McGaughey hoping Point of Entry lands his sixth straight victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf
The 4-year-old Dynaformer colt, Point of Entry, ran his winning streak to 5 when over a soft surface, which his connections thought that he didn’t like, won the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic by 1 ¾ lengths at Belmont Park on 29 September, 2012.
Conditioner Shug McGaughey has all the confidence he needs in Point of Entry, which prompted the veteran trainer to ship his colt to Southern California, where he will find the turf firmer while running for the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
“I was very proud of his race, because I thought he was able to overcome not the best racing scenario and soft ground that I don’t think he was particularly fond of,” McGaughey said.
Under jockey John Velazquez, Point of Entry was pegged back early on to track the leaders, but it had been difficult on the yielding surface to overcome the fast fractions set on the day, but Phipps Stable’s Point of Entry showed his class and downed his third consecutive Grade 1 race.
Out of Seeking the Gold mare Matlacha Pass, Point of Entry started his winning streak at Keeneland, where he won an allowance race over 1 ½ miles.
Staying at Keeneland, Point of Entry over the same distance landed his first graded stakes victory when he defeated, Tahoe Lake for the second time to win the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes.
John Velazquez, who is the colt’s usual jockey, was unable to ride Point of Entry in the Grade 1 Man O’ War Stakes at Belmont Park, but it didn’t matter much, as J. Lezcano guided Point of Entry home to extend the winning streak to 3.
Velazquez back on at Saratoga and the duo at about 1 ½ miles looked extremely good in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes.
McGaughey is not only looking for an Eclipse North America’s champion male turf horse title, but if Point of Entry puts up a strong show in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, the trainer is hopeful that it will put his horse in discussion for the Horse of the Year title.
“I think that should be looked at,” McGaughey said. “We’ll see how he does in the Breeders’ Cup, but I think with his winning streak and how dominant he has been in some of his races that an Eclipse Award should be in his sight if he makes a decent effort out there.”
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