“Turco Bravo is like a bottle of aging Cabernet. The older he gets, the better he gets. Smooth and mellow, yet very distinct.”
Thoroughbred Trainer, Gary Contessa, used these thoughtful (and wonderfully descriptive) words to discuss his magnificent charge who’d just won the Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga on August 10, 2016. (He covered the 1 3/4 miles in 3:01.17 and returned $4.20 as the favorite.)
This race wasn’t the horse’s first Birdstone Rodeo: in 2015, Turco Bravo came in second in the same race, so this year he came back and was amply prepared (and literally, well-armed) for the 1 ¾ mile race on a profoundly sloppy (albeit, sealed) track at The Spa. A marathon in the mud—only a truly strong horse with great Heart could have run that distance on that surface with such grace and drive.
When last we saw him before the race, Turco Bravo stood in his stall last week: the seven-year-old looked like a prize fighter waiting for his turn in the ring. Hulking, well-muscled and bright of eye, Turco Bravo gave no indication that his age should have anything to do with his ability to barrel down a lake of mud and once again beat all takers. This year’s Birdstone saw a Turco Bravo who’s grown emotionally into his body; that is, he’s buff and built to last–and now that he’s won three stakes since March (his second Stymie, and the Flat Out)—he’s got the fever to win, and win well.
It appears that the thrill of victory has become his personal quest.
The beauty of Turco Bravo is that he’s like a bullet on a mission: he needs and likes a target. Lowering his head, charging straight forward—when jockey Javier Castellano took him four-wide toward rival Desvelo, Turco’s Alpha horse came out and he won the race by a length.
Turco Bravo certainly is an Alpha: when running with the pack, he’s a good race horse. When he’s given a target, however—his eyes get that look, and he’s ready to take over and lead the way. He is a horse who will not be denied. The team of Turco and Javier is a winning combination, for Javier knows the horse’s mind, and has the talent to encourage the horse’s strengths in split seconds, in the heat of battle. It’s that heat of battle that fires up the spirit of both man and horse—and to the focused team that work as one unit—so goes the victory.
“I liked that Castellano had horse at every point in the race,” said Contessa, who also trained third-place finisher Old Time Hockey. “I was feeling confident at every point in the race, but the horse that ran second [Desvelo] really ran hard. You got to tip your hat to him, too.”
“He’s just that kind of horse. This was our idea when we brought him here,” he added. “These South American horses can run [long distances]. It’s a blessing that I get to train him.”
When asked what’s next on the Chilean marathoner, Contessa replied that Turco Bravo, who has already made eight starts this year, could be looking at the Grade 3 Greenwood Cup at Parx Racing.
“In the old days, you could pick a race for this horse easily. Every track had a marathon race. They just aren’t out there anymore. I’m going to have to do my homework. Right now, he gets a rest. He deserves it,” Contessa mused.
One might wonder how the sport of horse racing would benefit, if more Trainers saw their trainees thus —as fine wines who (can) improve with age. Yes, Turco Bravo is a gelding, so he has no stallion prospects. But Gary Contessa’s careful handling of his health and career, and consideration of both owner, Winning Move Stable’s desire, and of the horse’s strengths, love for distance and sheer Heart— have moved this “older” horse into a thrilling, rewarding career.
Arriba, Turco Bravo!
Photo Credits:
Both photos, Copyright, Daily Racing Form.
Photos by Barbara D. Livingston for Daily Racing Form.