Hansen turned in his final workout and he is all set for his seasonal debut in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park
It will be the first time that the newly crowned juvenile champion, Hansen, will head a field in his brief career, despite the fact he won his previous races by massive margins.
The Tapit colt didn’t head the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, which he eventually went on to win, despite exiting back to back victories in his maiden special weight race with a margin of 12 ¼ lengths at Turfway Park, and at the same venue, in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile at about 1 1/16 miles, with a staggering margin of 13 ¼ lengths.
After his Breeders’ Cup triumph over Union Rags by a head, which eventually helped him nab the top 2-year-old honours for 2011, the newly turned 3-year-old colt is finally given the importance he deserves by being sent out as the favourite in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes on 29 January, 2012, at Gulfstream Park, over a mile on dirt against 5 other newly turned 3-year-old colts.
Hansen is trained by Michael Maker for owners, Kendall E. Hansen and Sky Chai Stable, and he is out of mare Stormy Sunday by Sir Cat.
The Kentucky bred colt has adapted a running style of his own, and so far it has worked right throughout his career.
Hansen’s strength lies in breaking swiftly and assuming the lead right from the outset, and with his ability to outrun the field, Hansen has thus far successfully posted his victories with front running fashion.
“It’s no different than a closer, you’re dependent on the pace. You just hope no one makes him go quicker earlier than he has to,” Maker said.
Hansen capped off his main preparation for his season debut in the Grade 3, $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes, when he turned in five furlongs at Gulfstream Park and clocked it in 59.80 seconds.
The gray/roan colt worked in company with the stakes winning stable mare, Lou Brissie, who timed the run in 1 minute and 24 seconds.
Michael Maker has shown his satisfaction over Hansen’s preparations ahead of his season debut which includes the likes of Algorithms and Consortium, who have done well at Gulfstream Park in their recent races, and the 2011 Florida Stallion Series winner, Fort Loudon, along with the stakes winner, My Adonis also expected to start in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes.
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