Post-Race Analysis:
Far Hills, NJ – October 23, 2004: Defending champion McDynamo,
returning from an 11-month layoff, became just the second horse
in history to win back-to-back runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase
when he rebuffed all challengers in the $175,000 Grade I stakes.
The seven-year-old son of Dynaformer did not duplicate his stunning
15¼-length win from last year’s race, but he did hold Hirapour (Ire)
clear by 1 1/2 lengths through an exciting stretch run to complete
the 2 5/8ths-mile course that included 14 fences in 5:06.8, well
off the track record of 4:53.8 established by All Gong (GB) in 2000.
Sur La Tete finished third only a half-length behind Hirapour.
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McDynamo defeating Hirapour (center)
and Sur La Tete at the finish of the Breeders'Cup Steeplechase.
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The race began with Tres Touche boldly setting the pace. Flat Top,
the 11-year-old former champion who was making his first start in
two years, stalked Tres Touche while jockey Craig Thornton had McDynamo
under stout restraint in third. McDynamo began to lengthen his stride
midway down the backstretch, the last time, and jumped his way to
the lead at the 12th fence. Hirapour made a bold move around the
final turn and inched his way to the lead for a few strides, but
Thornton simply lowered his hands on McDynamo, and the big bay quickly
reassumed the lead.
"I just let out a notch to give my arms a rest when Hirapour came
to me" said Thornton was flown in from New Zealand for the race.
"He (McDynamo) was dragging me the whole way. He had to dig a little
deep after the last fence, but he hadn’t run in so long that I think
he’ll improve off that run," said Thornton. "My horse just jumped
past them on the backside. He can hear the other horses and quickens
on his own. He’s got so much confidence in his ability. He’s a monster
and he knows it."
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McDynamo leads Hirapour and Sur La Tete
(right) at the last fence of the Grade I Breeders' Cup Steeplechase.
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"He's certainly the best horse I've been around," said winning
trainer Sanna Hendriks. "That was a serious field of horses. I thought
if he was going to get beat, it was today, coming off the 11-month
layoff."
Michael Moran's McDynamo has now won six races in a row and is
undefeated in four career starts over the Far Hills course. He has
won nine of 11 career starts over hurdles, including the 2003 Royal
Chase for the Sport of Kings Hurdle, 2002 Hard Scuffle Hurdle Stakes,
and the 2002 AFLAC U.S. Championship Supreme Hurdle. The $96,250
winner’s share of the purse elevated his steeplechase earnings to
$562,679. Overall, he has won 11 of 20 career starts and earned
$607,569 - fifth on the all-time list. Bred in Kentucky by Richard
and Nathan Fox and Richard Kaster, McDynamo is out of the Monteverdi
(Ire) mare Rondonia. He is a full brother to Grade III winner Old
Chapel.
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Tres Touche leads (left-to-right) Sur
La Tete, Flat Top and McDynamo at the ninth fence of the Breeders'
Cup Steeplechase.
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The victory enabled Mc Dynamo to join English champion Morley Street
as the only two horses to have captured back-to-back runnings of
the Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase. Morley street accomplished his feat
in 1990, when the race was contested at Belmont Park in New York,
and in 1991, when it was run at Fair Hill, Maryland. The only other
horse to win two editions of the Breeders' Cup Steeplechase was
Highland Bud in 1989 (at Far Hills) and 1992 (at Belmont Park).
Future plans call for McDynamo to defend his Eclipse award title
in the $100,000 Grade I Colonial Cup in Camden, South Carolina,
on November 21st.
Eldon Farm's Hirapour, winner of the $150,000 Grade I Royal Chase
at Keeneland Race Course on April 16, was unhurried early, steadily
advanced at the ninth fence, loomed boldly from outside entering
the stretch and finished well but couldn't overtake McDynamo. The
8-year-old son of Kahyasi (Ire), was ridden by Robert Massey and
is trained by Doug Fout.
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Tres Touche jumped out to an early lead
at the 4th fence, followed by Flat Top (center) and McDynamo.
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Kinross Farm's Sur La Tete, who won two thirds of this year's Steeplechase
Triple Crown as well as the Grade II Metcalfe Memorial Hurdle Stakes
at Monmouth Park in his first start against open company, was unhurried
early, moved up at the eleventh fence, lodged a bid outside the
winner on the final turn and stayed on well to just miss finishing
second. The 6-year-old son of Sky Classic is trained by Neil Morris
and was ridden by Chris Read.
Barracuda Stable's Tres Touche led until the middle fence on the
back stretch when McDynamo took over. The 7-year-old son of Poles
Apart tired to finish fourth, but remains the only steeplechaser
to have won two Grade I races this year. He is trained by Ricky
Hendriks and was ridden by David Bentley.
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McDynamo and jockey Craig Thornton after
wining the Breeders' Cup Steeplechase for the second year
in a row.
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Kay Devlin's Ansar (Ire) was flown over from Ireland for the race
by trainer Dermot Weld. The 8-year-old son of Kahyasi (Ire) who,
like Hirapour, was bred by the Aga Khan, failed to distinguish himself
in his American debut as he raced in mid pack before finishing a
dull fifth under Irish jockey David Casey.
