Post-Race Analysis:
April 25, 203 - Lexington, Kentucky: McDynamo passed his first
test against open company with flying colors, romping to a 7 1/2
length victory in the $150,000 Grade I Royal Chase at Keeneland.
After being crowned the National Steeplechase Association's champion
novice hurdler last year, McDynamo dominated seven of his more experienced
rivals in his first stakes start outside of the novice ranks. Shamrock
Isle ran a big race to finish second, 5 lengths ahead of Praise
The Prince. All Gong (GB) faded to finish fourth in what turned
out to be the last race of his career.
|
|
|
McDynamo (right) trailed Praise The Prince
at the eighth fence of the Royal Chase. Ted Cushny photo.
|
Al Skywalker set the early pace in the race, having things his
own way on the front-end as the anticipated speed dual with Anofferucantrefuse
never materialized. Nevertheless, Al Skywalker was never able to
establish a commanding lead as he did en route to victory in the
Grade I Carolina Cup. McDynamo was content to bide his time in the
back of the pack early, as All Gong (GB), Shamrock Isle and Anofferucantrefuse
tracked the leader for the first two miles. Shamrock Isle challenged
Shamrock Isle first, coming up along his outside around the final
turn. Shamrock Isle took control as the field straightened away
for the final two fences in the stretch, but could not repel the
advance of McDynamo, who came widest of all around the final turn.
That pair jumped the penultimate fence together, but then McDynamo
started to pull clear, as he jumped the last alone and continued
to improve his position on the run-in. The final time for the 2
1/2 mile race run over 13 fences was 4:44.37, almost 10 full seconds
slower than the track record of 4:34.40 established by Pompeyo (Chi)
in 2001.
Owned by Michael J. Moran, McDynamo was making his 2003 debut after
being crowned champion novice of 2002. He bankrolled $199,404 last
year while winning four of his six starts, including the Grade I
Hard Scuffle and a pair of Grade II stakes races. The 6-year-old
son of Dynaformer (by Roberto) tuned up for the Royal Chase by winning
a 1 1/2-mile training race at Colonial Downs on April 12th. He went
to the head of the class today, winning steeplechasing's richest
race of the spring season. McDynamo is trained by Sanna N. Hendriks
and was ridden by New Zealand-based jockey Craig Thornton, who was
flown in for the ride.
|
|
|
McDynamo, shown here last fall, passed
his first test against open company with flying colors.
|
"I had my hands full early in the race, and was just trying to
get him to relax and breath, relax and breath," Thornton told the
NSA. "I try not to fight him, I just try to get him to go along
smoothly. I had a pretty good feeling with a turn to go. I flew
in from New Zealand just to ride this horse. He is a very special
horse - worth making the trip for. He is a lot more mature than
he was last year. He's done very well coming from novice to this
company in such a short time, and he's still learning really.
Mrs. F. Eugene Dixon Jr.'s Shamrock Isle ran a huge race to hit
the board in a Grade I race for the first time in his career. The
8-year-old son of Allen's Prospect (by Mr. Prospector) won the Grade
III Atlanta Cup on April 12th. He is trained by Jack Fisher, this
year's leading steeplechase trainer, and was ridden by two-time
former champion steeplechase jockey Gus Brown.
|
|
|
Shamrock Isle ran his second strong race
in a row to finish second in the Royal Chase.
|
Augustin Stable's Praise The Prince, who was installed as the 9-5
morning line favorite but was more realistically dispatched as the
4-1 second choice, battled All Gong head-and-head through the run-in
before prevailing over his older rival by a neck. Praise The Prince
is a multiple stakes winner with $386,342 in career steeplechase
earnings. The New Zealand-bred son of Prince of Praise (NZ) (by
Crossways (GB)) won two-thirds of the Steeplechase Triple Crown
in 2001 and led all steeplechasers in earnings that season. Last
year Praise The Prince had an abbreviated season: he won the Grade
III Temple Gwathmey and finished second in the Grade I Iroquois
before going to the sidelines with a minor ankle injury in May.
He is trained by Sanna N. Hendriks and was ridden for the first
time by last year's champion steeplechase jockey David Bentley.
