Oct 2, 2015 8:41:31 GMT -5
S u N f r O s T ~ and Cruisey like this
Post by Ripley on Oct 2, 2015 8:41:31 GMT -5
It wasn't a banner week for Witch Creek in December Week One, but some noteworthy news came out of the stable's camp.
Enrapture finished third behind top fillies, All That Jazz and Hellfire, in the eight furlong Jean Lafitte Stakes. She is still being pointed for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Rumor has it the tawny filly is on her way to a Triple Crown campaign next year now that Uno Momento is heading to Intrepid Racing Stable for Year Sixteen. Those are some big goals for a filly that only has four lifetime wins. "Don't worry about how she gets there," Ripley said. "She'll be there. This one's only going to get better the further she goes."
Flashpoint is another who is heading for longer distances. The half-brother to Hall Of Fame mare Paranormal Hunter cut back in distance for the mile long Caracortado Stakes at The Wire. He finished second behind Valkyrie's Mourning Passion. He was originally supposed to be retired after the race, but Marsh is redirecting the stallion to the biggest race of his career. "He's heading to the Classic with In Front. I really hate doubling up entries, but I can't split them. In Front and Flashpoint are two of the top handicap horses in the country. To leave either of them out of a race in which they could win, would be unfair to their legacies."
Witch Creek made headlines this past week in the Red and Green Mile Series at The Wire. While Spotlight Pride did not win the The Wire Green Mile, he did lock up The Green Mile Championship with his second place finish behind Impress The Moonlight. The chestnut colt won major races out of the series and had enough points to beat out Trinity for that honor.
With Spotlight Pride's loss, Sun King locked up the Overall Miler Champion award. He is both the Red Mile Champion and Overall Champion. For the second year in a row, Witch Creek has locked down the series. Last year, the stable did it with Hall Of Famer Paranormal Hunter and the classy mare Supernatural. Both Sun King and Spotlight Pride are heading for the Breeders' Cup in three weeks and are looking to reassert themselves as the top horses at a mile.
One horse that won't be heading to the Breeders' Cup is the handsome son of FS Dead Letter, Divided Notion. The powerful blazed faced horse has had his best season to date with three Horse of the Year victories in Year Fifteen. He won the Mid-Afternoon Derby [7F], Man O' War Stakes [9F] and the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic [9F]. He finished third behind Turf Sprinting Crown champion Call Me Crooked and In The Spotlight in the Fall Highweight Handicap. "He's a terrific stud prospect. In my opinion, he's the best stud middle -distance prospect retiring this year. He's proven himself at the highest level. He has rare lines and he is an physically exceptional individual. I am so proud to co-own and retire this horse to Intrepid Racing Stable. We're planning on sending Paranormal Hunter and our other Hall Of Fame mare, Cross My Heart, to him down the line that is how much we love this horse."
Divided Notion will be available for inspection, along with In Front, at Intrepid Racing Stable after December Week Four.
