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Golden Sixty Looking To Bounce Back in Gold Cup Defence

Having suffered a shock defeat when last seen in the G1 Stewards' Cup–his first in over 30 months–Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) will have atonement on his mind when he goes in search of back-to-back victories in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000mT) Sunday afternoon at Sha Tin Racecourse.

There was plenty to play for in the Stewards', as Golden Sixty had taken his winning streak to 16 with a second consecutive success in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile in December and had the chance to draw even with the legendary Silent Witness (Aus)'s consecutive streak. It wasn't to be, however, as the 6-year-old got too far out of his ground in a paceless race and he was unable to bridge the gap late with Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}). In a sense, that renders Sunday's race a less-stressful affair, and connections anticipate Golden Sixty to be back to his best.

“He felt good, he was really relaxed and he feels nice and strong,” said jockey Vincent Ho after Golden Sixty capped off 1200 metres of work with a final quarter-mile in :22.5 Feb. 15.

In addition to last year's Gold Cup, Golden Sixty defeated the now-retired fellow BMW Hong Kong Derby hero Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}) and looks to stay perfect in three tries at the 10-furlong distance.

Those looking to make life difficult on the reigning Horse of the Year include 2021 Hong Kong Derby winner Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), who returns to the 2000 metres for the first time since, and Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), third in last year's Derby and an excellent third over an insufficient trip in the Stewards' Cup last time.

Waikuku lines up in the 1400-metre G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup as he goes in defence of his crown. His seven rivals include G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint victor Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}); Chairman's Sprint Prize winner Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}), who has viable excuses for his last two runs; and the sneaky Healthy Happy (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}), whose two victories from four tries at the metric seven furlongs includes a neck decision over Lucky Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) with 132 pounds on his back in the G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup H. on New Year's Day.

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APBs: McGaughey Troops Gearing Up in South Florida

A pair of highly regarded sophomores of 2021 are on the comeback trail for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey.

Courtlandt Farm's homebred Greatest Honour (Tapit–Tiffany's Honour, by Street Cry {Ire}) was a serious early contender for the GI Kentucky Derby following flashy wins in Gulfstream's GIII Holy Bull S. and GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. last winter. After finishing a flat third as the 4-5 favorite in the GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 27, however, McGaughey decided to hit the reset button on the bay.

“I wasn't really pleased with the way he was going after the Florida Derby,” McGaughey said. “So, we gave him some time. Then we gave him a little bit more time. He's been back training now. He was training at Courtlandt Farm then he came to Payson Park and we stepped it up a little bit when he got there. So, this is where we are.

McGaughey added, “He was always a tall horse and probably didn't carry as much weight as a 3-year-old that I'd like for him to. I think that's all come together now. I like everything he's been doing.”

Greatest Honour, produced by an unplaced daughter of bluehen mare Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister) and hailing from the same female family as Classic winners Rags to Riches and Jazil, has posted three workouts since late January at Payson Park, most recently completing a four-furlong breeze in :50.40 (21/24) Feb. 14.

“So far, he's doing really well,” McGaughey said. “He's been breezing weekly at Payson Park and hopefully he's probably a month or so away. I haven't gotten any timetable [for specific races] for him. I'm just sort of waiting to let him to tell me. But, so far, so good.”

Last year's GIII Dwyer S. 'TDN Rising Star' First Captain (Curlin–America, by A.P. Indy), meanwhile, has begun gearing up at McGaughey's Gulfstream base. A disappointing well-beaten third while suffering his first career defeat making his two-turn debut in Saratoga's 1 1/8-mile Curlin S. July 30, he was subsequently freshened after bypassing a potential start in the GI Pennsylvania Derby in September. He's breezed six times so far this year, including a five-furlong move in 1:01.46 (6/14) in Hallandale Feb. 14.

“There really wasn't anything the matter with him, I just wasn't all together pleased of where I stood with him, so I thought, 'Well, let's just give him some time,'” McGaughey said. “Time helped him a lot. He was at Barry Eisaman's and he did a great job with him. He got out here and had a really good bottom in him and he's been breezing ever since. Hopefully, we can find a spot for him down the road somewhere along the lines.”

The $1.5-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling is campaigned in partnership by West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm, breeder Bobby Flay and Woodford Racing. First Captain, the first foal out of Flay's GSW & MGISP America, is bred on the same Curlin over A.P. Indy cross responsible for recently crowned champion Malathaat as well as GISWs Global Campaign and Idol.

“I just want them to have a good summer campaign, so I'm not in any hurry,” McGaughey concluded of the duo.

First Captain was his usual silky smooth self this am in a 5F breeze (1:02.1) with ⁦@jose93_ortiz⁩ up. This was his 4th breeze since arriving ⁦@GulfstreamPark⁩ on New Year's Eve. Good stuff. pic.twitter.com/jm7rbAhCdf

— Jason Blewitt (@jasonblewitt30) February 2, 2022

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Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan: Feb. 19, 2022

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here is one horse of interest for this weekend running Saturday at Hanshin Racecourse, while Sunday's program at Tokyo features the first Group 1 of the new year–the February S.–and the Listed Hyacinth S., with Kentucky Derby points on the line. Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah) defends his title in the former, while a pair of US-breds take their chance in the Hyacinth:

Saturday, February 19, 2022
11th-HSN, Kyoto Himba S.-G3, ¥72m ($626k), 4/up, f/m, 1400mT
LOTUS LAND (m, 5, Point of Entry–Little Miss Muffet, by Scat Daddy) blossomed during her 4-year-old season in 2021, winning half of her eight starts, including the Listed Yonago S. in June and an 8-1 upset of the 1600-meter G3 Sekiya Kinen in August (see below, SC 6) to surpass $1 million in career earnings. Though she was 12th when last seen in the G1 Mile Championship at Kyoto in November, she was beaten just over five lengths and there will be nothing in this field near the quality of Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who was successfully defending her title in her career swansong. B-Dr Aaron Sones & Dr Naoya Yoshida (KY)

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Tapit’s Per Capita to Stand in Arizona

Per Capita (Tapit–Successful Outlook, by Orientate), a full-brother to the GSW & GISP pair of Anchor Down and Iron Fist, has been retired and will stand at Fleming Thoroughbred Farm near Willcox, Arizona. Last trained by Todd Pletcher while campaigning for the partnership of Red Oak Stable, Peter Brant, and Gainesway Stable, Per Capita was offered at the recent Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale as a racing or stallion prospect. Alvarez Racing purchased the chestnut for $60,000 and retired him to stand at Fleming. Per Capita goes to the breeding shed with a record of 8-2-2-2 and earnings of $134,140.

“We are excited to offer a horse from one of the strongest Gainesway families to breeders in Arizona,” said Dylon Alvarez. “We will strongly support Per Capita with our broodmare band and plan to privately acquire a few more mares specifically to complement his pedigree.”

In addition to his graded-winning full-brothers, Per Capita also is a half-brother to 2013 GI Test S. winner Sweet Lulu (Mr. Greeley). He will be the first son of leading sire Tapit to stand in Arizona. His 2022 fee will be $2,000, S&N.

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