Oaks Post #13: Northern Red(AUS)
Northern Red
Trainer: Jockeymax
Jockey: J. White
Redoubte’s Choice x Storm Cat x Deputy Minister (Game dam Forty Cat)
13 starts, 5 wins, 4 Place, 1 show Earnings: $592,585
There are many ways to make it to the Kentucky track and the Bluegrass Oaks. Some have been pointed to this spot since their breeding was first ‘conceived’. Others had lesser ambitions when they showed up for the first time in their owner’s stable. But all want to get to this spot. Jockeymax, the breeder/owner/trainer of Northern Red (AUS), seized upon a glorious freshman season to point to this race.
Northern Red, a filly whom Jockeymax proudly states is by an Aussie sire Redoubte’s Choice (AUS), began her sim racing life in a non maiden non-winners of 2 allowance race. Though she failed in that race, she came right back and won against maidens. After a fifth place finish in her stakes debut next time out, the Grade 3 Desert Filly Juvenile, she began a streak of winning four of her next six races, with a second place finish in the other two races.
The race that put her on track for the Oaks was her last race of her two-year old season, the Grade 1 Movieland Starlet. In that race she stayed with the leaders, made her move near the top of the stretch and then held off the late challenge from one of her rivals today, super stable’s Forty Red. Other rivals she will be meeting today that have won since that race include Casa Bonita, Papua Theft, and Winning Season. Indeed, that was an impressive win.
After that race Jockeymax knew he had a filly that was up to running in the Bluegrass Oaks. He has been pointing her to this spot since that race. However, the three-year old campaign has not been successful so far for Northern Red. Lightly raced this year she finished in the money in two of her four starts. But, points out Jockeymax, this was by choice, “She has been raced sparingly leading up to this race, to try and have her peaking on the day”. Jockeymax has been planning this race with great detail. He entered her on the turf last time out, using the turf to dirt angle. Says Jockeymax, “I have tried an old method that I’ve used before with success and that’s a surface switch to turf and back.” Jockeymax realizes that turf is not her best surface and discounts the last race. Instead, that race was used to prep Northern Red for the Bluegrass Oaks.
Northern Red has not run past 8.5 furlongs so far in her career. However, Jockeymax believes that she will have no problem getting the 9-furlong distance of the Oaks. Though the first time riding her, jockey J White is more than pleased with his mount for the Oaks. The jockey and trainer are in agreement that the distance will not be a factor for Northern Red. Said White, “I am very excited to be running this horse for Mr. Max. She has worked out wonderfully in the morning and she is ready to race big this week”. To further show that distance will not be a problem Northern Red’s game dam, Forty Cat, is also the game dam to stakes winner Northern Rock. Recently Northern Rock, a four-year old colt by Rainbow Quest, won an 11-furlong stakes race. Getting a distance is in Northern Red’s simblood.
Running out of post 13, Northern Red appears set to run a big race at the right time.