Owner Maggie Seidman of Seidman Stables expressed a sense of pride in New York-bred Bold Journey, who will seek to build on his good pedigree when making his open company debut in Saturday's Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham at Aqueduct Racetrack.
The Gotham, a one-turn mile for sophomores, offers 50-20-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers.
By Hard Spun and out of the Super Saver mare Polly Freeze, Bold Journey is a half-brother to Grade 1-winner Americanrevolution. Both horses were bred in the Empire State by Fred W. Hertrich III and John D. Fielding,
Seidman was the standalone owner of Bold Journey when he was second in his Nov. 19 debut for trainer Carlos Martin. Following this effort, Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber and Team Penney Racing purchased majority interest of the colt, who was transferred to the stable of Hall of Famer Bill Mott.
Bold Journey wowed in his second start, defeating his New York-bred counterparts by 6 3/4 lengths sprinting six furlongs on Dec. 18 at Aqueduct.
Bold Journey enters the Gotham off a second-place finish as the favorite in the one-mile Gander on Feb. 12, where he held a four-length lead in deep stretch but gave way to a late charging Barese.
“He's still young and learning. That was his first time at a mile and only his third race,” Seidman said. “Carlos Martin had him in the beginning and loved him. The partners seem confident with his talent and that he'll continue to move forward. He did really well in his second race. He's got a good heart.”
Last summer during the Spa meet, Seidman said she would walk from her Saratoga home to the backstretch every morning to visit Bold Journey.
“That whole six weeks, every morning I spent time with him,” Seidman recalled. “He's very confident and a good looking horse. He has a very good personality. He's calm, he's confident and he's willing to learn, and I was excited to get him. He has the ability to go a little longer based off his breeding. The mare can get a good baby, as was shown with Americanrevolution.”
Bold Journey was acquired for $80,000 out of the McKathan Brothers Sales consignment at last year's OBS April Sale.
“I wanted a horse that could go on the dirt and eventually go longer,” Seidman said. “He just was special to me. I've had a lot of horses, but I think he's special. The minute you see him on the track, he puts his head up high.”
Seidman is the breeder of Dream Maker Racing's two-time New York-bred stakes winner Yo Cuz, who is also conditioned by Mott.
“Bill Mott has done a great job. I bred Yo Cuz also, and he does a great job at getting young horses to go forward,” Seidman said.
Seidman said she is happy to continue along the Derby path with her fellow partners in Bold Journey.
“The three other owners are respected owners and they bought into him for a reason. The partners are all wonderful people so I'm happy to be with them,” Seidman said.
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