07/01/2012 4:07PM

Turbulent Descent sold, to join Pletcher in New York

By Steve Andersen
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Shigeki Kikkawa
Turbulent Descent, winner of the Desert Stormer at Hollywood Park in her 2012 debut, is a three-time Grade 1 winner and was purchased privately by Coolmore Racing for an undisclosed price.

INGLEWOOD, Calif .- Turbulent Descent, the winner of six stakes in California, Kentucky, and New York, has been sold to Coolmore Racing, Scott Sherwood, a member of the partnership that owned the filly said on Sunday.

A 4-year-old filly who has won 7 of 11 starts and $901,640, Turbulent Descent is scheduled to be sent to trainer Todd Pletcher’s New York stable on Tuesday.

Turbulent Descent won her 2012 debut in the minor Desert Stormer Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park on June 17. Sherwood said on Sunday that negotiations progressed in recent weeks after an unexpected offer was received.

“We were not shopping the horse,” he said. “We had our plans coming out of the Desert Stormer to go to the A Gleam [Handicap on July 14], but all of a sudden something popped out. It was an offer that was so much money you couldn’t refuse it.”

Regarding the details of the sale, Sherwood said the purchase price was private and that “all the documentation has been done.”

Turbulent Descent won three Grade 1 stakes – the Hollywood Starlet Stakes in 2010, the 2011 Santa Anita Oaks, and the 2011 Test Stakes at Saratoga.

“I think everyone feels we had a great experience,” Sherwood said. “We traveled around the country and won a number of Grade 1 races. She was going to be sold at a broodmare sale at the end of the year. That was always in the plans, regardless.”

Sherwood owned the filly through the Blinkers On Racing Stable.

One possibility race for Turbulent Descent this summer is the $500,000 Ballerina Stakes, a Grade 1 for fillies and mares over seven furlongs at Saratoga on Aug. 24.

