Improbable
As he burst clear of a select talented ladened field, Improbable not only raced out of the shadow of his former illustrious barn mate Justify, he extended an argument that he may just be the best dirt horse racing today.
Throughout 2020 the gaze of the wider public on U.S. racing has been dominated by the gifted quintet Tiz The Law, Maximum Security, Tom’s d’Etat, Gamine and more recently Kentucky Derby hero Authentic. But the body of work that is being discretely assembled by the striking chestnut is becoming impossible to ignore.
In racing away from Maximum Security and co by no less than four-and-a-half lengths in the G1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita (USA) over the weekend, Improbable post his third consecutive G1 triumph. A feat only Tiz The Law has achieved this season. The victory stands alongside the G1 Whitney Stakes and G1 Hollywood Gold Cup this season. Reminders that Improbable has not shirked from chasing the best races and best performers of his generation.
“[Improbable] showed a different tactic today, which he showed before when he was two,” said jockey Drayden Van Dyke after the G1 Awesome Again Stakes.
“He used to come off the pace more than usual…He’s been training super, so I was just waiting for the stretch to come.
“It’s awesome, especially for Bob and the owners, everyone involved. I’m grateful for the chance. He’s gotten better and better. He’s a great horse.”
Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert is drowning in talent with Improbable, Maximum Security and Authentic in his care. It was never his intention to have two of his heavyweights clash before the USD6,000,000 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on 7th November but it was unavoidable on this occasion. Post-race, Baffert was pleased with the performance of both his stars and acknowledged it was Improbable’s day.
“I hate to see my horses have to beat the other horse, but ‘Max’ ran gallantly,” Baffert said.
“He fended off the speed but the next one is the big one, but today it was all about Improbable.”
Improbable’s victory was one of three notable wins internationally for the China Horse Club. Prior to Improbable’s heroics at Santa Anita, the Club enjoyed success with Wild Ruler in Australia and Grand Koonta in Singapore.
Wild Ruler
Wild Ruler raced away with the AUD140,000 Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens (Australia) at his first start as a three-year-old, reminding onlookers as to why he has always been held in high regard. The well-bred colt was tried in G1 company as a juvenile and will now be given the chance to replicate the performance of former China Horse Club star Russian Revolution in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes.
Grand Koonta
Grand Koonta, is expected to target the G1 Lion City Cup next month after making an exceptional return to racing. The galloping grey has been well handled by trainer James Peters since coming to the Asian racing centre. In a nine start career he has assembled a record of five wins and four seconds with more than SGD330,000 in prize money to date. Saturday’s SGD100,000 Revolte 2009 Stakes Class 1 (1200m) was a fitting reminder of the explosive qualities of the gelding. Having settled off the pace he powered home to edge out fellow China Horse Club performer Karisto who remains a model of consistency.
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