One week after Unified blitzed the G3 Bay Shore field, Centennial Farms was back in the Aqueduct winner’s circle! Adulator clearly benefited from the experience of his troubled-trip Gulfstream Park debut. New York Racing Association paddock analyst Maggie Wolfendale noted the colt’s “Big, strong, and professional,” appearance before the race. He did not disappoint. Adulator relaxed off of the front runners, loomed three-wide around the turn, and drew off to an authoritative 3 1/2-length victory. The classy colt gave every indication he will enjoy more distance of ground and we look forward to giving him that opportunity in the future.
One minute, twenty-two and four-fifths seconds. That’s how long it took Unified to answer a boatload of questions. Will his form transfer from Gulfstream? Can he handle the slop? How about the big step up in class? And what if he breaks slowly?
Yes. Yes. No problem. Ditto.
Unified was sensational for a second time, taking the G3 Bay Shore at Aqueduct and drawing overflowing praise from racing professionals and fans alike. He attracted words like, “Special,” and “Freaky,” while NYRA racing analysts Andy Serling and Jason Blewitt described him as, “The horse of the day,” and “Oozing with raw talent and athleticism.”
Jockey Jose Ortiz, who leads all riders in New York thus far in 2016, was similarly impressed, saying, “I waited until the quarter pole and when I asked him to go he flew. When I asked him to go at the quarter pole, I knew if he kept going at that pace he was going to win. I think he is really, really nice. Now he’s got two races that prove that.”
The undefeated colt’s speed and talent is quantifiable. His 102 Beyer is just one point off the top of his generation at any distance and makes him the only three-year-old colt to crack the Daily Racing Form’s all-ages leaderboard up to a mile. Unified also received a 107 Brisnet Speed Rating for the effort, the highest of any three-year-old this year.
It was an absolutely thrilling performance and everyone is eager to see what’s in store for this exceptional colt!
Check in with the Centennial two-year-olds as they progress in their training at the farm in Middleburg, Virginia. All six colts are galloping daily and doing some early gate work at the Training Center. Ownership interests are still available in the 2015 Empire, LLC as well as the 2015 Crescent, LLC. Learn the excitement of thoroughbred ownership first-hand and #getinthegame.
The Centennial Farms commitment to excellence extends beyond the racetrack. The lower barn at our beautiful farm in Middleburg, Virginia recently underwent renovations and now looks better than ever!
The lower barn is one of two barns on the spacious property, which also includes round pens, paddocks, and access to the historic training track built by Paul Mellon. Each generation of Centennial stars receives their early training in Middleburg and they may return during their racing careers for a brief respite from track life.
Days after impressive victories by Unified and Securitiz at Gulfstream Park, Don Little, Jr. headed to Racetrackers to discuss their prospects, the Centennial Farms philosophy, and reminisce about Wicked Strong, Corinthian, and more. Hosts Dina Alborano and Bill Gotimer catch up on the latest news in racing before welcoming Little to the show at the 28:00 minute mark.
Sent off as the second choice in a tough field, Securitiz delivered with a gutsy performance to give Centennial Farms back-to-back wins at Gulfstream Park! The four-year-old raced wide while sitting just off the pace under jockey Javier Castellano. A resolute drive down the stretch put him ahead of the field, which included highly regarded Cowboy Rhythm.
The improving four-year-old now has two victories from eight lifetime starts, including two of his last four, and over $100,000 in career earnings. The victory was the second on the week for Centennial Farms and training Jimmy Jerkens following the impressive debut win by Unified on Sunday.
Unified debuted to much acclaim on February 21 at Gulfstream Park. Sent off as the heavy favorite, the dark bay colt delivered with aplomb. His rousing score earned him a 99 Beyer Speed Figure, second highest by any three-year-old thus far in 2016, trailing just reigning champion Nyquist by one point. The victory also earned him TDN “Rising Star” status, a spot in Daily Racing Form’s week in review piece, and a mention in Steve Haskin’s popular “Derby Dozen” blog on The Blood-Horse.
Centennial President Don Little remembering back to the 2014 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale was quoted in the TDN saying “We liked his pedigree, but we really liked the way he walked. He looked around like he was really aware of what was happening and with a very keen eye. He had a lot of presence. He has a great walk, great shoulder, very fluid in his walk. We knew Candy Ride was on his way up. He fit the Centennial mold of a Classic-type horse.”
