Declan's Moon, the 2004 Two-Year-Old Male Eclipse Award winner and a Kentucky Derby favorite, will represent Merryland Farm in the 100-Day Challenge.
Several weeks ago I told you about the new format for the Retired Racehorse Training Project’s 100-Day Challenge, in which four OTTBs from major Thoroughbred operations will train at Steuart Pittman’s Dodon Farm, with a winner being crowned at the PA Horse World Expo in February. Since I live in Harrisburg and will be going to the expo to bring you a full report on these talented youngsters, I’ve been stalking RRTP’s Facebook page for news about the four horses that will be competing.
Here’s your sneak peak at the competitors. The star of the show — at least at this initial stage of the competition — has to be Samantha Siegel’s Declan’s Moon (Malibu Moon X Vee Vee Star, by Norquester), the 2004 Two-Year-Old Male Eclipse Award winner and a 2005 Kentucky Derby favorite until he was sidelined with a knee surgery. The gelding has been retired in a field at Merryland Farm for four years with other Malibu Moon stakes winners.
Gunport will represent Sagamore Farm in the 100-Day Challenge.
Gunport (Mizzen Mast X Directive, by Deputy Minister), a 3-year-old filly, only raced once before the owner, Kevin Plank of Sagamore Farm and Underarmour fame, opted to retire her, as she was apparently uninterested in racing. Isn’t she gorgeous? I can’t wait to see her in action.
Suave Jazz (Suave Prospect X Cavite Starlet, by Jazzing Around), a 9-year-old gelding who ran 70 races and won $651,000, was originally owned by Mark Reid and Tony Dutrow of Walnut Green Farm before they lost him in a claiming race. When they heard about the 100-Day Challenge, they bought him back to enter him. “Mr. Reid is one of the country’s leading bloodstock agents and said he didn’t want to enter just any horse,” Steuart said. “He wants to win.”
The fourth and final horse is Alluring Punch (Two Punch X Alluring Elixir, by Cure The Blues), a 3-year-old colt owned by Barbara Ryan and representing Northview Stallion Station. Northview stood the acclaimed sire Two Punch until he died last year at age 28. The stallion made an incredible contribution to the sporthorse world, producing offspring with lovely gaits and scopey jumps. Alluring Punch retired from racing this fall.
Stay tuned for much more on the Retired Racehorse Training Project 100-Day Challenge!
