Sovereignty displayed powerful closing ability and got up just in time to win the Grade 2 $400,000 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes March 1 at Gulfstream Park.
Flood Zone landed in the winner's circle at 17-1 odds by edging clear in the final furlong to post a 3 1/4-length victory over favored Sand Devil in the $300,000 Grade 3 Gotham Stakes for 3-year-olds March 1 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Every Thoroughbred racehorse is an individual athlete with his or her own unique abilities and personality quirks. While saddles, stirrups, bridles, and bits are standard gear worn by every horse when they compete in order for their jockeys to ride them and control their movements, some horses improve with added headgear such as blinkers.
Blinkers are cups usually made of plastic that are fitted to a hood placed on a horse’s head. They are positioned near each eye and are used to limit a horse’s vision when he/she runs.
Horse racing is often referred to as “The Sport of Kings,” creating the impression that only those with incredible wealth can participate … and it is, no doubt, very expensive to own a horse much less a racehorse. But the reality is you don’t need to be a monarch or a Sheikh or a titan of industry to own a Kentucky Derby starter, or winner for that matter.
Saturday’s $300,000, Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap Presented by Yaamava’ Resort & Casino is an important early-season test for older horses at Santa Anita Park.
