Post-Race Analysis:
Camden, South Carolina - November 26, 2005: McDynamo won the 36th
running of the $150,000 Grade I Colonial Cup, going wire-to-wire
and out dueling Hirapour (Ire) after the last fence to prevail by
1 1/2 lengths. It was another 11 lengths back to Erin Go Bragh,
who finished third. The victory should seal the 2005 steeplechase
Eclipse award for McDynamo, who defeated Hirapour two of the three
times they met this year, and edged his rival in total earnings
$265,425 to $255,025. Hirapour's defenders will cite the fact that
both horses won two Grade I races this year, but McDynamo was better
when the title was on the line in the last Grade I steeplechase
race of 2005.
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McDynamo won the Grade I Colonial Cup
defeating Hirapour for the second time this year.
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McDynamo went immediately to the front under jockey Jody Petty
and used his standout jumping efforts to repel numerous challenges
throughout the 2 3/4 course that included 17 natural brush fences.
First it was Hirapour's stablemate, Numitas, who tried to make it
a race early only to tire after seven fences. Next up was Free Admission,
who loomed into contention down the backside the final time but
faltered after matching strides with McDynamo for a period of time.
Then Erin Go Bragh took a shot at McDynamo, ranging up along side
the 2003 champ briefly before throwing in the towel. Finally Hirapour,
who lost ground with a jumping mistake on the backstretch, arrived
on the scene, reaching McDynamo's hip in the stretch drive, only
to be dispatched like the others before him as McDynamo kept finding
more.
"McDynamo is just so honest and up that stretch he did not stop
trying," winning jockey Jody Petty told the NSA after the race.
"He knew Hirapour was coming up and he knew he didn't want to get
beaten by Hirapour. McDynamo wanted it as much as I did, and I really
wanted it."
Petty wrapped up his first 2005 National Steeplechase Association
jockey championship on the day, and paid tribute to his horse's
stout jumping as the difference maker.
"At the third or fourth fence, someone tried to come to me and
I could feel them there," said Petty. "When we landed, they were
nowhere around. I don't know too many horses who can run and jump
like that."
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Hirapour won two Grade I races this year
but was edged in total earnings by McDynamo, $265,425 to $255,025.
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Michael J. Moran's McDynamo is trained by this year's leading steeplechaser
trainer, Sanna N. Hendriks, who had nothing but praise for Hirapour
after the race: "They are two really special horses," Hendriks told
the NSA. "I thought about halfway between the wire and the last
fence he [Hirapour] was going to get us and then our horse just
dug in again and had enough to fight him off. They both tried their
tails off."
The Colonial Cup victory was worth $90,000 for McDynamo, who reached
the Number 2 spot on the career National Steeplechase Association
earnings list with $833,104 lifetime over fences, second only to
Lonesome Glory's $965,809. Bred by Nathan Fox, Richard Fox and Richard
Kaster, McDynamo was an $80,000 Keeneland Sales yearling purchase.
Now 8 years old, the son of Dynaformer won for the 11th time in
18 career starts over jumps.
While the final time of 5:14 2/5ths was almost ten seconds off
the Springdale Race Course record set by Hirapour in last year's
Colonial Cup, this particular race wasn't about speed, it was about
a match up of two steeplechase Giants. The two former Eclipse award
winners (McDynamo captured the title in 2003 while Hirapour won
the Eclipse last year) had spared with each four times prior to
this year's Colonial Cup, with each claiming two Grade I wins: McDynamo
took the 2004 and 2005 editions of the Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase,
while Hirapour claimed victory in last year's Colonial Cup and this
year's Royal Chase.
JUMPING AROUND: Jody Petty finished with 19 wins this season to
claim his first jockey title while two-time defending champion Matt
McCarron, who came into the day just one win behind, settled for
five seconds in as many rides . . . Other 2005 champions are Sanna
Hendriks (trainer), Augustin Stable (owner), Miles Ahead (timber
horse), Guelph (novice hurdler and filly/mare hurdler) and Ginz
(3-year-old hurdler) . . . Apprentice rider James Slater won two
of the six steeplechase races on the card . . . The Colonial Cup
was the first U.S. steeplechase to carry a $100,000 purse when it
was created in 1970 and has been won by 14 champions . . . Graded
stakes winners Preemptive Strike and Sur La Tete were both forced
to pass this year's Colonial Cup after battling foot problems this
fall.
