Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup horse races.Preakness Stakes 2004 Runnerup Rock Hard Ten Now Retired
Posted on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2005
A runnerup finish in the 2004 Preakness Stakes (G1) is one of several triumphs in the impressive career of Rock Hard Ten. Lauded by Hall of Famer jockey Gary Stevens as “the best horse I ever sat on,” the Grade 1 multi-awardee has recently been retired.
Stevens, a horse racing great in his own right, would know what he’s talking about since he rode Rock Hard Ten to victory in the horse’s last four starts. The new retiree won graded stakes in each of these starts, including the 2004 Malibu Stakes (G1), run at a distance of seven furlongs, and the 2005 Santa Anita Handicap (G1), run at a distance of 1 1/4 miles.
Rock Hard Ten would have joined the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) last October 29 at Belmont Park as one of its top contenders. He missed the $4 million thoroughbred championship race at the last minute, due to the discovery of a bruised foot just on the eve of the Classic race.
Under trainer Richard Mandella, Rock Hard Ten is bidding farewell with a blast, boasting a total of seven wins in 11 career starts. These further include the Strub Stakes (G2) and Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G2) in 2005 as well as the Swaps Breeders’ Cup Stakes (G2) in 2004. He retires with earnings of $1,870,380.
Says Mandella, “After his undefeated four-year-old campaign, we are saddened by this decision but felt it was in ‘The Rock’s’ best interest to retire him at this point.”
Rock Hard Ten was retired after the detection of worn cartilage in his left front sesamoid. Owners Madeleine Paulson and Ernie Moody have yet to reveal stud plans for him, but these are under study.
“Given the tremendous interest in him as a stallion prospect, we hope his career at stud will be as great as his racing one was,” adds Mandella.
Rock Hard Ten is the four-year-old son of Kris S. out of French Group 1 winner Tersa, by Mr. Prospector.
"Preakness Stakes 2004 Runnerup Rock Hard Ten Now Retired" was posted on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2005 at 5:38 pm and is filed under Horses, Owners & Breeders, Preakness Stakes, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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