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(Louisville, KY – 10-19-21) Each year the Kentucky Downs (all turf) meet produces a couple of two-year-old horses that I follow throughout their racing careers. This year, California Angel won my heart as she broke her maiden in her debut at my hometown track. She ran a similar race to one of my 2020 favorites, Sir Roberto. Both had a terrible start and came from behind to win at first asking. I love it when a baby can overcome those kinds of challenges, especially in their debut. It shows they have determination, talent, and a very good mind.
Sir Roberto did not go on to win again, but California Angel has been a thriller. She was third next out on dirt at Churchill Downs in her first race against winners, and won the $200,000 G2 Jessamine last weekend at Keeneland! So, she is a perfect 2-2 on turf.
But, that’s not all. Not only is the daughter of Kentucky Derby winner, California Chrome, trained by a small outfit, rather than one of the super trainers, she also was a $5500 purchase! Yes, you are reading that correctly. That’s fifty-five hundred. Not $55,000 or $550,000 which is more the norm for a filly headed to…wait for it…BREEDERS’ CUP.
Trainer George Leonard III has a stable of nineteen horses based in Indiana. He does most of his racing there and on the Kentucky circuit. A native of Louisiana, he grew up in the business and has been a horse trainer for thirty years. This is his first horse to compete at this level and he is over the moon excited.When Leonard III selected the filly for his owner Chris Walsh at a 2021 OBS two-year-old sale, he said she looked very well-muscled and strong. But he really loved her eye. He said she seemed mature beyond her age and very level-headed. A good bloodstock agent will always talk to you about the eye. They apparently can look right into the mind of the horse through those big beautiful eyes.
California Angel got no respect from the bettors in her debut as she went off at 28-1. She did not get much more respect in the G2 Jessamine. Wrong and wrong again betting public! Yours truly had a small wager on her across the board in both victories.
Rooting for the underdog is something I inherited from my late father. He loved a good Cinderella story. So, I will be cheering for California Angel with all my heart when she steps on the Del Mar track on November 5th for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf race. Go get ’em girl.
