Juan Hernandez hat tricks include mucho unusual
Jockey Luis Saez rides his horse Maximum Security as he competes in the 20 million US dollar race, the final race of the Saudi Cup at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Jenadriyah on February 29, 2020.
What you need to know:
- Maximum Security ran a blinder considering he got caught in a typical scrum, but no problem, he is also trained by Bob Baffert.
- Unbeaten Princess Noor (Victor Espinoza 4-9), owned by Zedan Stables, had nothing to threaten her in the Chandelier Stakes (Oak Leaf).
Juan Hernandez steered George Krikorian's homebred, Mucho Unusual, quite rapidly to the open court sending others into comatose state.
He was granted an immediate Fillies Breeders' Cup entry by squashing the Rodeo Drives Stakes.
Conditioned by Tim Yakteen, Mucho Unusual covered 1.4 miles on firm turf in 2:00:9/10. Maximum Rate, Lady Prancealot, Tonahutu, and, Pretty Point, were all bunched up together behind, in that order. Tonahutu and Maximum Rate, were never far off the mark.
Tim Yakteen was tickled pink as Mucho Unusual achieved her very first Graded One race.
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Bob Baffert's, Improbable (Drayden Van Dyke 4-5), appeared from last position to credit a 4.5 length stomp over Maximum Security (Luis Saez 3-5), Take the One O One (Jose Valdivia Junior 12-1), and, Sleepy Eyes Todd, in the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita. Improbable, previously named Baby Justify, was not easy to handle in the stalls, but once they opened, this versatile colt clocked 1:49:1/10 over 1.1/8 miles. Maximum Security ran a blinder considering he got caught in a typical scrum, but no problem, he is also trained by Bob Baffert.
Drayden has strong belief that Improbably might again be in a duel with Maximum Security at Keenland, as he is growing better and better with each passing day.
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Unbeaten Princess Noor (Victor Espinoza 4-9), owned by Zedan Stables, had nothing to threaten her in the Chandelier Stakes (Oak Leaf). Again, Bob Baffert was master chef for the twelfth time. Princess Noor struck gold by 8.4 lengths in 1:45:5/10, over 1.1/16 miles.
Varda, Miss Costa Rica, and Illumination, made a brief attempt to get on terms, but it was never happening. Make Mischief trailed in last. Princess Noor already has an all-expenses paid berth into the Juvenile Fillies Breeders'.
Victor could not offer more praise to the talented, energetic, speedy lady, who inspired everyone around her. He said she was just too easy to ride, likening her to American Pharoah and California Chrome. How about that? At least Victor was able to instill confidence.
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Amore Stable's, Firenze Fire (Jose Lezcano 3-1), made mincemeat of rivals in the Belmont Vosburgh 1,200m. Trained by Kelly Breen, Firenze Fire earned a Breeders' Cup Sprint berth. Clocking 1:09:7/10, Firenze Fire bagged his twelfth strike in 29 events. Funny Guy, Share the Ride, True Timber, and, Engage, had no answers.
Kelly Breen took guardianship of Firenze Fire after Jason Jarvis was indicted on drug misappropriation activities earlier this year.
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We can safely say that the Cambridgeshire is definitely one of the most competitive handicaps on Britain's calendar. But not this time round. Majestic Dawn (Paul Hanagan 40-1), blasted his way to the front leaving Lucander (Harry Bentley 18-1), Bell Rock (Oisin Murphy 10-1), and, Your Hired (Darragh Keenan 100-1), wanting as they say.
Just over a mile in 1:46:9/10, is not bad, but the best part of this story is that Paul Hanagan had just returned from an injury that could have terminated his career.
He broke his back in February. It was so tough and painful, but rehab helped the forty-year-old muster a new lease on life. Jack Berry, Richard Fahey, Richard Hale, and, family, were all part of this momentous return. Twenty runners just scattered themselves everywhere as Majestic Dawn flew like a bird for Paul.