Edited from NSA press release
The complete order of finish for the Colonial Cup is set forth
below.
Results:
|
FP
|
Horse
|
lbs
|
Jockey
|
Trainer
|
Owner
|
|
1
|
McDynamo |
156 |
Petty |
Sanna N. Hendriks |
Michael J. Moran |
|
2
|
Hirapour (Ire) |
156 |
McCarron |
Doug Fout |
Eldon Farm Racing Stable |
|
3
|
Erin Go Bragh (NZ) |
156 |
Z. Miller |
Doug Fout |
Brigadoon Stable |
|
4
|
Free Admission |
156 |
Hodsdon |
Jonathan Sheppard |
William L. Pape |
|
5
|
Mon Villez (Fr) |
156 |
C. Miller |
F. Bruce Miller |
Calvin Houghland |
|
6
|
Niello |
156 |
Dalton |
William B. Cocks |
Mrs. Lewis C. Murdock |
|
7
|
Blasphemous |
156 |
Gillam |
Jeremy Gillam |
Jeremy Gillam |
|
PU
|
Cherokeeinthehills |
156 |
Boucher |
Jonathan Sheppard |
Marilyn Ketts |
|
PU
|
Numitas (Ger) |
156 |
Walsh |
Doug Fout |
Eldon Farm |
MCDYNAMO was away quickly to take the early lead, pressed early
by MON VILLEZ (FR), met the challenge from that one to lead throughout,
battled with HIRAPOUR (IRE) in the lane and prevailed. HIRAPOUR
(IRE) rated in the early stages, advanced steadily for a mile, came
with a late charge to battle with the winner in the lane and was
outfinished as second best. ERIN GO BRAGH (NZ) raced near mid pack,
moved into striking position near the midway point, then faded nearing
the lane. FREE ADMISSION well placed in the early stages, was up
to press near the midway point then tired. MON VILLEZ (FR) was up
to press the leader in the opening half, shuffled back shortly thereafter
and had no rally. NIELLO was off a bit slow to be placed towards
the rear and passed tiring foes. BLASPHEMOUS raced evenly then lacked
a bid. CHEROKEEINTHEHILLS was outrun and pulled up. NUMITAS (GER)
pressed early and pulled up after the seventh fence.
back to top
Pedigree of Winner:
Click
here for McDynamo's 5-cross pedigree.
Pedigrees compliments of Thoroughbred
Pedigree Query
Previous Winners:
| YEAR |
FIRST (Age) |
JOCKEY |
lbs. |
SECOND (Age) |
lbs. |
THIRD (Age) |
lbs. |
| 2004 |
Hirapour (Ire) (8) |
McCarron |
156 |
Preemptive Strike (7) |
156 |
Sur La Tete (7) |
156 |
| 2003 |
McDynamo (6) |
Thornton |
156 |
Lord Zada (10) |
156 |
Pelagos (Fr) (8) |
156 |
| 2002 |
Flat Top (9) |
Massey |
156 |
Tres Touche (5) |
156 |
All Gong (GB) (8) |
156 |
| 2001 |
Lord Zada (8) |
Brown |
156 |
All Gong (GB) (7) |
156 |
Al Skywalker (8) |
156 |
| 2000 |
Romantic (8) |
Kingsley |
156 |
Campanile (6) |
156 |
All Gong (GB) (6) |
156 |
| 1999 |
Ninepins (12) |
Kingsley |
156 |
Muscle Car (5) |
156 |
Campanile (5) |
156 |
| 1998 |
Flat Top (5) |
Ryan |
156 |
Romantic (6) |
156 |
Dictador (8) |
156 |
Post-Race Analysis | Results
| Pedigree of Winner | Previous
Winners
