Good Magic’s Dornoch Proves Gamest In Remsen Thriller

[Wandering Eyes]

In a race that didn't really deserve a loser, DORNOCH (c, 2, Good Magic–Puca, by Big Brown), all but a beaten horse in the final furlong of Saturday's GII Remsen S., dug down doggedly and fought back inside of 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) to prevail narrowly. The $325,000 Keeneland September yearling, the full-brother to this year's GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage, won the race into the first turn, but expended a fair amount of energy to do so, covering the opening quarter in a demanding :23.09 and the half in :46.97 while hounded by Billal (Street Sense). Ridden along into the stretch, Dornoch had won the pace battle, but would he also win the war? Sierra Leone, a detached last through the middle furlongs, was at a tactical disadvantage given the track profile, but he began to wind up three furlongs out and came six or seven wide into the stretch under a full head of steam. With his early exertions appearing to take a toll, Dornoch drifted in, perhaps brushing with the rail about three-sixteenths out as Sierra Leone kept up with his relentless gallop against the track. His rally carried him into a clear lead with time ticking away, and while it is possible he idled a bit once striking the lead, all credit is due to Dornoch, who refused to lay down and drove through a tight spot to drop his head on the wire first in a finish reminiscent of the 2014 Remsen battle between Honor Code and Cairo Prince. Sales history: $325,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. O-West Paces Racing LLC, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, LLC, Two Eight Racing, LLC and Pine Racing Stables; B-Grandview Equine (KY); T-Danny Gargan.

 

2YO DORNOCH, son of @HillnDaleFarm stallion Good Magic, gets the win in the Remsen (G2) and 10 @KentuckyDerby points under @luissaezpty for @GarganRacing! pic.twitter.com/wNm3rWHGUL

— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) December 2, 2023

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