Classy, athletic, smart, and personable from day one, Unified proved himself to be all that and more. The handsome dark bay retires to Lane’s End Farm a multiple graded stakes winner of over $475,000.
Some highlights from his brilliant career are shown below. You can also read more about his future via The BloodHorse.
An action-packed weekend gave Team Centennial much reason for optimism and celebration across four different partnerships! Four runners at two tracks across two stakes headed back to the barn with a win, a second, and two thirds among them.
The partners in the Crescent, LLC enjoyed their group’s first victory, from just two starters, with a game, impressive victory from Metallic at Laurel Park. The son of Medaglia d’Oro battled along the rail throughout, drew clear, and held off a late charge. Rodney Jenkins has done a tremendous job with the colt and is enthusiastic about his bright future.
Stable star Unified was the headliner of the weekend at Aqueduct. The multiple graded stakes winner made his Grade 1 debut as the highweight in the Carter Handicap. Though he just missed running down a loose-on-the-lead longshot winner, Green Gratto, it was a big performance from the colt who has developed in to one of the best sprinters in the country under the watchful eye of Jimmy Jerkens.
Pirate’s Treasure was involved in a wildly-run Wood Memorial Day nightcap. The New York-bred continues to develop mentally with each start and has improved his finish with each effort, crossing the wire third.
Rounding out the weekend was Adulator, looking to rebound after a disappointing seasonal debut at Gulfstream Park. A speed favoring track made things difficult, but he came running and galloped out well to finish third in a strong field.
The quartet’s encouraging efforts moved our on the board percentage above 63% in 2017, with every reason to believe they’ll continue to make our partners proud.
Much of the pre-race attention regarding Saturday’s G3 Gulfstream Park Sprint revolved around the outside horse, Mind Your Biscuits. The focus was warranted. The four-year-old entered the race off of three straight triple digit Beyers, including crossing the wire third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and taking the G1 Malibu. The spotlight began to shift inside, however, when the horses entered the paddock.
Unified drew instant attention from commentators on his appearance, drawing rave reviews from Gulfstream’s Gabby Gaudet before being selected as Caton Bredar’s paddock pick on TVG. The feedback reflected highly on the job done by both Paula Parsons during his summer and fall break in Middleburg, Virginia and Jimmy Jerkens since rejoining the track in December. The dark bay colt lived up to his looks from the get-go. Unified broke on top beneath Jose Ortiz, opened up down the stretch, and had enough left in the tank off of the June layoff to hold off the G1 winner.
The stunning performance ran Unified’s record to four wins from five starts, including three graded stakes victories and undefeated going one turn. Everything indicates he has nothing but upside for the remainder of his career, after which he is slated to retire alongside his sire, Candy Ride, at Lane’s End Farm. Enjoy some of the coverage and feedback from Unified’s four-year-old debut!
Terrific race at @GulfstreamPark! Great to see Unified back for @Centennial_Farm as he JUST holds off Mind Your Biscuits.
— Andy Serling (@andyserling) February 25, 2017
Congratulations to @Centennial_Farm‘s comebacking Unified who ran his eyes out to win. What a champ.
— Emily Shields (@ZenyattaMafia) February 25, 2017
UNIFIED is such a BEAST when he’s on his game winning @GulfstreamPark Sprint for @Centennial_Farm with @jose93_ortiz up!
— Saratoga Slim (@SaratogaSlim) February 25, 2017
@Centennial_Farm He’s all CLASS !!!
Looked and ran Great. Was ready to rumble today for sure.
— Matthew J. Ellis (@MatthewJEllis2) February 25, 2017
102 Beyer for @Centennial_Farm‘s Unified (Candy Ride) in G3 @GulfstreamPark Sprint under @jose93_ortiz for Jimmy Jerkens. pic.twitter.com/L3mcideqIE
— Steve Byk (@Steve_Byk) February 26, 2017
GP Sprint was awesome. Gotta think a rematch between Unified and Mind Your Biscuits will take place in the Carter. Jimmy J is a master.
— Jason Blewitt (@jasonblewitt30) February 25, 2017
Jimmy Jerkens has got to be commended for Unified’s performance off the layoff. Blew him out yesterday a.m. to make him extra sharp today.