John More than 1 year ago
Lets give Mike Puype a ton of credit for guiding this horse through some tough races and always putting her welfare first, Good Job Mike !
Suzanne Thomas More than 1 year ago
I remember reading the story here in DRF about Mr. Kronfeld and Zenyatta's dam, Vertigineau. "He sold Vertigineux in the fall of 2008 in a private deal with John Magnier of Coolmore Stud. The deal was reached after Kronfeld consulted with Don Robinson of Winter Quarter Farms in Kentucky, where Kronfeld boards his horses. “When I thought the world of finance was coming to the end, in 2008, I talked it over with Donnie Robinson,” Kronfeld said. “I said, ‘I think we have to sell her. There is never going to be the eight-digit prices for broodmares.’ “The odds on her throwing one more [Zenyatta] are astronomical,” he said. “I said I wanted to keep the in-utero foal. John Magnier allowed me to do that. I asked for a number, and there was no negotiation.” It looks like Coolmore is looking for good fillies/mares to add to their broodmare band, and price is no object. What a wonderful thing to have the dough to buy whichever horse you want! Not very many folks have that luxury.
RunningDog More than 1 year ago
This filly was stopping to a walk at a distance. Take a look at her race at Belmont, she was 10 lengths back right after the wire. Any talk about mismanaged is nuts. She is a sprinter and thats it. 7 furlongs was even going to be pushing it against older fillies. She is a very nice filly, not a superstar. She was well managed in her career.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
Turbulent Descent was beaten 3.5L by It's Tricky in the Acorn at Belmont Park, on a gooey muddy track that she clearly did not enjoy, which several horses that day like It's Tricky, Trappe Shot, Ruler on Ice and Stay Thirsty frolicked in it. I was there, and thanks to Mike Beer I hit a $100 TD/It's Tricky exacta box. Turbulent Descent has a reputation of pulling up immediately after the line, she wasn't beaten 10 lengths. In comparison, Royal Delta was beaten an average of 9 lengths in her 5 losses. Royal Delta is 6 for 11 with 2x G1 and 2x G2 wins, TD is 7 for 11 with 3x G1 and 1x G2 wins. They both spot a win rate of about 50% going 2 turns on dirt - 4 for 7 for Royal Delta with 3 losses by a combined 30 lengths, 1 for 2 for TD with a one length loss. We know Royal Delta has a royal distance pedigree, with a 400 Distance Tomlinson Figure for 9 furlongs. TD's is only average at best, in the 280 range - keep in mind that Union Rags' Distance Tomlinson for 12 furlongs is 260 and he won the Belmont Stakes in emphatic fashion. I think Turbulent Descent will be pointed to the BC Distaff. She might not have to face Royal Delta in that race, but if she does, she will get first run and with the short 990ft stretch run at Santa Anita (compared to 1255ft at Churchill) and Mike Smith riding Royal Delta like she's Zenyatta, it's going to be very close.
RunningDog More than 1 year ago
Union Rags won the Belmont in emphatic fashion? The race was slow, a horse who is no good was right with the two favorites. Union Rags is a serious horse, but not at 1 1/2 or probably even 1 1/4.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
That's because you over relied on the Beyer Speed Figure. McPeek was getting nowhere with Atigun at the speed favoring Oaklawn strip (especially so this year due to the warm and dry weather). Atigun got a 89 BSF in the Arkansas Derby riding on Bodemeister's coat tail. He promptly won an allowance race at Churchill after that. What about his BSF? The team at DRF subjectively use the 89 he earned in the Arkansas Derby as a baseline and assigned 89. If you want to be a serious handicapper, use the BSF as a quick glance elimination guide only assuming 15% margin of error - go ahead and assume that a horse that runs 104 BSF will beat a horse that runs 90 BSF at the same distance. Do not apply if the race is at a different distance and surface, if the same do not assume that 99 will automatically beat 90. Then throw out the BSF completely, there are other much more important handicapping angles than the BSF. You would have known that Atigun was a huge overlay and easily the top 3-5 ranked horse in the field in almost all major categories. Probably could have finished 2nd or even 1st if Leparoux had waited one more second before committing 4 wide.
Slew32A More than 1 year ago
Your making $100 exacta boxes and your betting solely on Mike Beer's prognostications? You post here like you have this great insight. What a joke and probably a liar.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
It depends on your perspective. My total bets average $250k a month, so $100 exacta box is chump change. I had already taken a $5000 loss on her in a previous race trying to beat R Heat Lightning., she was the wise guy's pick then I think closer to 2-1. So in the Acorn she was 10-1 because she had already scared off all the wise guys. Come look for me at Belmont Park owner's box E9. You wouldn't even doubt my $5000 loss cause you'll see that on any given day the suit, shirt and accessories I wear cost more than that. I am not showing off nor do I get jealous - when a man reaches a certain level of success and maturity, he doesn't have to do that any more. Everything is relative. I don't have the luxury of throwing $10mil at a broodmare like John Magnier, but I don't have to call anyone a joke or a liar. Don't worry, it's OK to come look for me. I'm always nice. I have a photographic memory. I can recount for you every race that Turbulent Descent and It's Tricky have ever run in, the top 3 finishers, how each race developed, and perhaps even the build-up before each race and the repercussions after.