We are looking forward to the future with the exciting colt, and judging from the reception he received, we’re not alone. Check out a sampling of the reaction to his debut:
It looks like Jimmy Jerkens and @Centennial_Farm have another promising horse! Unified looked great winning his debut at Gulfstream.
— J. Keeler Johnson (@J_Keelerman) February 21, 2016
Impressive debut for Saratoga graduate Unified today at Gulfstream Park for @Centennial_Farm . Bright future for this Candy Ride colt
— boyd browning (@btbrowning) February 21, 2016
Put 4 Unified ($3.60) on your horses-to-watch list @Centennial_Farm James Jerkens, @jjcjockey @GulfstreamPark
— ron nicoletti (@ronic17) February 21, 2016
Extremely impressive debut by Jimmy Jerkens’ Unified who draws off to easy win over McLaughlin firster Mutaraamy, 6 furlongs in 1:08.95.
— Mike Welsch (@DRFWelsch) February 21, 2016
For me, the most impressive part of Unified’s win was the gallop out after the late lead change. Some kind of weekend for Candy Ride.
— Alan Carasso (@EquinealTDN) February 21, 2016
99 career debut Beyer for @Centennial_Farm‘s stunning winner Unified (Candy Ride) Sun. @GulfstreamPark under @jjcjockey for Jimmy Jerkens.
— Steve Byk (@Steve_Byk) February 22, 2016
The unofficial Centennial Farms kick-off to 2016 came not on the racetrack but at a conference. Don Little, Jr. was invited to speak at the National Owners Conference held at Gulfstream Park. Horse Racing Radio Network’s Mike Penna hosted the panel entitled “Pursuing Your Dream: Success Stories from Thoroughbred Owners.” Joining Centennial’s Little on the panel were Sheila Rosenblum of Lady Sheila Stables and Ken Ramsey of Ramsey Farms. The trio traded stories about their time in the industry, the philosophies that have lead to their success, and what the sport of racing has done for them. New Owner of The Year Sol Kumin joined the group to offer a different perspective and embrace his title.
You can enjoy the entire the panel, including its introduction by the great Tom Durkin, thanks to OwnerView’s YouTube channel.
The star of the Horizon, LLC headed off to his second career on November 1. Wicked Strong, a $375,000 yearling purchase who went on to earn just shy of $2 million, settled in to his retirement at Spendthrift Farm two days after his bid to become our second Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner.
Several members of the Centennial Farm team and Wicked Strong’s ownership group headed to one of Lexington’s crown jewels to see Wicked’s new home and wish him well as he embarks on his next chapter as a stallion. It is a testament to our system that from our small classes, Wicked Strong is the seventh stallion we have retired to one of the world’s top farms. Spendthrift Farm has joined Gainesway Farm, Lane’s End Farm, Widden Stud, and more in welcoming our graduates to their prestigious rosters. It’s no wonder – the Centennial influence can be found right near the top of the stallion rankings. Worldwide sensation War Front is out of a daughter of our brilliant Rubiano. Offspring of Centennial stallions have made their presence known in G1 company in every corner of the globe – from Australia to South Africa to right here at home.
Wicked Strong has been tremendously well-received, particularly through the innovative “Share the Upside” program which allows early supporters to obtain lifetime breeding rights. We look forward to watching him reward their faith as he so often rewarded ours.
One of Spendthrift’s Stallion Barns
Could join Centennial’s Corinthian in history books
It’s hard to believe that it’s been eight years since Corinthian splashed to victory on a sloppy Monmouth Park track to take the inaugural edition of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Our occasionally difficult, always talented color-bearer stormed home to a 6 1/2-length victory, solidifying him as the best middle-distance dirt horse on the planet. This Monday, October 19, Wicked Strong fired a bullet work at Belmont to indicate all systems are go to be back on racing’s biggest stage in the 2015 edition.
Wicked Strong is among 16 pre-entered for the $1,000,000 race, which is scheduled for 4:10 PM EDT on Friday, October 30. The other entries, which will be capped at twelve for the race, are: Appealing Tale, Barbados, Bradester, Lea, Liam’s Map, Midnight Storm, Mr. Z, Mshawish, Nates Mineshaft, Red Vine, Street Strategy, Tapiture, Valid, War Envoy, and War Story. The group tops $14 million in combined earnings with over 80 victories and 29 graded stakes wins.
We are thrilled to have retained the services of Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez for Wicked Strong. Velazquez, a two-time Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Jockey, ranks third all-time in number of Breeders’ Cup victories.
Our Hard Spun superstar went 4 furlongs in 47.60
