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DEL MAR, Calif. – Richard’s Kid, winner of the 2009 and 2010 Pacific Classic and a leading contender for the 2012 running on Aug. 26, was sold privately Saturday and transferred from trainer Bob Baffert to Leandro Mora, according to a person familiar with the transaction.
A 7-year-old, Richard’s Kid was acquired by a partnership that includes Mark Verge’s Westside Rentals, Dave Kenney, and Triple B Farms. The horse was sent across the Del Mar backstretch to Mora’s stable by the evening.
Richard’s Kid is considered a leading contender for the $1 million Pacific Classic along with the Baffert-trained Game On Dude, winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup last month.
Mora is normally the chief assistant to trainer Doug O’Neill, but will have the role of trainer of O’Neill’s stable for a 40-day period beginning Sunday while O’Neill serves a suspension for a total carbon dioxide overage in 2010.
[Complete coverage of racing at Del Mar: News, PPs, and video]
Richard’s Kid previously raced for Zabeel International of Dubai. When Richard’s Kid won the 2009 Pacific Classic, he was owned by Arnold Zetcher. Zabeel acquired Richard’s Kid privately in the winter of 2009-10. After a win in the 2010 Goodwood Stakes at Hollywood Park, Richard’s Kid was sent to Dubai, where he raced in 2011 and earlier this year, going winless in five starts.
A winner of 11 of 35 starts and $1,986,360, Richard’s Kid was second in the Hollywood Gold Cup last month.
Verge has played an increasingly prominent role in Southern California racing in recent months, since joining Santa Anita as chief executive officer in March.
- reporting by Steve Andersen and Jay Privman
"Mora is normally the chief assistant to trainer Doug O’Neill, but will have the role of trainer of O’Neill’s stable for a 40-day period beginning Sunday while O’Neill serves a suspension for a total carbon dioxide overage in 2010." SERIOUSLY....IS THAT HOW A SUSPENSION IS SERVED....???
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Well, why do Baffert's superstars have mysterious problems? Hmmm? Knida like Uncle Mo a few years ago...stop kidding yourself: ALL the top money earning trainers are using an edge. There's a reason why the O'Neaill camp would name a horse, "Know More" - kinda rubs it into Baffert's face doesn't it? I just hope RK winds up in a nice place when his running days are done. He's certainly earned a nice retirement. Wouldn't a huge upset be nice? Go, Go-go, Drysdale and the filly!!!
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How can you buy this horse with this race still in mind and not of thought who is going to ride? Victor has ridden John Scott his last two races, Baffert says if Bejarano stays on RK then he is on Jaycito. What is left from the top ten? Maldonado, Pedroza, JJ Hernandez or Nakatani. Wait always Super Mario to save the O'neil barn. The final answer is Bejarano will you please ride the winner for us? Of course I will.
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For those who think Mike Smith might get the mount..forget about it. Smith will be in NY this weekend, Antigun in the Travers.... and Royal Delta in the Personal Ensign (same day as the PC)
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Bob Baffert is the best trainer in America
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Shows you how bad some owner's want to win a grade 1 or bc race that they will give a horse to a trainer with a shady past.With all the top guy's around in cali they go to a trainer like this.The game cannot clean up by it's self.
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Personally dont care for Baffert as a man....But I really feel sorry for the groom, exercise rider and all the help that put in the labor on this horse....They probably will lose out on alot of money if this horse wins the classic....The old owners should take care of these people out of the sale money!!!
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5-1 would go a long way as to recouping that large win bet you said you were making in the Gold Cup on RK
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This is wonderful news for those of us who plan on betting Richard's Kid to win in the Pacific Classic. With Mora listed as the head trainer and probably Mike Smith instead of Bejarano as jockey, his odds will be at least a full point higher.
Game on Dude: 3-2
Suggestive Boy: 7-2
Rail Trip: 4-1
Richard's Kid: 5-1
Dullahan: 6-1
Where's Sterling: 8-1
Four or five other runners with double digit odds
So another 5-1 on Richard's Kid in the Pac Class. What a gift!! As for the exacta, I would go with Richard's Kid over Dullahan and Where's Sterling.
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I have a strong feeling that the only reason Richards Kid was purchased was to give the O'Neill barn a chance to run in the Breeders Cup Classic, the Dubai World Cup and other major races, since their main star IHA is out. I guess (according to the Bloodhorse article) they want to make Mario G. Richards Kid main jockey, and I honestly don't see anything wrong with that. but I do hope they stick with Bejarano for the Pacific Classic...
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