sprint or considers a return to the Turf Sprint.
“We would have to see him go in and out, run and all that stuff,” Ward said. “(A decision regarding the Breeders' Cup) will be made after the race. If we decide to go this route or train him for the Turf Sprint, we will spotless up the dirt. If he wins and wins.” Well, in the Phoenix that will tell the story. Basically we just listen to him.
This season, Golden Pal started with a win in the Shakertown Stakes (G2T) on April 9 at Keeneland and then traveled to Ascot Racecourse where he finished 16th in the King's Stand Stakes (G1) on June 14 before his Saratoga rebound . took place.
“He’s a very talented horse; we can send him through the mud, the track, or a plowed field. When they’re that good, sometimes it’s a little dishonest,” Ward said. “As we pick up the pace a little bit and start tackling that work, we'll decide which direction we're going to go to see if he can handle himself on the dirt as well as he does on the grass. Since he's a tremendous talent, that's likely to get mixed up. “The closer we get out here, the closer we get to the direction we're going.
Golden Pal was bred in Florida by Randall Lowe, who marketed the colt under his Ranlo Investments banner during his first four starts before selling him privately to his current contacts. He has earned $1,638,431 in savings with a record of 7-2-0 in 11 starts.
