Interesting quotes from Dollase on his expensive first-time starter today
DiscreetCat
Moderator
from Daily Racing Form:
Its easy to understand the excitement surrounding the first-time starter Grip Hands, who runs in Sundays third race, a six-furlong maiden race.
The colt, purchased for a hefty $500,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida sale of 2-year-olds in training earlier this year, has worked quickly for his debut and has exceptional breeding. He is by top sire Giants Causeway and is out of Smokn Frolic, an eight-time stakes winner and millionaire earlier in this century.
Hes a nice colt, and it looks like a good spot for us, trainer Craig Dollase said. Were looking to stretch him out, but this is a good place to start.
I wouldnt be surprised if he wins, Dollase said.
Dollase trains Grip Hands for the West Point Thoroughbreds partnership. The colt has worked steadily since late September, including a half-mile in 47 seconds from the gate Wednesday, the fastest of 36 recorded works at the distance.
Grip Hands is part of a field of six that features four first-time starters. Trainer John Sadler starts Seeking Solace who is by Seeking the Gold, Gary Mandella starts the Indian Charlie colt Stock Option, and Bob Baffert starts Tokubetsu, a colt by Congaree who has recorded quick works in recent weeks.
Its easy to understand the excitement surrounding the first-time starter Grip Hands, who runs in Sundays third race, a six-furlong maiden race.
The colt, purchased for a hefty $500,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida sale of 2-year-olds in training earlier this year, has worked quickly for his debut and has exceptional breeding. He is by top sire Giants Causeway and is out of Smokn Frolic, an eight-time stakes winner and millionaire earlier in this century.
Hes a nice colt, and it looks like a good spot for us, trainer Craig Dollase said. Were looking to stretch him out, but this is a good place to start.
I wouldnt be surprised if he wins, Dollase said.
Dollase trains Grip Hands for the West Point Thoroughbreds partnership. The colt has worked steadily since late September, including a half-mile in 47 seconds from the gate Wednesday, the fastest of 36 recorded works at the distance.
Grip Hands is part of a field of six that features four first-time starters. Trainer John Sadler starts Seeking Solace who is by Seeking the Gold, Gary Mandella starts the Indian Charlie colt Stock Option, and Bob Baffert starts Tokubetsu, a colt by Congaree who has recorded quick works in recent weeks.
Comments
Grip Hands, meanwhile, worked a furlong in 10.3 @ the Fasig-Tipton sale, two ticks off the show's best. Obviously he was very highly-regarded at the sale regardless, bringing a cool half-million, but this Congaree colt could give him a battle here.
The Baffert horses got a jump on the rest and finished 1 & 2. #1 Free Pourin out finished the #5 Tokubetsu .
the #4 Grip Hand was not a factor and fell back to finish a distant 5th.
I guess Baffert was ready to get the ceremonial crap over with early. You know how he hates the publicity. LOL