03/10/2012 7:48PM

Gulfstream: Shedding blinkers for Swale pays dividends for Trinniberg

By Mike Welsch
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Bob Coglianese
Trinniberg, racing without blinkers while ridden by Willie Martinez, uses his speed to capture the seven-furlong Swale.

 HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -   After breezing Trinniberg prior to his start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint, jockey Willie Martinez suggested to trainer Bisnath Parboo that they take the blinkers off the speedy colt. Four months later, Martinez’s advice paid big dividends when Trinniberg cruised to an easy six-length victory over 45-1 outsider Hello Prince in Saturday’s $150,000 Swale at Gulfstream Park.  Ever So Lucky finished third as the 6-5 favorite.

Martinez did not ride Trinniberg to his seventh-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup. But he was aboard the 3-year-old son of Teuflesberg for the first time in the Grade 3 Swale and rated the winner to perfection.  Martinez allowed Trinniberg to use his abundant speed to gain a short advantage in the run down the backstretch but kept more than enough in reserve for the pair to draw off readily once settling for the drive.

Hello Prince chased the winner from start to finish, outlasting Ever So Lucky by a length to be second.  Silver Menace, Good Morning Diva, Bahamian Squall, Quick Wit, Motor City, Seve, and Musical Flair completed the order of finish.

Trinniberg, who finished second in the Grade 1 Hopeful and Grade 2 Nashua at 2, covered seven furlongs in 1:21.69 over a fast track and paid $17.20.

“Taking blinkers off and running him in the Swale have been the plan since the Breeders’ Cup,” said owner and stable manager Shivananda Parbhoo. “We knew we were in trouble when he worked before the Breeders’ Cup. He just wasn’t Trinniberg, so we sent him to the farm and gave him time off. This race was the perfect spot for him and the plan since November. And taking the blinkers off made a big difference, he really relaxed out there.”

Parbhoo said he has nothing picked out for Trinniberg’s next start.

“We might try to send him a mile or longer, who knows, we may go crazy,” said Parbhoo. “Right now I’m not ruling anything out.”

Martinez, who earlier this winter came down from Tampa to win the Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff Sprint with It’s Me Mom, said he’s not sure how much farther Trinniberg will carry his speed.

“I don’t know how far he’ll be able to go, but he’ll get there quickly.”

Trainer Jonathan Sheppard said he was pleased with Ever So Lucky’s 3-year-old debut.

“We are very happy,” said Sheppard. “Obviously you like to win but we hadn’t really been training him for speed like that. We’re been trying to get a good bottom under him for longer races.”

   

 

Anonymous More than 1 year ago
This family is proving to be very good at developing winners. Their work with Giant Ryan has been phenomenal. I encourage folks to watch how this horse gallops out - so full of himself. It's everything you want to see in a colt in terms of his disposition. He was pretty good last season as an over-achieving 2yo, but the difference between last season and this season is night/day. I don't know if he can carry his speed the classic distances, I haven't looked that closely at his pedigree. I plan to now, because that 300-1 price is looking awfully intriguing. Look at the fractions he busted out in this race, while completely within himself (unlike last season, when he was showing raw speed). I love the way he was preening in his gallop out. Who is to say he won't move forward and that would be scary. Great job to the trainer and his family. Much respect.
OwenJ More than 1 year ago
Trinniberg appears to be a nice little middle-distance horse who seems suited by races up to a mile. Handily beat some overmatched foes in the Swale.
OwenJ More than 1 year ago
Hey Guys, I told you so about Creative Cause! He rated well behind true speed and ran out an easier winner in the San felipe than the margin of victory suggested. He ran out well and there's no doubt he's the real deal for the next major West Coast prep race and once he wins the Santa Anita Derby and remains sound, he will be horse to beat in the Derby come the first Saturday in May. At this stage I don't see Union Rags beating him going 10 furlongs. Hansen is not a threat going the Derby distance. Again, once he remains sound Creative Cause is my firm choice for the Run for the Roses!
Lorie Crow More than 1 year ago
I ALWAYS SAID THEY SHOULD TAKE THE BLINKERS AND SHADOW ROLL OFF THE HORSE AND HE WOULD RUN A BETTER RACE, JUST WATCHING HIM I COULD SEE HE RUNS LIKE HIS DADDY DID AND TAKING THE BLINKERS OF HIM MADE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE. GLAD TO SEE HIM WIN TODAY...