By Christina Bossinakis
Hidden Brook Farm and Black-Type Thoroughbreds' Hidden Connection (Connect) marked her career unveiling in style, winning by a 7 ½-length margin going 5 1/2 panels at Colonial Aug. 17 and will try to add another notch to her belt in Saturday's 8 1/2-furlong GIII Pocahontas S. at Churchill Downs.
“She was really impressive that day when she broke her maiden,” said trainer Bret Calhoun. “She's only had this one race under her belt, so it's a test going two-turns. The way she ran last time gives us confidence in her.”
Hidden Connection will be ridden by Reylu Gutierrez, who plans to ride the entirety of the September meet at Churchill Downs. Gutierrez, who was based at Colonial Downs this summer, rode Hidden Connection to her victory.
“She acts like she'll handle the extra distance just fine,” Gutierrez said. “I really like the post we drew [No. 9] and think she's ready for this test.”
Ontheonesandtwos (Jimmy Creed) will try to recapture some of the luster seen in her early races at Churchill Downs when she marks her return for trainer Norm Casse Saturday. Listed at 5-2 on the morning line, the chestnut kicked off her career with a score going five furlongs at the Louisville oval May 13 before finishing second to Behave Virginia (Unified) in the six-furlong Debutante S. Favored in her latest in the Aug. 8 GII Adirondack S. at 6 1/2 panels, she came home sixth.
“We're really pleased with the way she came back out of the Adirondack at Saratoga,” Casse said. “I think the track that day was pretty speed favoring and she made her run on the far turn but couldn't catch the leaders. We got her back to Churchill Downs where we know she loves this track and has some race experience beneath her.”
Majestic d'Oro (Speightster) came from off the pace in her career bow sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs at Indiana Grand Aug. 19 and ran off to win for fun, scoring by 5 3/4 lengths. Trained by Brendan Walsh, the chestnut gets the services of Martin Garcia while stepping up to graded company for the first time here.
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