Hansen’s brilliant juvenile career but a rough start to sophomore season
Hansen, the 'White Lightning' stands out among others every time he races. Other than his roan and grey colour, he has gained attention for all the right reasons since his career began.
The son of Tapit was undefeated as a juvenile and made a name for himself with his skill and talent.
Owned by Kendall Hansen and trained by Mike Maker, Hansen was determined to be a success from the day he started racing. He succeeded in his maiden by defeating, Admiral Nelson, at Turfway Park in September, 2011 with rider Victor Lebron on his back.
The colt kept his composure, and earned a brand new fan-base when he aced the Bluegrass Cat Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes at the same track over the distance of 1 1/16 miles.
Riding in the capable hands of Victor Lebron, he defeated, Fine, and completed the race in 1 minute and 45.83 seconds.
Hansen’s popularity rose when he collected his first Grade 1 win and this wasn’t just any race he had won.
With jockey Ramon Dominguez on his back, he emerged victorious from the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile where he defeated, Union Rags, and completed the 1 1/16 mile course in an impressive 1 minute and 44.44 seconds.
As a result of these victories, he was named the American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.
The colt’s sophomore campaign didn’t go according to pla considering he finished second in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
After a victory in the Breeders’ Cup, he was expected to deliver more but this was commendable enough.
He pulled it together and claimed the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, went on to finish second in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes. His worst performance to date was when he finished 9th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.
Whelped on 23rd April, 2009, Hansen has achieved his fair share of success in his short career thus far.
With earnings of $1,773,305 and an overall record of 5-2-0 in 8 starts, things are looking up from him. He is far from retirement as he is determined to collect more victories.
The colt will race as a favourite in the West Virginia Derby at the Mountaineer Racecourse on 4th August, 2012, and his connections have the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga in mind for the young runner.
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