Churchill Downs, Race 2 – Thursday, May 10, 2024
By The 2YO EdgeMan
CD2:051024 – 5f on the Dirt. This is another Two-Year-Old MSW affair restricted to fillies that sold or RNAed for $50,000 or less in their most recent auction. Honestly, I was just going to pass and wait for an event with no conditions at Churchill or Belmont, but one horse really interests me and I’d like to share my observation on her with you…
#11 – Aoraki (5/1) – Please don’t ask me to pronounce this filly’s name, but what jumps off the page to me is that Larry Best’s OXO Equine LLC has part ownership in this gal. She was originally sold for a scant $11,000 as a ‘short yearling’ at Keeneland’s January Sale last year to Domination Racing. Apparently, she subsequently changed hands in a private transaction moving the filly over to her new ownership. What really intrigues me is, why would Best be interested in an $11,000 horse – he essentially is only involved in high-end, high-priced animals.
This gal’s sire is Dominus and her Maclean’s Music dam never found the Winner’s Circle in three racing attempts – this is her first foal. Today’s youngster is trained by Steve Asmussen and he’s put her to work in the morning on only three occasions – twice at Keeneland (one at 3/8th and one at a ½ mile) and then she vanned west on I-64 for a work over the CD strip. Her best work was pretty impressive, especially for Asmussen, when she covered four panels in 48.6 seconds from the gate at KEE on 4/21/24 (4/83). Steve will give the leg up to his son, Keith.
We will continue to stay on the lookout for unrestricted baby races, but until then, be safe and well. Thank you for all of your support – we very much appreciate it.
