It won’t be a surprise when Midnight Bourbon registered over $3.1 million in earnings for owner Ron Winchell and trainer Steve Asmussen.
Just think back to a big race last year, especially a 3-year-old race in 2021, and chances are you’ll find your son. Tiznow about the thickness of the action during runtime.
It’s hard to forget images like when Midnight Bourbon gave the champion 3 years old Necessary quality a fierce battle in the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) stretch before settling for a second time or when he walks away Medina Spirit and took the lead in the middle of the Preakness Stakes (G1), only finishing second after running late Rombauer .
Midnight Bourbon galloping at Churchill Downs
Just a month ago, at the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), the sport’s richest race, he was once again in the familiar position with 200 yards left. He was by his side Country Grammer , fighting to take the lead in the segment with all his heart and energy. In the end, however, neither he nor Country Grammer could resist the inevitable finishing kick of a 113-1 long-range shot. Icon line and Midnight Bourbon placed third on the string.
Yes, if Midnight Bourbon is at the starting gate, you can count on runner-up Winchell Thoroughbreds to make his presence felt throughout the race, even if it’s a scene as scary as TVG. com Haskell Staking (G1) when Hot Rod Charlie drifted into his path in the ramp and he tripped and lost his jockey.
But what fans might not be expecting is when Midnight Bourbon runs on March 26 during the $12 million Dubai World Championships sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) at Meydan Racecourse, boy 4 age will look for the first win in 434 days.
“If you just look at its Ragozin (speed figures), which doesn’t have a name, and I ask you how many races that horse has won recently, you would never, never say zero,” Winchell said.
Despite a steady streak of strong efforts in some of the sport’s top races, Midnight Bourbon has somehow failed to win in his last 10 games starting January 16, 2021, Lecomte Staking (G3) at Fair Grounds & Slots.
His only other win in a career of 15 races with 11 ranked places was in the 2-year-old girls race in the second start.
“For him to run at such a high level successfully for such a long time without reward is really amazing,” said Asmussen, the sport’s all-time winner. “I have a lot of respect for it. That’s something he found in himself. To say you appreciate that kind of endurance mentally and physically isn’t a strong enough word for it. It so rare.”
Girvin as well as class 3 winners Cocked and Loaded and Pirate’s Punch. While Midnight Bourbon was purchased by Winchell for $525,000 from a Warrendale Sales consignment at Keeneland September Yearling Sale 2019, the youngest of Catch the Moon’s six ponies, 2 years old Quality Sugar pony Weyhill Roadsold to Woodford Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds for $1.6 million Best Books from Eaton Sales at the 2021 Sale at Keeneland September.
However, that large appearance and the solid black genealogy page only underscore the disappointment in so many close but cigar-free endings.
Winchell said: “I call him the unluckiest horse. He’ll get races like this when he’s under pressure. Then he stumbles in Haskell. He always finds himself in situations like this. speed dilemma,” Winchell said. “He came out lacking but we were looking to get him over the ledge. In the Saudi Cup, he showed another dynamic in that he was defended in that race and kept. stand his ground and still perform So that’s a good sign he’s growing mentally Physically he’s an absolute gem and our target I’m winning 1st place for him.”
Given his efforts in the past, it wouldn’t be a shock if that long-awaited victory comes in Dubai against a host of world-class rivals topping the pack. Life is good .
Aside from his aforementioned efforts, a career of two wins, six seconds and five thirds in 15 starts comes with a hefty $3,197,970 for his Hall of Fame coach. he, 4-year-old boy won 3 wins. finished second in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and third in the Clark Stakes presented by Norton Healthcare (G1) ahead of the start of 2022 with a strong second place in the Louisiana Stakes (G3) after a long run with the 1st place winner Mandaloun .
Even in the aftermath of Haskell, when he stumbled after putting on his Dubai World Cup colleague Hot Rod Charlie (who came first but was eliminated and placed last when Mandaloun became the official winner) , he returned a month later with his determined finish as runner-up in Travers.
“To put Haskell’s demise in the middle of it and still have him not back down in the pantry or evade during a race, that’s remarkable,” Asmussen said.
Unfortunate incident at Monmouth Park, a match in which Midnight Bourbon escaped without major injury, only marked the second time he’d had a shot off the board. The other came in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) as he finished an atypical 11th from the start after crashing and then raced the remaining four miles wide while finishing sixth.
Whether that breakout victory comes on Saturday in Dubai or a return to the United States this summer, Asmussen is confident it is on the horizon. Instead of seeing a horse emaciated by a tight loss, when he looks at Midnight Bourbon, he sees a pony capable of performing even better — and resulting — as he ages. .
“He’s facing the best there,” Asmussen said, “and he’s not done. It’s not over for him yet. He’s going to get his accolades for him. will outlast them. I really believe that.”
