Mar 25, 2016 19:22:19 GMT -5
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Post by Kenren on Mar 25, 2016 19:22:19 GMT -5
Valkyrie trainer Cole Mavecci on upcoming Triple Classics
Valkyrie Stables had some bold beginners luck their first year of racing in the big three-year-old classics - with Mourning Passion taking the Kentucky Derby, National Treasure the Cotillion Stakes, and Dare To Impress a near misser in the Turf Triple Crown, the bar was set high for the blooming stable. The pressure was shown after a layoff come Y15, when the stable garnered only the Prince of Wales Stakes and one Red Mile race despite a number of entrants. Given their bold run of seconditis last year, we were eager to see how they are approaching the current year's Triple races.
Mr Mavecci took the time to sit down with us and give us some valuable information concerning their upcoming entries.
Q: Last year your plan was to send Wyvern to the Kentucky Derby. In spite of his recent performance, are you still going to send him?
CM: No, it's practically how it looks. Wyvern hit grade three as a juvenile, but he's been somewhat lackluster so far this year. We're hoping to have him to form for the Belmont, because he's much better than his recent results suggest.
Q: So you aren't going to have any entries for the Derby or the Preakness?
CM: Not quite. The Preakness will likely be skipped, but Monarch's Journey has been a surprise this year and we'll likely try him in the Derby. He's had incredible success this year, and if he does well in his next few races, we truly believe he's got everything it takes to run a fantastic race. We've had luck in the past with Mourning Passion going a very similar route, and Arch is just as tenacious.
Q: Early on there were reports that Santana's Legend would be facing the boys in the Turf Triple Crown like Dare To Impress, but her only win this year has come in a Tiara prep. Is that a new direction for her?
CM: I don't want to take away from her record this year by only highlighting her win - her third places came against top competition, and some in large fields. However, as of now it looks like the Tiara division puts her at more of an advantage, and I want to set her up for success. There's no doubt to me that she'll shine in the filly races.
Q: We haven't seen much of Aphrodite's Chant this year. Are you going to bypass the Triple Tiara with her?
CM: No. She needed the rest, and it's evident from her results that it hasn't hurt her in the least. She's likely going to continue campaigning at The Wire unless another opportunity presents itself, but she's definitely coming strong and swinging at the Tiara.
Q: Those are the closest races, but would you like to give us a peek at what might be coming down the road? Do you have ideas for who will run in the other Triples and series?
CM: It's too early to tell for some of them, of course. But Luminous Wave looks like she'll shape up for either the dirt or turf sprinter tiara. Optical Illusion will go to the turf triple crown, and we'll hope for more success than we had last year with Phantasm Frost. Not that he did badly, coming in second all three times to a triple crown winner, but it's always nice to be in the Winner's Circle. Other than that, we'll just have to see. There's a lot of year left and a lot of unexpected results likely to come, so our plans down the road aren't set in stone at all.
And there you have it! Watch out for the Valkyrie contenders, because if anyone knows how to campaign an underdog, it's this team. Best of luck to everyone in April!
Mr Mavecci took the time to sit down with us and give us some valuable information concerning their upcoming entries.
Q: Last year your plan was to send Wyvern to the Kentucky Derby. In spite of his recent performance, are you still going to send him?
CM: No, it's practically how it looks. Wyvern hit grade three as a juvenile, but he's been somewhat lackluster so far this year. We're hoping to have him to form for the Belmont, because he's much better than his recent results suggest.
Q: So you aren't going to have any entries for the Derby or the Preakness?
CM: Not quite. The Preakness will likely be skipped, but Monarch's Journey has been a surprise this year and we'll likely try him in the Derby. He's had incredible success this year, and if he does well in his next few races, we truly believe he's got everything it takes to run a fantastic race. We've had luck in the past with Mourning Passion going a very similar route, and Arch is just as tenacious.
Q: Early on there were reports that Santana's Legend would be facing the boys in the Turf Triple Crown like Dare To Impress, but her only win this year has come in a Tiara prep. Is that a new direction for her?
CM: I don't want to take away from her record this year by only highlighting her win - her third places came against top competition, and some in large fields. However, as of now it looks like the Tiara division puts her at more of an advantage, and I want to set her up for success. There's no doubt to me that she'll shine in the filly races.
Q: We haven't seen much of Aphrodite's Chant this year. Are you going to bypass the Triple Tiara with her?
CM: No. She needed the rest, and it's evident from her results that it hasn't hurt her in the least. She's likely going to continue campaigning at The Wire unless another opportunity presents itself, but she's definitely coming strong and swinging at the Tiara.
Q: Those are the closest races, but would you like to give us a peek at what might be coming down the road? Do you have ideas for who will run in the other Triples and series?
CM: It's too early to tell for some of them, of course. But Luminous Wave looks like she'll shape up for either the dirt or turf sprinter tiara. Optical Illusion will go to the turf triple crown, and we'll hope for more success than we had last year with Phantasm Frost. Not that he did badly, coming in second all three times to a triple crown winner, but it's always nice to be in the Winner's Circle. Other than that, we'll just have to see. There's a lot of year left and a lot of unexpected results likely to come, so our plans down the road aren't set in stone at all.
And there you have it! Watch out for the Valkyrie contenders, because if anyone knows how to campaign an underdog, it's this team. Best of luck to everyone in April!
(C) ELLIE @ GANGNAM STYLE
