Profiling the Sunshine Millions: Mucho Macho Man

Mucho Macho Man recently returned to the track after taking a hiatus following the Belmont Stakes. The son of Macho Uno was one of only three colts to run all three legs of last year’s Triple Crown. Although he was not injured, trainer Kathy Ritvo decided to give her charge a break, especially since he was technically younger than most other foals in his crop based on a June 15 foal date. The five month break did the colt a world of good, giving Mucho Macho Man the chance to fill out and grow into his a frame a little more.  In his return race back in November, the big bay colt wired an allowance optional claiming field cruising home 5 ¾ lengths ahead of his nearest competitor.

With that allowance race under his belt, Mucho Macho Man looks to find his way back into the winner’s circle with a score in the Sunshine Millions Classic. The race closed with 19 nominations, but only 14 colts enter the starting gate. Among the other nominees are tough competitors Adios Charlie, Comma to the Top, Decisive Moment, Duke of Mischief, Flat Out, I’m Steppin’ It Up, and Toby’s Corner. Between the seven of them are three Grade 1 wins, three Grade 2 wins, and four Grade 3 wins. Adios Charlie has never finished worse than second, and Toby’s Corner has never finished worse than third. Under the conditions of the race, should all 19 horses be entered in the race, then Mucho Macho Man, Adios Charlie, Comma to the Top, Duke of Mischief, Flat Out, Toby’s Corner, Atoned, Birdrun, and Ron the Greek would all be guaranteed a spot in the starting gate. That makes for quite a tough field for a horse making only his second start after a five month layoff. But this is Mucho Macho Man we are talking about, and he has proved that his name is fitting. Also nominated are Chiseled Light, Decaf Again, Dream Maestro, Imperial Czar, Racing Aptitude, Thunder Ball, Turbo Compressor, and Victory Pete.

Mucho Macho Man likes to run on or near the lead but has not won at a distance greater than one mile and a sixteenth. In order to win the SM Classic, he will need to be able to stretch out his speed to a mile and an eighth against horses that have already proven an affinity for distance. Both Macho Uno and Ponche de Leona, Mucho Macho Man’s sire and dam, were winners at a mile and an eighth, but the colt’s damsire Ponche was a sprinter. Mucho also gets distance from his sire’s sire, the legendary Holy Bull. He also has Mr. Prospector on top and bottom; as well as Nasrullah on top and Northern Dancer, Native Dancer, and Nijinsky on the bottom. Should Mucho Macho Man be able to stretch his speed out in a route, then he will have inherited the best of both worlds.