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| Staff Writer |
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As the 149th Preakness Stakes approaches, three horses are set to take center stage at Pimlico Race Course on May 18. Imagination, Seize the Grey, and Mystik Dan are all vying for victory in the second leg of the Triple Crown, with each horse's story offering a unique glimpse into the world of thoroughbred racing.
For "The Avengers," a group of investors led by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and others, spotting talent and building success has been a long-term strategy. Their bid of US$1,050,000 for a son of Into Mischief at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale proved to be a stroke of luck, as the colt has developed into a promising contender. Imagination, the 3-1 second choice, has already generated buzz for his potential and proved himself by finishing a close second in the Santa Anita Derby.
"We try to buy these classic horses and what Imagination has done is a bonus because we feel now is the time when a horse like him can excel," said Tom Ryan, managing partner of the group.
Imagination has a strong record, with a 2-4 win-loss record, including a Group Two victory in the San Felipe Stakes. If he wins the Preakness, he'll be the second Grade One winner from their 2022 yearling sales haul.
Seize the Grey, a gray/roan colt trained by Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and sired by Arrogate, is another horse to watch. Purchased for US$300,000 by MyRacehorse, a fractional ownership app that allows fans to own shares of racehorses for a fraction of the cost, in which the platform allows fans to own shares of racehorses, Seize the Grey was sold as a yearling for $127 per share, offering 2,570 shareholders a 0.02% stake in the horse.
"We syndicate horses to make the dream and thrills of ownership available to everyone," said MyRacehorse founder and CEO Michael Behrens. "It looks like an amazing race and we're really excited to be here."
Seize the Grey has already won his first race at Saratoga and broken through with a victory in the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) on Derby day.
Mystik Dan, owned by Sharilyn Gasaway and her husband Brent's ownership group, 4 G Racing, has also caught attention with his impressive performance in the Kentucky Derby. Despite facing setbacks last year when multiple horses suffered injuries, Mystik Dan's journey began last October when he broke his maiden on his second attempt. Since then, the horse's upward trajectory has been nothing short of thrilling for Sharilyn and Brent Gasaway.
As these three horses prepare for the Preakness Stakes, it's clear that spotting talent and building success requires more than just luck. It takes a keen eye for spotting potential in yearlings, a commitment to developing top-class horses, and a passion for the sport.
The Avengers' investment in Imagination is just one example of how spotting talent can lead to success. Trainer Bob Baffert's ability to identify talent has been praised by his team, who credit his keen eye for spotting potential in yearlings.
As the Preakness Stakes approaches, it's clear that these three horses have what it takes to succeed. With their unique stories and impressive performances, Imagination, Seize the Grey, and Mystik Dan are set to take center stage at Pimlico Race Course on May 18.