Sweet Ducky to Russia with Love and Loathing
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Zipse’s Kentucky Derby Daily – Day 52
One of my
favorite dark horses for this year’s Kentucky Derby is long gone, literally.
It has been reported that Sweet Ducky has already been flown out of the country after been sold by owner’s
George and Lori Hall to Ramzan Kadyrov, the president of Chechnya, for an
undisclosed sum. The selling price, described as only ‘a lot of money’, will be
put to an almost immediate test. Job one for the son of Pulpit will be to
compete in the $2 million U.A.E. Derby in eleven days.
Win or lose
in Dubai, do not expect to see Sweet Ducky back to run in America. While
Kadyrov has become an influential owner in the last few years, running such
horses as last year’s Dubai Duty Free runner-up Bankable and 2009 3rd
place finisher in the Melbourne Cup, Mourilyan, he has yet to send any of his
horses to run in the United States.
So while
Sweet Ducky jets off across the globe to run for a man accused of numerous
human rights violations, American fans are left wondering whether we will ever
see him again.
Sweet Ducky
first attracted my attention last summer at Monmouth Park. A sharp win against
the highly thought of duo of Curlinello and Astrology in the Garden State
Stakes in his first two-turn race put him on my radar. A return win in the
Seton Hall made me think he was one of the best juveniles in the nation that
few were talking about. A failed attempt at the bullring of the Delta Jackpot
was a setback, but some horses just do not do their best on a track like that.
This year,
he only ran once, and it was a very promising performance. In the January 30
Holy Bull Stakes, Sweet Ducky faced an excellent field. Holding his own against
the likes of Dialed In, Gourmet Dinner, and Mucho Macho Man, the bay, Kelly Breen
trainee looked every part of a Kentucky Derby contender. Now we will never
know.
Farewell
Sweet Ducky. I was a fan. Best of luck to you in your big race next week, and whatever
your future may hold. As for your new owner, well, I was taught if you have
nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all ...
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