Master Rick against Right to Vote in the Matt Winn Stakes
Richard L. Davis owned 3-year-old colt, Master Rick, and trainer Steven Asmussen would like to forget the troubled trip at Belmont Park, where Master Rick was nowhere to be found near the lead, courtesy a bad start from the gate in the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes.
The Florida bred’s chances were dead of winning the Peter Pan Stakes, when the early leaders maintained a lively pace two carve some impressive fractions over the 1 1/8 mile event, but all in all, his next start should display his talents just right – given he breaks swiftly from the gate, because the Grade 3, $100,000 Matt Winn Stakes for 3-year-olds has pace as well.
The Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes will be run over a distance of 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs on 17 June, 2012, which will ensure Master Rick’s return to the two turn track, where he runs better than one turn. He showed that in the Peter Pan Stakes, where he couldn’t make up lost ground.
The 3-year-old Master Command colt, debuted his racing career at Remington Park in a maiden special weight event over a distance of 1 1/16 miles, but could only manage an unplaced 7th place finish last year.
This year, Master Rick made amends, but still wasn’t good enough to break his maiden at Oaklawn Park where he tried a two turn maiden race again, and finished third.
Seventh again in his third attempt over the same distance and venue, but a change in rider resulted in change in fortunes for Master Rick, who under Corey Nakatani for the first time – bagged the elusive.
Staying at Oaklawn Park, Asmussen realized the chemistry between Nakatani and Master Rick - didn’t mess with the combination, and cut back the duo to 1 mile in the Northern Spur Stakes.
The respected 3-year-old colt, Drill, was the one to beat in the Northern Spur Stakes, and that is exactly what Master Rick did, and closed down the favoured colt to claim the race at Oaklawn Park on 14 April, 2012.
Right to Vote is the morning line favourite for the Matt Winn, and has some serious pace, which will have Master Rick’s work cut out, with his closing abilities at test.
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