Seize The Grey is a Stand Out

Seize The Grey (formerly Smart Shopping '21)  

Gr/Roan Colt  (Arrogate x Smart Shopping - Smart Strike) - Going to D. Wayne Lukas - KY/NY  Foaled April 20, 2021

MOST LIKELY TO BE A LATE BLOOMER 

Seize The Grey. Even though his pedigree speaks volumes, our Arrogate son at first seemed to be a bit of a Baby Huey compared to others in the training ranks, and a bit on the smaller side. He had blinkers employed in his initial training to help keep him focused and was identified as a 2YO who needed to work on building more strength. He reminded us very much of this scene from the movie, Secretariat.

But...

Since taking his break around the holidays, his trainer mentioned he's been growing a lot and advancing well in his training. We observed a video of his first speed work and were very impressed with what we saw once he was asked to run. He appears to be a colt who will need a bit more time to mature and prosper--not unlike his legendary sire, Arrogate. This guy is headed to the GOAT (Greatest of all Time) trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, who trained another Arrogate offspring --the filly Secret Oath -- to win the 2022 Kentucky Oaks last year (the Kentucky Derby for fillies held the day before the Derby). We anticipate that he, like his sire, will show his full potential later in his career...but he could totally surprise us. 

Our Take

This guy was a bit of a clown, playing with the lead chain and making faces for most of the time in the walking ring. He was calm, cool and collected, and didn't exhibit any of the pinned ears or bared teeth behavior that a couple of his stablemates did, and seemed perfectly happy just to doze quietly. He was, in a phrase, a joy to watch. He's grown a lot and caught up to most of the other 2YOs, and his lovely rose grey coat and blaze really made him stand out. Along with a couple of the others, he's developed into a bit of a buzz horse. A lot of people were there to see him in the flesh. We think he may be a late starter, but he has been rapidly advancing in his recent training, and trainer Ciaran Dunne truly surprised us when he identified Seize The Grey as one of his favorites.

Below are photos taken by us or one of the other partners and credited if known.

Seize The Grey being a clown
(Photo by Jennifer Reed)

Seize The Grey in the Ocala OBS walking ring

Seize The Grey in walking ring

Seize The Grey in OBS walking ring

Seize The Grey napping in his stall

Seize The Grey saying hello
(Photo by Shelley Wing)

Seize The Grey in Ocala
(Photo by Cheryl Denton)

Seize The Grey exercising on the OBS training track
(Photo by Cheryl Denton)

Seize The Grey head and shoulders
(Photo by Jennifer Reed)

Enchante '21 has been Named Simply Enchanting

We're very pleased to announce our Nyquist daughter formerly tagged as Enchante '21 has now been named Simply Enchanting.

We're just waiting for AJC confirmation after the Presidents' Day holiday to update Equibase with her new name, and then we'll be changing her page tab (above) and all her labels to reflect her official name, as we have with the past horses who have been officially named.

Looking forward to a simply great year ahead with Simply Enchanting. 

David with Simply Enchanting in Ocala for the 2YO Showcase

 

Sarrocchi '21 Begins Process for his Official Name

Maybe we should just name this Sarrocchi '21 Week here on Rising Star TBs, because this guy is getting a lot of buzz of late.

In addition to the excitement with the Ocala 2YO Showcase and his trainer, Richard Mandella, stopping by the farm to see the colt last week, Sarrocchi '21 is now beginning the process to get his official registered name! (Sarrocchi '21 is his temporary tag, which is the name of his dam plus the year he was born.) 

What name will we be tossing into the hat? This one >>> 

Just Another Star

This suggestion gives a nod to his sire, Justify, and to his dam who is a daughter of Galileo - an astronomer. We have no idea if our name will be one of those chosen for the Sweet 16 round, but we'll let you know. We haven't had a name chosen yet, but there's always a first time! 

Here's the timeline for the partnership to choose his permanent name:

We'll keep you posted as the process continues. 

Let's Start with Sarrocchi '21

Since Sarrocchi '21 is already getting a lot of coverage this week, let's start with the son of Triple Crown Winner Justify -- and grandson of super Euro sire, Galileo.  

Here's the video introducing Sarrocchi '21 done by MyRacehorse, and what probably caught our eye at the start. 

For each of the six 2YOs we observed, we've assigned a title and description, followed by our person observations of the horse from our time at the 2YO Showcase in Ocala. 

Here we go...

