Coach Rocks Post Race Analysis

Well it was a disappointing outcome of Coach Rocks race. Unfortunately, Coach Rocks bled in her race on Saturday, this gives us substantial evidence to her poor performance.  When a horse is scoped either post workout or race they are graded on a scale of 5.  Coach Rocks bled a 4/5 in her race over the weekend, when watching the replay you could see her come off the bridle at the 3/8 and begin to labor.  That can be a visual sign of when a horse bleeds and the following scope affirmed the incident.  As we purchased Coach Rocks at a pubic auction we would not have any evidence or knowledge of her previous situations or if she had had these episodes in previous races.  This simply could be a one time case or she may have had chronic bleeding incidents but her career record indicates otherwise.  Due to the severity of the bleed Coach Rocks would need 60-90 days off to recuperate from the episode and there are no guarantees she would not have another episode in future starts.  With this situation in mind Coach Rocks has been retired from racing and will begin her new career as a broodmare.  We were excited for her season and this was unexpected as she gave no inclination in her works that this would occur.

On the positive side we would like to announce the addition of a new two year old to the syndicate.  Her name is Seascape, a two year old daughter of Distorted Humor out of the stakes winning mare Harbor Mist.  She is a homebred of Winstar’s and is currently in the breaking process and doing well, we will have some updated photos of her soon.  Also, as many have seen we are filling the entry box this coming week.  Already we have Eden entered at Turfway Park, Caribbean Sea entered in the stakes at Sunland with possible entries of both Best Intentions and Champagne Affair still to come.  Pre-race analysis will be sent out later in the week, also  Signify  worked 48.2 out of the gate and is looking to run on March 11th at Fair Grounds unless a straight three year old maiden extra is hung on the overnight.

The racing calendar is long and there are times throughout the season that it feels like we are no more than the bearer of bad news.  The tide will change as it always does and I can see exciting times ahead for the syndicate, stay positive and the fillies will do the work.

 

Coach Rocks pre-race analysis with Sean Tugel

We are finally on the eve of the Royal Delta and Coach Rocks’ inaugural start for the Stablemates Syndicate.  Coach Rocks is also making her first start for her new trainer Todd Pletcher and will be reunited with Luis Saez who rode her to victory in the Gulfstream Park Oaks Gr. 2.  The Royal Delta drew a contentious field of 6 older fillies including the Gr. 1 winner Restless Rider who is making her first start since the Kentucky Oaks.  Golden Award is the 9/5 favorite and is coming off a last out graded stakes win in the Turnback the Alarm Gr. 3 at Aqueduct.

Coach Rocks has been installed as the 9/2 fourth choice which is quite juicy.  Certainly Golden Award is the filly to beat in the race, being the most in form filly and owning the best speed figures.  There should be plenty of pace in the race with Cookie Dough a middle distance sprinter stretching out.  We could also see Restless Rider show speed but she is coming off a very lengthy layoff and will be vulnerable.  Coach Rocks who generally shows speed could be right there as well but would love to be able to see her break, let Cookie Dough clear her and sit a nice stalking trip.  We know that Coach Rocks likes the Gulfstream surface, having two wins over the course and 4 on the board out of 5 lifetime starts at Gulfstream.  Now if Cookie Dough decides to take back Coach Rocks could find herself on the lead all alone and be the controlling pace just as she did when she almost upset champion Midnight Bisou.  Todd Pletcher is also 29% when 1st time new trainer and her workmate Fearless devastated an allowance race two weeks ago.  The filly has been training well and we are looking for a competitive start to her 2020 campaign.