Michael Watt's Al Skywalker came into the Royal Chase with a perfect
2-for-2 record. He took up his customary front-running position
in the Royal Chase but seemed to lose interest after he was passed
by Shamrock Isle at the top of the stretch. The 10-year-old son
of Skywalker (by Relaunch) won this year's Carolina Cup in his last
start, and finished second to It's A Giggle in the last year's edition
of the Royal Chase. He has racked up $387,456 in career steeplechase
earnings. The California-bred is trained by Jennifer Majette and
was ridden by Tom Foley.
|
|
|
Al Skywalker and jockey Tom Foley were
2-for-2 this year before finishing fifth in the Royal Chase.
|
2000 steeplechase champion All Gong (GB) tracked Al Skywalker through
the early stages of the race and was third for much of the stretch
run until he was hooked by Praise The Prince after the last fence.
All Gong battled back valiantly but succumed to Praise The Prince
in the final strides and then collapsed of a heart attack as he
was pulled-up. Trained through-out his career by F. Bruce Miller,
the 9-year-old former champion was ridden in his last race by Robert
Massey. The old veteran will be widely missed.
|
|
|
All Gong leads (left-to-right) Anofferucantrefuse,
Turkish Corner (partially obscured) Shamrock Isle and Praise
The Prince at the third fence of the Royal Chase. Ted
Cushny photo.
|
Coopertree Farm's Quel Senor (Fr), failed to finish the Royal Chase
for the second year in a row and is still searching for his first
trip to the winner's circle after winning the 2001 Breeders' Cup
Steeplechase. The 8-year-old son of Tel Quel (Fr) (by Akarad (Fr))
failed to sufficiently clear the 10th fence and stumbled upon landing,
unseating his rider, Cyril Murphy.
Fox Ridge Farm's Anofferucantrefuse, who defeated McDynamo two
of the three times they met last year, was reserved off the early
pace of the Royal Chase in a change of tactics. The 6-year-old son
of Red Ransom (by Roberto) was pulled-up before the 11th of 13 fences
by former champion steeplechase jockey Arch Kingsley, Jr.
|
|
|
Michael J. Moran, shown here with his
wife Anne, a successful amateur steeplechase jockey, owns
McDynamo.
|
Mrs. Walter M. Jefford's Turkish Corner was pulled up Robbie Walsh
after he was distanced in the stretch. The 7-year-old son of Turkoman
(by Alydar) hasn't won a race in over two years. He is trained by
F. Bruce Miller.
NOTES: The race lost a major contender when Flat Top went to the
sidelines with a tendon injury. The 2002 steeplechase champion was
injured in a final workout last week. This was the first time since
its inception in 1998 that the Royal Chase did not have a starter
saddled by Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard.
The complete order of finish for the Royal Chase is set forth below.
Click here for Daily Racing Form Past Performance
Charts for the Royal Chase!
Past performance charts are provided by the Daily
Racing Form.
Click here
to play the Steeplestakes.com Spring 2003 Handicapping Contest.
Results:
|
FP
|
Horse
|
lbs
|
Jockey
|
Trainer
|
Owner
|
|
1
|
McDynamo |
158 |
Thornton |
Sanna N. Hendriks |
Michael Moran |
|
2
|
Shamrock Isle |
