Drafted Delivering On Promise
Hopes have long been high for Drafted, but it is only now that racing fans are seeing that promise flourish. An obscurely bred gray son of Canadian turf sprinter Field Commission, the previously Godolphin-owned and Eoin Harty-trained 4-year-old gelding is now in the care of trainer Doug Watson for Misty Hollow Farm.
As a juvenile for his previous connections, he broke a track record at first asking, running 900m at Keeneland in 50.45 seconds in April of 2016. Ambitiously spotted at Royal Ascot next out, he ultimately finished 17th of 22 in the Windsor Castle Stakes before returning to America and finishing sixth in Del Mar’s Best Pal Stakes (G2).
Off 16 months and now with Watson, he was 12th in his UAE unveiling on December 7th. That effort preceded two consecutive impressive wins over 1200m and 1400m, with the latter coming at the Carnival on February 1st in dominant style over next-out winner Yalta.
“He’s in great shape,” Watson said. “He had a nice little time between races and has filled out. He’s a taller horse and you don’t see it until you’re up next to him. He does everything right for us and hopefully he’ll improve again Thursday. We’ll let him run at his own speed early in the race and then hopefully he’ll come running again.
“We got him at the Godolphin sale in September,” Watson continued. “He’s been very easy to train and has been very sound for us, touch wood. If he can win a couple Carnival races, hopefully there’s the possibility of the Godolphin Mile with a horse like him. It would be great for the owners.”
By Ritesh Jamkhedkar - ritesh.jamkhedkar@secretariatsworld.com