Mucho Macho Man looking better than ever and he is hungry for more after his recent victory
This time last year, Mucho Macho Man was considered to be the top 3-year-old in the country, and he proved it by placing himself third in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby to winner, Animal Kingdom at Churchill Downs, at about 1 ¼ miles on 7 May, 2011, but the exhilarating contest for sophomore colts is a pretty hectic one, and it takes a lot out of the horses, even if they are the best.
Mucho Macho Man was one of three, who went on to participate in all three legs of the Triple Crown, and naturally his graph went on the decline as he finished 6th in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on 21 May, 2011, at about 1 3/16 miles, and 7th to winner Ruler on Ice in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on 11 June, 2011, at about 1 ½ miles.
He was then off the radar, because trainer, Katherine Ritvo gave the Florida bred son of Macho Uno, out of mare Ponche De Leona by Ponche, rest of the season off to recuperate from the rigours of the Triple Crown.
However, Mucho Macho Man returned to the racing scene in full throttle as he downed an allowance/optional claimer at about a mile on 9 September, 2011, and then he readied himself for his 2012 debut race, the Sunshine Millions Classic.
It was an extremely impressive 1 ½ lengths' victory over Ron the Greek in the 1 1/8 mile test on dirt, on 28 January, 2012, at Gulfstream Park.
“I expected him to run really well on Saturday,” said Ritvo.
The trainer added:
“He was training like a monster. He was so relaxed going into this race. He’s just gotten more serious, more mature and become a better horse since last summer. Although coming down the stretch he was still looking around a little bit waiting on the others, Ramon said he still had some horse left at the end. He thought he ran unbelievable.”
Right now there are no solid plans for Mucho Macho Man regarding his next start, but his connections are looking for a viable option next for the 4-year-old colt, who surprised everyone by earning his career best of 100 Beyer Speed Figure in the Sunshine Millions Classic.
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