Comanche Country targeting Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies
Little Red Feather Racing founder and managing partner Billy Koch puts it down to luck, but there’s no denying he and bloodstock agent Niall Dalton deserve accolades for finding Comanche Country.
The two-year-old filly has won all three of her races in the US – all in California.
The latest was by half a length over Sell the Dream in the $200,000 Grade 3 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Sunday (US Pacific Time) in a well-timed run on the outside over a mile.
Her success on US soil has come after the LRFR duo presented her to top trainer Phil D’Amato.
MORE: USA horse racing
D’Amato liked what he saw after watching Comanche Country get beaten by a nose in her first race in Naas, Ireland, on April 25.
The star west-coast conditioner also said he felt lucky that Koch and Dalton purchased her after turf specialist Umberto Rispoli piloted her to victory in the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes on September 10.
And now all the connections of Comanche Country can believe that she can compete well in the $1 million Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland on November 4.
“It was awesome. She’s such a cool little horse,” Koch told HorseBetting.com.au when asked about his filly’s classy win on Sunday, with Rispoli again in the saddle.
“She tries so hard and she’s got that nice little European turn of foot.
“Her bloodstock agent Niall Dalton found her there. He came to me and we made the deal.”
Like D’Amato, Koch said Comanche Country made a strong first impression on him.
“Her first race she ran really good. She was kind of really tactical, but she still showed a bit of a kick,” he said.
“It’s nice buying maidens who come over here and run well after shipping them in. It kind of worked out. Sometimes you get lucky.”
Little Red Feather Racing will also have another Irish star – Gold Phoenix – start in the Breeders Cup.
The four-year-old gelding – who finished third in the John Henry Turf Championship Stakes at Santa Anita on October 1 – will compete in the $4 million Turf race on November 5.
“We’ve got two Breeders’ Cup runners from Ireland – Gold Phoenix and now her. It’s exciting times and good for our partners,” Koch said.
“Always (we’re looking overseas for good horses).”
Meanwhile on Sunday, master trainer Bob Baffert said he was also excited about the future of Arabian Lion following his impressive debut on Santa Anita on Sunday.
The Justify colt – who was purchased for $600,000 by Zedan Racing Stables from the Hidden Brook consignment to the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds – won his maiden by three lengths over six furlongs.
Stablemate Elwood Blues – another exciting Justify colt – finished runner-up.
“He (Arabian Lion) is a good horse. He’s the best Justify colt I’ve seen,” Baffert told HorseBetting.com.au.
Packs a Wahlop was the other Grade 3 winner at Santa Anita on Sunday, comfortably winning the $200,000 Zuma Beach Stakes by 2 ¾ lengths.
In doing so, the two-year-old colt – ridden by Mike Smith – also stamped his ticket to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on November 4.
“He’s probably one of the best ones I’ve had my hands on for a while,” winning trainer Jeff Mullins said.
“When he was in Florida, he was doing things that were not normal … Unfortunately, he hit a muddy track (at Gulfstream) and didn’t really handle it that well.
“Once he hit the grass, I mean … (His form) may even transfer to the dirt. He’s just a really nice horse.”