Equivoque (left)
China Horse Club’s Equivoque (Good Magic) made good on the early promise he displayed to Todd Pletcher in the mornings with a stylish debut win at Keeneland on the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. undercard Saturday.
“It is always wonderful to have a debut winner and having one at an elite race meet like Keeneland on a major stakes day just makes it even sweeter,” CHC’s Regional Manager of the Americas Christie DeBernardis said.
“CHC was patient with Equivoque and he rewarded us Saturday with an impressive first-out score. He is a very promising colt and we look forward to what appears to be a bright future.”
Dispatched at 3-1 against a strong field in this seven-furlong test, the flashy chestnut stalked the leaders on the outside through early splits of :22.85 and :46.57. Confidently handled by the nation’s leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr., Equivoque launched a bid turning for home and gamely outdueled the tough favorite Mullikin to win by 1 ¼ lengths.
Todd Pletcher deemed the debut “excellent” and TVG’s Gabby Gaudet said, “Take note of this maiden special weight. I think it is going to produce some very nice horses, including the winner.”
Equivoque was a $325,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling turned $240,000 KEENOV buy last year. Out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Unreachable, the Ontario-bred is a half-brother to Japan’s G1 February S. winner Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid).
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