158 |
Brown |
Jack Fisher |
Mrs. F.E. Dixon, Jr. |
|
3
|
Praise The Prince |
158 |
Bentley |
Sanna N. Hendriks |
Augustin Stable |
|
4
|
All Gong (GB) |
158 |
Massey |
F. Bruce Miller |
Calvin Houghland |
|
5
|
Al Skywalker |
158 |
Foley |
Jennifer Majette |
Michael Watt |
|
PU
|
Turkish Corner |
158 |
Walsh |
F. Bruce Miller |
Mrs. Walter M. Jrffords |
|
PU
|
Anofferucantrefuse |
158 |
Kingsley |
Thomas H. Voss |
Fox Ridge Farm |
|
LR
|
Quel Senor (Fr) |
158 |
Murphy |
Thomas H. Voss |
Coppertree Farm |
| Winner: |
McDynamo - Bay Gelding, April 06, 1997
Bred by Richard Fox, Nathan Fox & Richard Kaster in KY |
| Pedigree: |
Dynaformer - Rondonia , by Monteverdi (IRE)
|
| Pgm |
Horse |
Win |
Place |
Show |
Total WPS
Pool: $225,958 |
| 1 |
McDynamo |
11.20 |
5.40 |
4.80 |
|
| 3 |
Shamrock Isle |
|
7.20 |
5.60 |
|
| 4 |
Praise the Prince (NZ) |
|
|
3.80 |
|
| Wager Type |
Winning Numbers |
Payoff |
Pool |
Carryover |
| $2 Pick 3 |
2-1-1 |
1,585.40 |
26,426 |
|
| $1 Pick 6 |
3-4-8/9-2-1-1 |
8,219.00 |
10,147 |
|
| $2 Exacta |
1-3 |
67.80 |
147,653 |
|
| $2 Quinella |
1-3 |
37.60 |
8,413 |
|
| $2 Superfecta |
1-3-4-5 |
1,365.40 |
39,618 |
|
| $2 Trifecta |
1-3-4 |
216.40 |
136,906 |
|
| Pgm |
Comment |
| 1 |
McDynamo: settled behind foes,sweeping 6w
run into lane,drew off,driving |
| 3 |
Shamrock Isle: well placed,brushed 1/4p,bid,brief,slim
lead, 2ndbest,vanned off |
| 4 |
Praise the Prince (NZ): near inside,improved
position,no threat |
| 5 |
All Gong (GB): chased pace to stretch, 4w,tired,
collapsed after pulling up |
| 8 |
Al Skywalker: rushed off to sizeable lead,
brush 1/4p,faded in drive |
| 7 |
Turkish Corner: raced in contention 4w to
lane,gave way,distanced |
| 6 |
Anofferucantrefuse: left course, pulled up
just before 11th fence |
| 2 |
Quel Senor (FR): landed badly over 10th fence,
lost rider |
| Footnotes
|
|
MCDYNAMO, reserved soon after
the start, raced in behind horses, came out on the final turn
to commence a sweeping six wide rally, took over in the upper
stretch, then drew off under hand urging as much the best.
SHAMROCK ISLE, never far back while rated along near the inside,
moved four wide nearing the final quarter, brushed lightly
with AL SKYWALKER, gained a slight, brief lead entering the
stretch, then wasn't a match for the winner in the drive while
clearly superior to the others. After pulling up, SHAMROCK
ISLE was vanned off. PRAISE THE PRINCE (NZ) raced near the
inside in contention to the stretch, improved position but
couldn't menace the top two. ALL GONG (GB) chased front-running
AL SKYWALER from the beginning while four wide, raced forwardly
to the stretch and faltered. After being pulled up, ALL GONG
(GB) collapsed. AL SKYWALKER came away from the flag running,
quickly opened a comfortable advantage, made the pace until
near the stretch, was lightly brushed by SHAMROCK ISLE and
faded. TURKISH CORNER, in contention five wide until approaching
the stretch, gave way, wasn't persevered with in the drive
and was distanced. ANOFFERUCANTREFUSE left the course and
was pulled up just prior to the 11th fence. QUEL SENOR (FR)
landed badly clearing the 10th fence and unseated the rider.
