Demonstrating the strength of the male who won his Three Crowns on May 22 is Tahoma , Justify’s first pony to compete in a race in the United States, who won her debut May 22 in the special 4 1/2 feathered girl class in Santa Anita . Park.
Coached by Doug O’Neill, the 2-year-old pony broke rhythm under Juan Hernandez’s lead and headed for fourth off the court, running a short distance. Tahoma, 4-5 favorites, comes forward at pole 1/4 to challenge Flame Riderthen easily keep the conductor in tension to cross the wire first Salta and Eagle landing in time: 53.89 for the West Coast barn.
JUSTIFY’s 1st US runner-up – Tahoma passed an easy winner at debut @ DougONeill1 & The West Coast Barn!#CoolmoreSires #HomeOfChampions pic.twitter.com/2LZu9UV2X8
– Coolmore America (@coolmoreamerica) May 22, 2022
O’Neill’s longtime assistant Leandro Mora said, “We had high expectations and we felt this pony had a lot of potential. This pony has a lot of possibilities and I feel like this pony has a lot of potential. really confident about its future. We’re proud to win with the very first start for Justify, very proud.”
Tahoma purchased $160,000 from Hunter Valley Ranch consignment at the September 2021 Keeneland Sale by Dennis O’Neill.
“Dennis (Doug’s brother) bought this horse and he’s got the eyes of an eagle. He’s provided us with a lot of nice horses. Doug is on his way back from Maryland, but he’s on the road. He answered the phone and he knew we won,” Mora said.
Although Tahoma represents Justify’s first starter on US soil, JA Stack intern Aspen Grove also started May 22, placing fifth in Tally Ho Stud European Breeders’ Fund Fillies, a competition First race at The Curragh.
Raised in Kentucky by Hunter Valley Ranch, Fergus Galvin, and Golden Vale Ranch, Tahoma is not Rahy mare Madera Dancer, who had five winners out of six ponies entering the race. Mare is also produced War Legend , who won the Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G3) of the State Bank of Nevada. She was barren in the 2021 season and has a 2022 Nyquist pony.
Raised in Kentucky by John Gunther, from Mare Mare Ghostzapper Stage Magic, Justify, a 7-year-old son of Go, dad won the Triple Crown in 2018 to hit a career 6 to 6 with $3,798,000 in earnings.
He stands at the 2022 season at Ashford Stud in Kentucky for a promotional fee of $100,000.
