Dragon Pulse lands his first group 2 win in the Futurity Stakes for Jessica Harrington at the Curragh
The 2-year-old son of Kyllachy, Dragon Pulse, took on a field of 8, under jockey F M Berry, for trainer, Mrs. John Harrington, in the Group 2 Galileo European Breeders Fund Futurity Stakes at the Curragh on 20 August, 2011.
The colt dented the hopes of a few runners on the field to win the Curragh's seven furlong dash, and by doing so, he earned a 25 to 1 quote to win the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas next year.
Dragon Pulse was stepping up to the seven furlong distance for the first time in his 1-year racing career which consists of 3 races, with 2 maiden stakes attempts.
With the likes of Astrology, who is considered to be the leading colt to sweep up the Derby next year, and the speedy David Livingston, Dragon Pulse wasn’t intimidated on the field one bit and bravely took on the seven to bring home the Futurity Stakes.
Parish Hall gave Dragon Pulse a little more trouble than expected, as the two rallied for the title before Dragon Pulse rested his competition to bed without any problem, running an extra furlong to see him off.
Astrology rolled in and finished third.
The Group 2 Futurity Stakes is considered to be a tough race as it has been won by some top runners off late, with the likes of Aidan O’Brien trained Cape Blanco, Oratorio, Hawk Wing, Teofilo and New Approach.
Trainer Jessica Harrington was able to win the race last year with her runner Pathfork as she did this year with Dragon Pulse.
Last year, after winning the Futurity Stakes, she pointed her colt to National Stakes and that is what she is probably going to do with Dragon Pulse and head back at the Curragh next month.
The winner’s previous two runs came over a distance of six furlongs, and he succeeded in one outing out of two.
The first one was at the Curragh on 3 June, 2011, where he participated in the hope of breaking his maiden in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund 2yo Maiden, contested on a distance of six furlongs.
Dragon Pulse got narrowly defeated by the 7 to 2 favourtie, Aidan O’Brien trained Vault by a head.
The colt under Shane Foley, chased leaders in the beginning because for a furlong and half he was held back, but he improved to dispute for the lead after the 3 furlong mark.
Remaining steady till the final furlong and giving his level best, Vault was too good on the day and hit the wire before Dragon Pulse by a mere head.
Dragon Pulse might be supplemented for the National Stakes next month, although it all depends on the condition of the ground.
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