Boasting a 53.8% win charge, a 100% in-the-money report, and $1.2 million in earnings by 13 begins, Otter Bend Stables’ Gufo would be most owners’ horse of a lifetime. Remarkably, he is the first horse for owner and co-breeder Stephen Cainelli.
The 4-year-old late-running son of Declaration of War will face a tough international field Nov. 6 in the $4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T).
Cainelli bred the colt, a half brother to multiple graded stakes winner and millionaire Hogy , with his friend John Little. He purchased Little’s share of the now 4-year-old colt and races him under the Otter Bend Stables banner.
Trainer Christophe Clement developed Gufo into the winner of five stakes, including two grade 1 scores. He earned his Turf berth with a victory in the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T) Aug. 28 at Saratoga Race Course.
Clement’s longtime assistant Christophe Lorieul has dealt with Gufo at Del Mar this week. On the morning of Nov. 4, Lorieul despatched Gufo out to gallop 1 1/4 miles.
“He regarded good on the market, highly effective and robust,” Lorieul stated. “He stood properly on the wire. We schooled him (Wednesday) and he was excellent.”
Even together with his explosive, off-the-pace operating type, Gufo generally offered issues for his jockeys. Joel Rosario is the common rider now, determining positioning and timing.
“He is acquired a terrific flip of foot to complete, however this 12 months perhaps not a lot,” Lorieul stated. “We added blinkers, which helps Joel get him a bit of bit nearer in races. Does it take his end a bit of bit away? I do not know. However he is very constant and tries each time.”
Gufo faces the most important problem of his profession within the $4 million Turf, a race usually dominated by European runners.
“It is a robust job, clearly,” Lorieul stated. “It is the very best of the very best on the finish of the 12 months. It was a logical spot. He is one of many prime three turf horses within the U.S. Why not?”
In different information from the Turf, Southern California-based Acclimate figures to set the pace and that’s just fine with trainer Phil D’Amato.
“We learned something about him the last time we ran in this race (finishing ninth in 2019) … don’t try to get too cute with him. We tried to rate him and it didn’t work. He’s got one fast gear, so we’re just going to let him run and go as fast and as far as he’ll take us.” D’Amato said, “If anyone gets too close to us early, they’ll be going too fast.”
