Profiles A Sporting Chance March 7, 2018 Profiles A Sporting Chance March 7, 2018 By: R Lynn email Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article On a rainy day similar to the last few, the horses settle in for the evening on the back side at Oaklawn Park. Approximately 1,500 horses call this place home during the race season. They train rain or shine with amazing people, from trainers to grooms, who take care of them. Each horse tries to unlock its potential to do great things, but today, I search out one in particular: a 3-year-old bay colt located in the Royal Glint barn named Sporting Chance. The colt has already traveled many miles from last fall to get to Oaklawn Park. His groom, Lupe, has been with him every step of the way, from Churchill Downs to Saratoga Springs to Hot Springs, and has groomed other greats, such as Will Take Charge. Standing over 16 hands, Sporting Chance towered over his gate when I got to his stall. The assistant trainer, Bass Nicholl, indicated one of the colt’s friends, a barn cat that sleeps in the stall next door. As with many horses, a pony is used to help bring the colt to the track for training. A relationship is born over the many months of training. This colt has plenty of affection for his pony buddy, Starbuck, that has been with him since last year. Along with the specific jobs that a trainer, groom, and exercise rider perform, a farrier is used to tend to the horse’s feet. A horse relies on the farrier to perform his craft to ensure that each step is a good one. Sporting Chance’s trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, uses a blacksmith named Cristian Fuentes, who is originally from Chile. He began working with the Lukas barn two years ago in New York. Sporting Chance wins the G1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga (NYRA/Chelsea Durand) When I first looked at Sporting Chance, he was already a winner, having won the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, a race that Lukas had previously won eight times. Some of the trainer’s most recent Hopeful winners include Dublin and Strong Mandate. Following the Saratoga meet, Sporting Chance had minor knee surgery, after which he was sent to Oaklawn to prepare for the meet. His first race back was the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes on February 19, 2018, which was two days before his actual birthday. With Luis Saez up as jockey, Sporting Chance finished third, earning points for a spot in the Kentucky Derby. The Grade 2 Rebel Stakes on March 17, 2018, is the next target that the Lukas stable has great expectations for, and the race follows a similar schedule that was used Lukas used for Dublin and Strong Mandate. While I was visiting the stable, the Lukas team was preparing a 3-year-old filly for the last race of the day. With the rain falling outside, they continued their duties while I took my photos. Sporting Chance stuck his head outside the stall, and my camera and I were being observed to determine if we were going to be allowed to be friends with him. I wished the barn the best of luck in the last race as they headed to the track. I checked the results later to see how she ran and was excited to see a second-place finish. It didn’t surprise me as I thought of the day’s events. Just as the colt’s name states, I know that this stable always has a Sporting Chance.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More