A foul claim lodged by the rider of AL SKYWALKER against SHAMROCK
ISLE for alleged interference in the stretch was disallowed.
|
| |
back to top
Pedigree of Winner:
MCDYNAMO
1997 |
DYNAFORMER
(USA)*
dkb/br. 1985
30-7-5-2
$671,207 |
ROBERTO
(USA)*
b. 1969 [C]
14-7-3-0
$ 339,902
Article |
HAIL
TO REASON (USA)*
br. 1958 [C]
18-9-2-2
$328,434 |
TURN-TO
(IRE)*
b. 1951 [BI] |
|
ROYAL
CHARGER (GB) |
ch. 1942 [B]* |
9-c |
| SOURCE
SUCREE (FR) |
br. 1940 * |
1-w |
NOTHIRDCHANCE
(USA)
b. 1948 |
BLUE
SWORDS (USA) |
b. 1940 * |
7 |
| GALLA
COLORS (USA) |
b. 1943 |
4-n |
BRAMALEA
(USA)*
dkb/br. 1959
38-8-7-7
$192,396 |
NASHUA
(USA)*
b. 1952 [IC]
Book |
NASRULLAH
(GB) |
b. 1940 [B]* |
9-c |
| SEGULA
(USA) |
dkb/br. 1942 |
3-m |
RARELEA
(USA)
b. 1949 |
BULL
LEA (USA) |
br. 1935 [C]* |
9-f |
| BLEEBOK
(USA) |
br. 1941 * |
12-c |
ANDOVER
WAY (USA)
dkb/br. 1978
18-9-6-2
$372,471 |
HIS
MAJESTY (USA)*
b. 1968 [C]
22-5-6-3
$99,430 |
RIBOT
(ITY)*
b. 1952 [CP] |
TENERANI
(ITY) |
b. 1944 * |
6-d |
| ROMANELLA
(ITY) |
ch. 1943 * |
4-l |
FLOWER
BOWL (USA)**
b. 1952 |
ALIBHAI
(GB) |
ch. 1938 [C]* |
6-d |
| FLOWER
BED (USA) |
dkb/br. 1946 * |
4-d |
ON
THE TRAIL (USA)*
b. 1964
Unraced |
OLYMPIA
(USA)
b. 1946 [B] |
HELIOPOLIS
(GB) |
b. 1936 [B] |
8-g |
| MISS
DOLPHIN (USA) |
ch. 1934 |
4-p |
GOLDEN
TRAIL (USA)*
dkb/br. 1958 |
HASTY
ROAD (USA) |
dkb/br. 1951 * |
3-n |
| SUNNY
VALE (USA) |
br. 1946 |
4-r |
RONDONIA
1984 |
MONTEVERDI
(IRE)
ch. 1977
8-4-2-0
$171,422 |
LYPHARD
(USA)
b. 1969 [C]
12-6-1-0
$202,332 |
NORTHERN
DANCER (CAN)*
b. 1961 [BC]
Book |
NEARCTIC
(CAN) |
br. 1954 * |
14-c |
| NATALMA
(USA) |
b. 1957 * |
2-d |
GOOFED
(USA)
ch. 1960 |
COURT
MARTIAL (GB) |
ch. 1942 [B]* |
1-p |
| BARRA
(FR) |
ch. 1950 |
17-b |
JANINA
(GB)
br. 1965 |
MATCH
(FR)
dkb/br. 1958 |
TANTIEME
(FR) |
b. 1947 [S]* |
20-a |
| RELANCE
(FR) |
ch. 1952 * |
16-h |
JENNIFER
(GB)
b. 1948 |
HYPERION
(GB) |
ch. 1930 [BC]* |
6-e |
| AVENA
(GB) |
b. 1936 |
22-a |
FLYING
CARPET (USA)
b. 1973
4-0-0-0
$0 |
DAMASCUS
(USA)*
b. 1964 [IC]
32-21-7-3
$1,176,781Champion |
SWORD
DANCER (USA)*
ch. 1956 |
SUNGLOW
(USA) |
ch. 1947 |
2-n |
| HIGHLAND
FLING (USA) |
br. 1950 |
1-o |
KERALA
(USA)*
b. 1958 |
MY BABU
(FR) |
b. 1945 [B]* |
1-w |
| BLADE
OF TIME (USA) |
br. 1938 |
8-h |
PIMENTO
DRAM (USA)
b. 1966
24-6-3-1
$46,370 |
CYANE
(USA)*
b. 1959 |
TURN-TO
(IRE) |
|
b. 1951 [BI]* |
1-w |
| YOUR
GAME (USA) |
br. 1948 |
16-b |
RUM
BOTTLE BAY (USA)
b. 1959 |
THINKING
CAP (USA) |
dkb/br. 1952 |
1-a |
| SEA SNACK
(USA) |
b. 1943 |
1-a |
|
|
Pedigrees compliments of Del
Mar Pedigree Query
Previous Winners:
| YEAR |
FIRST (Age) |
JOCKEY |
lbs. |
SECOND (Age) |
lbs. |
THIRD (Age) |
lbs. |
| 2002 |
It's A Giggle (7) |
B. Miller |
158 |
Al Skywalker |
158 |
Flat Top |
158 |
| 2001 |
Pompeyo (Chi) (7) |
Brown |
154 |
All Gong (GB) (7) |
154 |
Rand (NZ) (7) |
154 |
| 2000 |
Flat Top (6) |
B. Miller |
154 |
Campanile (6) |
154 |
Pinkie Swear (6) |
154 |
| 1999 |
Lonesome Glory |
B. Miller |
154 |
Dalton River (11) |
154 |
Master McGrath (12) |
154 |
| 1998 |
Clearance Code (6) |
Petty |
154 |
Master McGrath (11) |
154 |
Cofidente (9) |
154 |
Post-Race Analysis | Results
| Pedigree of Winner | Previous
Winners
