Big-name owners back Needs Supervision in Silverbulletday Stakes

From the time he first laid eyes on Needs Supervision at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Mid Atlantic 2-Year-Old in Training Sale, Irish-born trainer Jeremiah O’Dwyer noticed something special about her. Purchased for just $55,000, the daughter of Paynter has already proven to be a bargain, and in Saturday’s Silverbulletday Stakes, she’ll have a chance to show just how special she can be.

The acquisition did not come easy, however. Initially O’Dwyer thought that the filly would be a little pricey but when she did not meet the reserve that consigner Hidden Brook Sales placed on her, he was able to buy her privately for $55,000.

“It’s been enjoyable,” O’Dwyer said. “She was an RNA in the ring, and I talked to (pinhooker) Mike McMahon. They had her consigned with Hidden Brook. He asked if I put in a bid and I told him, ‘No she was out of my price range’ so we worked out a deal after the sale and I bought her for $55,000.

"I thought she’d bring a lot more, and obviously she looks like a bargain now, but at the time I loved her. She was one of my favorites at the sale. After that, we just took our time and backed off of her to let her come on at her own pace.”

Needs Supervision had been solely owned by Howling Pigeon Farms throughout her three career starts, but after a five-length romp against winners over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs last time out, some heavy hitters wanted to join the ride. Her original owners now have her in partnership with Sol Kumin's Madaket Stables, Gary Barber and Wachtel Stables.

The Silverbulletday Stakes will mark a stakes debut for Needs Supervision, and a victory would give O’Dwyer the first stakes win of his career.

“We discussed it with the group of owners,” O’Dwyer said. “We were trying to make a plan on where to go with her. This race was high on our list, so we decided to give her a go down here. If all goes well, we’ll keep her down here and maybe run back against next month. A lot will depend on this weekend and how she does.

"I do like it down here, I spent a winter here with Andrew (McKeever). She’s a very nice filly. She’s progressed with every run and we’re looking forward to it.”

O’Dwyer took out his trainer’s license in 2014 and scored his first career win with Aleutian Queen at Belterra Park in September of that year. In addition to Andrew McKeever, he worked for trainers Al Stall, Jr. and Michael Matz as well as prominent 2-year-old consigner Niall Brennan in Ocala, Fla.

“I just wanted to learn all of the breeze-up things, prepping young horses and bring them up and Niall is very good at that,” O’Dwyer said. “Niall always stressed the importance of being at the sale because something good will slip through somewhere.”

Need Supervision slipped through, and now it’s time to see how good she really is.