I’m sorry, I love it when I’m right. Ever since Gary Contessa introduced me to Manhattan Dan as a two-year-old, I knew the horse had It.
You know “It”: that untouchable something that separates the wannabees from The Real Thing. As a two-year-old, he was big, strapping and painfully handsome. He oozed confidence and brains. The gorgeous son of Big Brown, out of Purely Excessive (In Excess–IRE) is destined for greatness.
And on Saturday, February 27th, 2016, he proved that my intuition still is dead-on.
Now, here’s the thing: as the DRF noted in 2008, Gary doesn’t put a horse on the grass unless he thinks the horse can at least come in in the money. Last summer, during one of Gary’s Clinics at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, an audience member asked Gary if he had any winners to give bettors. Without hesitating, Gary told the crowd that Man-Dan was racing the next day, and that a wager on him no doubt would be rewarded.
Sure enough, the next day Man-Dan raced at Saratoga, and he won. The horse knew that Gary had confidence in him, and I swear, he did it for his Trainer.
So this past Saturday, Manhattan Dan graced the grass at Gulfstream, and again he did not disappoint. His fans knew he’d succeed, long before the horses entered the paddock for the $75,000 5F race or three-year-olds. The morning line odds on him had been 7-2: not quite the favorite, but of course those people in Florida hadn’t experienced him in the flesh yet.
Now they know.
He blew out of the gate like his tail was on fire. Ridden masterfully by the magnificent Javier Castellano , Manhattan Dan took the early lead and never was challenged. He won resoundingly in 54:97, by 5 1/4 lengths, and drew yet-more hearts into his stable of devotees.
I asked Gary for a quote. Gary knows the horse, and even he was a bit taken aback by the horse’s commanding performance:
“Manhattan Dan exceeded even my own expectations in winning the Texas Glitter. It was an incredible performance and he never felt the whip.”
I’m sure that Man-Dan’s Owners–Platinum Seven, LLC; Dan Guarino and Runner Runner Investments, LLC and Breeder, Sanford H. Robbins, LLC–are ecstatic. To have a horse who possesses that much raw power and domination in your stable would stop the heart of even the most hardened soul. I hate the word, “potential,” but surely the horse’s connections knew he had it, all along.
So what’s next for Big Brown’s big son? I nearly jumped out of my skin when Gary told me,
“The game plan is to run at Royal Ascot on June 17th Six Furlongs Turf in a straightaway.”
Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ about: go to Europe, and call on that aforementioned Irish penchant for the turf. His dam gave him speed; her sire gave him centuries of grass experience.
The one turn in a 5F race add distance in terms of physics; I’m certain that that one extra furlong in the U.K. won’t be a big deal for our guy, because all he has to do is run a straight line. A straight line, into the heart of European fans’ hearts–maybe, even, into the imagination of HRH, the Queen.
I call him, “Man-Dan”: wouldn’t that name look great on baseball caps? I am so ready to see Manhattan Dan following in the hoofsteps of another turf horse named, Dan–off the grass, and into history books. Godspeed, safe travel and good health to you, Manhattan Dan. You’re in the best hands with your friend and Trainer, Gary Contessa.
Photo Credit:
Coglianese Photo/Lauren Ring and
Video Credit:
Gulfstream Park