Sarrocchi '21  

Chestnut colt with star  (Justify x Sarrocchi - Galileo) - Going to Richard Mandella - California - Foaled Feb. 26, 2021

BEST SHOT AT THE TRIPLE CROWN

Sarrocchi '21, who's sire, Justify, won that last Triple Crown is siring some big runners in his first crops to race in 2022 and 2023. He also has a black type stakes winning dam who is sired by the late, great Galileo -- champion European stakes horse and 12 time leading sire. Galileo passed in 2021 with the world record of producing 92 Grade/Group stakes winners, including the "Highest Rated Racehorse in the World," champion Frankel. Definitely a genetic recipe for potential success. 

Sarrocchi '21 is training very well at Wavertree in Ocala, Florida. When trainer Richard Mandella saw him for the first time in mid-February, he was reportedly very impressed with his future runner, and quipped that now he'd have to decide whether to point him toward the Kentucky Derby or the Epson Derby being out of a daughter of Galileo.

Our Take

Sarrocchi '21 is a lovely chestnut with a pedigree to impress, and a Hall of Fame trainer who seems really upbeat about his potential. He seems to be a straightforward horse to train and a gentleman to be around. Being involved with a son of Justify from one of his first crops is a true honor for us, as we were huge fans of the undefeated Triple Crown Winner. What's not to like about this guy? 

Photos of Sarrocchi '21 from the 2YO Showcase in Ocala on February 18, 2023

A few shots of Sarrocchi '21 taken by us or our fellow partners. The photographer is accredited if the photo was not taken by us.

Sarrocchi '21 on the Ocala OBS training track
(photo by Jennifer Reed)

Sarrocchi '21 in the Ocala OBS walking ring

Sarrocchi '21 during the 2YO Showcase

David with Sarrocchi '21 at the 2YO Showcase at OBS

Sarrocchi '21 in the OBS walking ring
(taken by Jennifer Reed)

News on Sarrocchi '21!

We wanted to catch you up on an exciting updated on one of our 2YO partnership colts, Sarrocchi 21 (Justify x Sarrocchi by Galileo). 

Hall of Fame Trainer Richard Mandella made a trip to the farm to see Sarrocchi '21 late last week, and said, "I looked at the Justify colt and he's very nice looking. My dilemma is: Should I train him for the Kentucky Derby, or the Epson Derby, being out of a Galileo mare." 😃 

Mr. Mandella was able to view Sarrocchi '21 working on the grass surface at Wavertree and he commented he was very impressed with the work and their outfit. He also commented that he expects the colt to be shipped to his stable in California sometime in April. 

Sarrocchi '21 is one of the 2YOs we saw in Ocala over the weekend, so we'll be posting our photos and thoughts soon. 

You'll also be hearing more about Sarrocchi '21 in the next few days, because the process to officially name the colt starts today!

Trainer Richard Mandella with Sarrocchi '21 at Wavertree, Ocala

Q&A (was) Live from Ocala - Feb 18. 2023

Question and Answer from Ocala during the 2YO Presentation Event

2YO Viewing in Florida!

We've been quiet over the weekend because we did a whirlwind trip to Ocala, Florida to see ALL SIX of our 2YOs currently training there! MyRacehorse sponsored this special event held at the Ocala Breeders Sale grounds where we were able to view Lady Blitz, Secret Crush, Seize The Grey, Enchante '21, Sarrocchi '21 and One More Night '21 all in one place. 

The event began in the grandstands at OBS that overlooked their one mile training track. This was the 2YOs first exposure to a large grandstand crowded with people, and they all handled it like pros. Sarrocchi '21 probably showed the most reaction to the crowd with a bit of ear flicking and looking, but it didn't impact his exercise. 

Afterward, the horses were walked off the track and cooled out then brought to the gorgeous OBS walking ring (pictured below) for photos and observation by the owners. Last, they returned to their stalls for some up close, one-on-one with the owners. 

In between the walking ring and barn visit, we were served box lunches and beverages. MyRacehorse also gifted each owner with a pin of the MyRacehorse jockey silks and we were each given a free photo of the horse of our choice (Lady Blitz and Seize The Grey). A gift shop with photos, t-shirts, hats, and other items bearing each of the horses' names was also on site and very popular with the owners.

While there, we were also very privileged to have a 20-minute chat with MyRacehorse US Racing Manager Joe Moran to ask some questions about how the yearlings are paired up with their individual trainers. He was happy to talk with us and very informative about their process. Great info! David also was able to talk directly to trainer Ciaran Dunne of Wavertree (who trains five of the six 2YOs present) and ask him questions.

We'll post more later, and we've definitely got a week's worth of photos and information. We can't wait to give you our impressions of The Six.

The Ocala Breeders Sale grounds and walking ring