Shanghai Bobby lucky to keep unbeaten record intact
Whenever a horse maintains the standards, luck automatically turns in his favour. Not closely but very closely, Shanghai Bobby managed to keep himself unbeaten last weekend.
After a nail-biting contest, Todd Pletcher’s charge succeeded in winning the Grade 1, Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita in United States of America (USA).
The son of Harlan´s Holiday reached Santa Anita for the first time after registering four straight victories after different venues. The pressure and expectations were huge. The bookmakers showed great respect to him, awarding the highest odds of 7 to 4.
In the hands of Rosie Napravnik, he started off well. After pressing the leader in second on outer, he managed to take lead two and a half furlongs before the wire. But his life was no easy afterwards. Under M. Gutierrez, Doug O'Neill’s trainee, He's Had
Enough, continued to challenge him in the final stages.
Owned by Starlight Racing, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith, the 2-year-old railed gamely to regain advantage, which he lost for a while. After getting his head front for the second time, the bay and brown colt did not let anyone spoil his party, and ultimately
established his authority.
It was not an easy win though, as he held off He's Had Enough only by a head’s distance. The runner-up, however, claimed the spot easily by two and a quarter lengths.
The extremely close battle has again made it clear that the horseracing is full of surprises, and the punters cannot rely entirely on the odds. Shanghai Bobby’s camp was more than pleased.
“He’s handled everything we’ve thrown at him, from 4 ½ furlongs to 1 1/16 miles,” Pletcher said. “He just keeps coming.”
“He’s all heart, and he’s all racehorse,” Napravnik, a native of Morristown, N.J., said after Shanghai Bobby kept his unbeaten run intact at the top level. “He’s what every rider is looking for.”
Shanghai Bobby, who has now five consecutive wins under his belt including two Grade Ones, is brimming with confidence. It is just a start for the big fellow, and he has plenty more to offer in the coming days.
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