This is one for the realistic running horse, not a four -legged fantasy by Walter Farley: he has the same record in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) as Hall of Famers Seabiscuit and Cougar II, that is, a victory and two seconds.
He participated in 23 Stakes events, 22 of them rated 1 or degree 2.
His foal crop included Authentic ” Tiz the law ” Honor AP And Swiss skydiver They all retired for a long time in the breeding barn. At the age of 8 he is still, in the language of sport, a ‘whole horse’, which means that he could ever add his considerable class to the Genenpool.
But that’s for later, because Express train Is ready to defy father again on 27 September for the CRK stable of Lee and Susan Searing in the Goodwood Stakes (G1) Santa Anita Park. As a Breeders ‘Cup Challenge Series event, the Mile-and-One-Eighth Main Track Affaire offers the winner a free ride to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) together with the Lion’s share of a $ 300,000 stock exchange. Despite success during his six seasons of Racing, Express Train still has to participate in a breeders’ cup.
Earlier this week, trainer John Shirreffs still cherished in the glow of Baeza The victory for the scores in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) when he was asked to express the secret to the lifespan of Train.
“Talent,” said the trainer. “It is impossible to say what he could have achieved if he could have enjoyed consistent campaigns without interruptions.”
Unie Vodden Strong a dozen races that proved that he was a top layer. They include five large post scores, told by the 2022 Santa Anita Handicap.
Express Train received a well -deserved break, but his return to competition only took a few races before the injury struck again. This time it took 18 months before he returned, in April 2024. Shirreffs has had to tap twice since then and describe the ailments of Express Train as “bugaboli”, which does not train for your affairs. But if his most recent race – a dense third to go 7 furlongs in the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) Sea-Is every indication, Express Train could best bring his 8-year-old to Goodwood.
He will have to be at his game. Godolphin First mission is in the city for Brad Cox, who likes to taste the taste of his upset last month in the Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3), and Full Serrano Returned with a prep Three Bob Baffert 3-year-olds and outsider Gambling Complete the line-up.
But Express Train is entangled during its 27-start career. If he would earn a trip to this year’s Breeders’ Cup in Del Mar, he would return to an surface where he won the 2021 San Diego Handicap (G2) and placed in two other grade 2 races in 2024-25.
Closed In the Santa Anita Handicap and on Soldier In the San Pasqual Stakes (G2). He has already improved on his three starts from 2024, where his best finishes were a few efforts in third place.
When he returned to training in the winter, Shirreffs was very happy to see his constant enthusiasm.
“It was great to have him back. Very satisfactory,” Shirrreffs told the Santa Anita Park Notes team earlier this year. “He is such a handsome horse and has a lot of sparkle for him. Working with that kind of horse is always exciting.”
Especially when that work takes place in six seasons racing.
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