Before the whirlwind of graded stakes races that took place at Keeneland racecourse in Lexington on Saturday, April 7, a handsome Ontario-bred three-year-old colt made a sharp career debut in the second race of the afternoon.
EQUIVOQUE (equi-voke), born at Saintsbury Farm of Jay and Christine Hayden in Lucan, ON, and owned by China Horse Club, powered to a 1 1/4 length victory over nine rivals in a seven-furlong maiden special weight in time of 1:23.31 for a superb Beyer Speed Figure of 94, according to Daily Racing Form.
The chestnut son of young American sire Good Magic from the mare Unreachable by Giant’s Causeway was sold by the Haydens for $325,000 through agent Bernard McCormack of Cara Bloodstock to China Horse Club and Gandharvi at the 2021 Saratoga Yearling Sale. However, just last November, the colt was re-offered for sale by the partnership and CHC bought him outright for $240,000.
Sent to Todd Pletcher, Equivoque had many strong workouts at Palm Beach Downs this winter and he was 3-to-1 for his opener under jockey Irad Ortiz.
Equivoque’s half-brother Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) won the Group 1 February Stakes in Japan this winter. The mare Unreachable has a two-year-old full brother to Equivoque, a yearling colt by Maclean’s Music, and is due to that sire again.
On Sunday, April 9, the Ontario-bred filly ANCIENT PEACE made her first start for new owners Boardshorts Stable in an off-the-turf allowance race at one mile on the Santa Anita dirt and she rolled to a six-length win in 1:37.10 for an 83 Beyer Speed Figure.
Bred by Sam-Son Farms, the War Front filly is out of the graded stakes-winning Sam-Son mare Deceptive Vision (A.P. Indy) and she was originally a $180,000 yearling purchase at the 2021 Saratoga sale. She was then sold this past January at the Keeneland Horses of All Ages sale for $650,000, coming off a maiden win in December on the Santa Anita turf.
John Sadler trains Ancient Peace.
Canadian Thoroughbred‘s updated King’s Plate and Canadian Triple Crown contender’s list comes out this week.
A magical debut for Equivoque (Good Magic), winning in style under a confident ride from Irad Ortiz!
Thank you to the Pletcher team! The future is bright for this talented colt. 💫🔴🟡 pic.twitter.com/5ByxZvbcxU
— China Horse Club (@Chinahorseclub) April 8, 2023
☮️ Ancient Peace (3yo filly by WAR FRONT) with a stunning performance on the dirt, as she led from the start and was geared down to win by 6 lengths going 1 mile @santaanitapark 🤯
$650K @keenelandsales January 2023 purchase by @HunterRankin. Congratulations to the connections… pic.twitter.com/CLocL83Jzm
— Claiborne Farm (@claibornefarm) April 9, 2023
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