We wish we could begin with some better news today, but this heartbreaking story stands out.
In one of the most horrific crimes involving horses in recent memory and beyond it has been reported four stallions were slaughtered with an axe in Peru.
The four stallions at Haras Barlovento in Canete, Peru were killed by intruders Sunday, who apparently broke into the farm with the express purpose of killing The Lieutenant (Street Sense), Cyrus Alexander (Medaglia d’Oro), Timely Advice (A.P. Indy) and Kung Fu Mambo (Arg) (Giant’s Causeway). The night watchman was also reported to have been shot and killed in the senseless attack.
The Lieutenant, was a half-brother to Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy), and he had been covering the Southern Hemisphere this season and was about to return to Sequel Stallions in New York. Cyrus Alexander won the GIII Lone Star Park H. Kung Fu Mambo was one of the best horses of his crop in Peru, winning the G1 Derby Nacional. He was an easy winner of his US debut in a Santa Anita allowance in June of 2015, but was injured and retired after the race. Timely Advice was an established stallion in Peru. The farm reports the perpetrators killed the stallions to sell the meat. Their is an active ongoing investigation in Peru.
In what really came as no surprise it looks like Maximum Security will be heading to the inaugural Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia after the purse and conditions of the Pegasus World Cup were changed. Both races run without race day medications including Lasix, so it likely just comes down to the purse. The Pegasus is now a $3 million dollar race whereas the Saudi Cup is $20 million (US). The inaugural Saudi race will be run on February 29th, 2020 at Riyadh. These are the conditions:
1800m (9f) on dirt
Total race value: $20,000,000
$10,000,000 to the winning horse.
The second to receive $3,500,000, the third $2,000,000, the fourth $1,500,000, the fifth $1,000,000, the sixth $600,000, the seventh $500,000, the eighth $400,000, the ninth $300,000, the tenth $200,000.
Open to Northern Hemisphere four-year-olds and upwards and Southern Hemisphere three-year-olds and upwards.
Enter by noon, Tuesday January 7th, 2020.
Free to enter and free to run.
Supplementary entry for non-original entries: $200,000, to be paid on Tuesday February 18th, 2020.
Final declaration and draw: Tuesday February 25th, 2020.
Weights: Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere
four-year-olds and upwards: 57kg / 126lb
Southern Hemisphere three-year-olds: 53.5kg / 118lb
Fillies and mares allowed 2kg / 4lb
Maximum field size: 14 runners.
Lasix and Bute will not be allowed in the Saudi Cup.
Horses who finish first, second or third in the Pegasus World Cup will be invited for the Saudi Cup even if not previously entered. Horses trained in Saudi Arabia will have the opportunity to secure a place in the starting line up by winning a race to be run on Friday February 7th, 2020.
The Saudi Race may draw a tougher field than the Pegasus. Midnight Bisou is scheduled to go, and even being a mare she is always tough. The purse cut at the Pegasus may lead to a weaker field, so it can’t really be said Maximum Security is ducking anyone, or taking the easier route over his home track we know he likes. he’s never lost at Gulfstream and he is still being sent to the desert to race without Lasix, which he is used to. We think it is a gutsy call.
I have seen this happen before in Hallandale. After 6 inches of overnight rain and more in the forecast Gulfstream flooded. The barn area is under water and the tracks look like rivers. Even the airport closed due to flooding so you know it is coming down.
Omaha Beach worked a 34 flat bullet for the now December 28th, G1 Malibu. He is scheduled to run there and then head to the Pegasus before retiring.
Storm the Court, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner worked 48 4/5ths at Santa Anita. McKinzie went in 48 flat in his work.