Michael Hoffman's Pelagos (Fr) failed to duplicate last year's
form when he finished second in this race, as the 9-year-old son
of Exit To Nowhere raced near the back of the pack throughout and
reported home sixth. Pelagos is trained by F. Bruce Miller and was
ridden by his son, Chip Miller.
Mr. Edward H. Gerry's former champion and 2002 Breeders' Cup Steeplechase
winner Flat Top pressed the pace for two circuits of the course
before tiring and eventually being pulled up. The 11-year-old son
of former French champion Alleged is trained by Janet Elliot and
was ridden by Robert Massey.
The complete order of finish for the Breeders' Cup Steeplechase
is set forth below.
Results:
|
FP
|
Horse
|
lbs
|
Jockey
|
Trainer
|
Owner
|
|
1
|
McDynamo |
156 |
Thornton |
Sanna Hendriks |
Michael Moran |
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2
|
Hirapour (Ire) |
156 |
McCarron |
Doug Fout |
Eldon Farm |
|
3
|
Sur La Tete |
156 |
Reed |
Neil Morris |
Kinross Farm |
|
4
|
Tres Touche |
156 |
Bentley |
Ricky Hendriks |
Barracuda Stable |
|
5
|
Ansar (Ire) |
156 |
Casey |
Dermot Weld |
Kay Devlin |
|
6
|
Pelagos (Fr) |
156 |
C. Miller |
F. Bruce Miller |
Michael Hoffman |
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PU
|
Flat Top |
156 |
Massey |
Janet Elliot |
Mrs. Edward H. Gerry |
|
Scr
|
Preemptive Strike |
156 |
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Paul Rowland |
Polaris Stable |
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Scr
|
Popular Gigalo |
156 |
|
F. Bruce Miller |
Clorevia Farm |
Final time: 5:06.80
| Winner: |
McDynamo - Bay Gelding, April 06, 1997
Bred by Richard Fox, Nathan Fox & Richard Kaster in KY |
| Pedigree: |
Dynaformer - Rondonia , by Monteverdi (IRE)
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MCDYNAMO settled in the middle
of the pack, gained control at the twelve fence, set the pace
in hand to midstretch and prevailed under steady right hand
encouragement. HIRAPOUR (IRE) was unhurried early, steadily
advanced at the ninth fence, loomed boldly from outside entering
the stretch and finished well but couldn't overtake the winner.
SUR LA TETE was unhurried early, moved up at the eleventh
fence, lodged a bid outside the winner on the final turn and
lacked a strong closing response. TRES TOUCHE set the pace
along the inside to the 12th fence and tired. ANSAR (IRE)
raced in the middle of the pack and lacked a rally. PELAGOS
(FR) never reached contention while saving ground. FLAT TOP
stalked the pace for ten fences then gave way and was pulled
up.
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back to top
Pedigree of Winner:
to follow.....
Pedigrees compliments of Thoroughbred
Pedigree Query
Previous Winners:
| YEAR |
FIRST (Age) |
JOCKEY |
lbs. |
SECOND (Age) |
lbs. |
THIRD (Age) |
lbs. |
| 2003 |
McDynamo (6) |
Thornton |
156 |
Pelagos (FR) (8) |
156 |
Mullahen |
156 |
| 2002 |
Flat Top (9) |
Massey |
156 |
Tres Touche (5) |
156 |
All Gong (GB) (8) |
156 |
| 2001 |
Quel Senor (Fr) (6) |
Murphy |
156 |
Lord Zada (8) |
156 |
Praise The Prince (6) |
156 |
| 2000 |
All Gong (GB) (6) |
B. Miller |
156 |
Popular Gigalo (6) |
156 |
Allgrit (5) |
156 |
| 1993 |
Lonesome Glory (5) |
B. Miller |
156 |
Highland Bud (8) |
156 |
Mistico (7) |
156 |
| 1992 |
Highland Bud (7) |
Dunwoody |
156 |
Mistico (6) |
156 |
Sassello (5) |
156 |
| 1991 |
Morley Street (7) |
Frost |
156 |
Declare Your Wish (5) |
156 |
Cheering News (4) |
146 |
| 1990 |
Morley Street (6) |
Frost |
156 |
Summer Colony (7) |
156 |
Moonstruck (7) |
156 |
| 1989 |
Highland Bud (4) |
Dunwoody |
146 |
Polar Pleasure (7) |
156 |
Victorian Hill (4) |
146 |
| 1988 |
Jimmy Lorenzo (6) |
McCourt |
156 |
Kalankoe (7) |
153 |
Polar Pleasure (6) |
156 |
| 1987 |
Gacko (6) |
Duchene |
156 |
Inlander (6) |
156 |
Gateshead (8) |
156 |
| 1986 |
Census (8) |
Teter |
156 |
Kesslin (6) |
156 |
Pont du Loup (6) |
156 |
First run in 1986 at a distance of 2 3/8ths miles.
Run at Fair Hill, MD 1986-1988.; Far Hills, NJ 1989 and 2000; Belmont
Park, NY 1990, 1992 and 1993. Not run 1994-1999.
Post-Race Analysis | Results
| Pedigree of Winner | Previous
Winners