— Gabby Gaudet (@Gabby_Gaudet_) February 25, 2017
In a season of discord, 2017 is gonna be UNIFIED’s year! #G1baby https://t.co/iNtRmpeuC4
— Claire Novak (@BH_CNovak) February 26, 2017
This weekend’s top @Equibase figures (Stakes): Hogy 122 @flothejock, Unified 121 @jose93_ortiz @Centennial_Farm
— Equibase (@Equibase) February 27, 2017
Going into the weekend we did not think Unified would make our #1 Star! What a performance!https://t.co/C2Pa0ZK3hf
— Racing Dudes (@racing_dudes) February 27, 2017
Undefeated Unified tackles his biggest test yet on Sunday, June 19, at Monmouth Park. The Grade 3, $150,000 Pegasus Stakes marks the dark colt’s first attempt at two-turns. Though he has already won beyond the race’s 1 1/16-mile distance, his G2 Peter Pan victory came at 1 1/8 miles, that victory came around one turn on Belmont Park’s massive 1 1/2-mile oval. This initial foray in to the different dynamics involved with a two-turn race will go a long way to decide the course of the year.
Read more: Blood-Horse, The Daily Racing Form
Three-for-three. Sprinting. Routing. Fast. Muddy. Gulfstream. Aqueduct. Belmont. Is there a more exciting three-year-old, with more upwards potential, than Unified? The undefeated colt was dazzling again this weekend, stretching out to 1 1/8 miles for the first time in the G2 Peter Pan.
Unified, exiting a victory going 7 furlongs in the G3 Bay Shore, sat off the pace in his first attempt going long. “I thought he rated as good as you could expect for only having two races,” said Jimmy Jerkens after the race. “I was happy to see that. Jose [Ortiz] did a good job of keeping his hands down and keeping him out off the fence,” he added.
It was an impressive display of professionalism for a lightly raced colt, who kicked clear down the stretch and held stakes winner, and possible Belmont Stakes contender, Governor Malibu at bay under the wire. The victory earned him a spot on the NTRA’s Top Three-Year-Old Poll and opened up a world of possibilities for the future. “He’s a talented horse, he always tries. I think he’s got the competitive spirit you want to see,” said Centennial President Don Little, Jr. after the victory.
The Centennial Farms team was back in force the following afternoon as hard-trying Securitiz made his stakes debut. Exiting a February win at Gulfstream Park, Securitiz stretched out to 1 3/8 miles in the Flat Out Stakes. Facing a tough field, the four-year-old took over the lead, got passed, and re-rallied to narrow the gap on the winner under the line. His second place finish earned him lucrative black-type, designating a top three finish in an elite-level race. In fact, his effort means at least one member of the last three Centennial Farms crops to hit the races has earned that distinction.
Plans for both Unified and Securitiz will be made in coming days as trainer Jimmy Jerkens and racing manager Dr. Stephen Carr evaluate their options. One thing is for certain – their futures look bright!
Just four and a half months in to 2016, Centennial Farms has already exceeded last year’s total wins. We’ll look to keep the success coming with a potentially big weekend coming up at Belmont Park where Unified and Securitiz tackle stakes company on Saturday and Sunday.
Undefeated Unified, brilliant in two starts sprinting, has been installed as the 4-5 morning line favorite in the G2 Peter Pan Stakes. The 1 1/8 mile fixture represents his first attempt at a route distance. Stretching out from 7-furlongs is a big step for a lightly raced horse, but as Don Little, Jr. noted, “Every step that he’s taken has been a big step.” Unified has taken each one thus far with style. “He’s off to a good start, hopefully we can keep the train rolling a little bit,” Little said.
Leading rider Jose Ortiz retains the mount following the duo’s successful partnership in the G3 Bay Shore at Aqueduct.
Securitiz makes his stakes debut in the inaugural edition of the Flat Out Stakes. A marathon at 1 3/8 miles, the race drew a small but tough group. Grade 1-placed stakes winner Elnaawi has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite. Securitiz, coming off a game victory at Gulfstream Park in February, is 8-1 with Joel Rosario board.
“He’s been a nice horse. He’s been a very consistent horse for us. He’s only won two but he’s been right in it,” said Little, adding “He tries hard every time.”
The G2 Peter Pan goes as the ninth race of an eleven race card on Saturday at Belmont Park with a scheduled post time of 5:45. Sunday’s Flat Out is the featured eighth race on a nine race card to close out the racing week. Post time is 5:13. Both races can be streamed live on NYRA.com.
Securitiz (inside) and Unified (outside) breeze together on May 8 in preparation for their stakes engagements.
Don Little, Jr. discusses the weekend’s races, Juba, and more, beginning at the 1:27 mark.
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!
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.
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 Candy Ride colt makes up the asset in the 2014 Union City, LLC. Minimum investment in this partnership is $26,000 for five percent interest which has a total cap of $520,000. Expenses would be paid through the end of 2015. The Jockey Club has accepted the name Unified for this colt.
Please contact the office for more information or click on the partnership on the left column.
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