By Gary King
It was a hectic week in the Thoroughbred business with all eyes firmly focussed on Louisville, Kentucky. Here are some facts and figures that you might have missed in the rush.
Record Numbers…
Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby (single race) totaled $179 million, up 15% over 2021 and up 8% from the previous record of $166.5-million set in 2019. This year's wagering record includes $8.3 million of handle put through the window in Japan.
The Smart Strike Factor…
As a broodmare sire, Smart Strike has the distinction of having two of the four biggest longshots in history to win the Derby with Mine That Bird (Birdstone), who paid $103.20 in 2009, and now Rich Strike at $163.60. Rich Strike is actually inbred 3×2 to the former Lane's End stallion.
Five And Counting…
It was a long time between Kentucky Oaks wins, but Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas now has five to his credit. Blush With Pride (1982), Lucky Lucky Lucky (1984), Open Mind (1989), Seaside Attraction (1990). Will Secret Oath (Arrogate) prove to be the best yet?
Galileo's Week in Europe…
This week has taken the form of a prolonged tribute to the late, great Galileo. After clinching the worldwide stakes record from Danehill (347) only last week, the floodgates have well and truly opened since then, and Sadler's Wells's finest son now sits on 353. Not sure all records are made to be broken?
The New Ghostzapper?…
In the post-race interview, Chad Brown compared undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Jack Christopher (Munnings) to Hall of Famer Ghostzapper (Awesome Again), who Brown worked with while under the tutelage of Bobby Frankel. “This horse reminds me a lot of Ghostzapper, I was fortunate to work with that horse, he moves about the same as him and that one had a few rough patches as well.” Music to the ears of Jim Bakke, Gerry Isbister, Coolmore Stud and White Birch Farm.
A Curlin Graded Double For Mott…
Hall of Famer Bill Mott registered a graded-stakes triple over the weekend, including a pair of Curlin offspring for two of the world's premier breeding operations. At Churchill Saturday afternoon, Juddmonte Farms' Obligatory flashed home for a breakthrough Grade I success in the Derby City Distaff, while in New York a few hours later, Godolphin's Cody's Wish was a towering winner of the GIII Westchester S., a course-and-distance lead-up for the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H. on Belmont Day June 11. Mott also won Friday's GII Alysheba S. with the progressive Olympiad (Speightstown).
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