Slew32A More than 1 year ago
Go BS someone else. You waste hours on here posting your diatribes then you claim your your bank is $250K a month yet your taking Mike Beers picks and boxing a very short exacta only made shorter by the fact that you boxed it. Listen I can care less what you have I've been in the owners box and players club and I've been around people with money and people who have real big money and the common thread is they don't brag about their money.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
I didn't brag about any money. I stated it matter-of-factly. This is not anything that impresses me nor most people I know. You're the one who is clueless about the things I say, cause we're not on the same level. $250k total bets a month don't mean I invest $250k a month in betting horses. For example, if I bet $5000 on Richard's Kid in the Hollywood Gold Cup, I will probably get $15,000 back if I win. When I re-bet $5000 of the $15k winning on another horse, it would raise my total bet to $10k. I only have to find 30x $5k horse and 10x $10k horse a month to reach that target. There are so many races this time of the year. A lot of people can do that easily, maybe even you.
Slew32A More than 1 year ago
Listen, I understand how it works, I told you I'm in the rewards room. I probably even saw or spoke to you. My point was if your spend is that much why would you play Mike Beer's picks. You might as well go to the front of Belmont and get Chuckie's picks.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
I'm not with NYRA Rewards. They don't pay 7% flat like mine does. They pay premium cashback only for exotics, and I bet mostly win, sometimes win place. I threw in the $100 exacta box just for fun. It's hard for me to sit out a race. I had made up my mine that the best bet of the day for me was Trappe Shot in the True North. I was a little annoyed that he was so short but I went all in anyway. Nickled and dimed the rest of the day, don't think I hit another race.
haire75 More than 1 year ago
Flying back and fourth to Calif. After every race,if that Isn't absolutely nuts.I agree 7/8 th's is right down her alley,Turbulent DECENT KNOWS IT'S OVER WHEN HER RIDER STANDS UP,SHE SHUT'S DOWN THE TURBINES,and to say she can't handle older going 7/8 th's .,oviously you're talking about last Nov. Breeders cup.I'VE BEEN IN THIS GAME A LONG TIME,RIDER,TRAINER,RACING Official,Owner,Breeder,and was sickend to see ysuch a talented filly that would have destroyed Michelle Romance had she been trained and managed correctly.She Broke the track record last March at Santa Anita,going a mile and a sixteenth in 1:41.05,quite spectactular,running dog,just in case you missed that,the Santa Anita Oaks..The reason she went from breaking track records and beating the likes of Plum Pretty,Zazu etc.never mind the three grade ones winners she destroyed last week,after a seriously needed rest.DONT tell me Puype did the right thing after flying back and forth ,four major trips in grade one events,then works her every five days for three f-ING months ,preparing for the breeders cup,she was so rubber legged and roared,it was so discusting,thank God,she survived his ignorance. TODD knows as well as any knowledgeable horsemen or woman what she has endered,he'll train her like the filly she is,with finesse.
russell More than 1 year ago
I really like this filly. She not quite a superstar but shes really good. One thing Pletcher will do is get more speed into her. Thats what he does. Puype isnt very good. The 7f Ballerina is always a great race. Now with 500k in the line it should be really special. Bet she sold for around $2.5 mill. Just my guesstimate. I have no inside knowledge.
Junior Jimenez More than 1 year ago
Puype has done a great job with her what the hell are you talking about you fool
chad mc rory More than 1 year ago
russell, God and Mother Nature put speed into horses. Men (and women) can only try to protect them from the wear n tear...
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
Why are you calling Bob Baffert God?
chad mc rory More than 1 year ago
Is that your cogent argument? Gotcher Limey up didn't I, you phony. See Jr, it's easy. If you want Baffert for your god you can have all you want. I would not let him walk my dog.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
That's an injection of humour. Lighten up.
Blaine MacMillan More than 1 year ago
Pathetically mis-managed. Puype is a joke given how he GAVE AWAY the 2011 Kentucky Oaks to Baffert and Plum Pretty, a horse that Turbulent Descent walked over at SA. Instead of training her to get an additional 1/16 of a mile from the SA Oaks to KY Oaks, Puype declared her a sprinter and wrote off the major 2-turn 3YO(F) races. Keep in mind that TD won the SA OAks in stakes record time. In the end, Puype got what he deserved. Notta big Pletcher fan though.
Junior Jimenez More than 1 year ago
Puype is a joke are freakin kidding me. What are you talking about. TD is a sprinter he has done a great job with her. You are an idiot
Blaine MacMillan More than 1 year ago
You're a dunce Junior. She's undefeated at the farthest distance she's ever ran, 1 1/16. Puype is a lover of speed and sprints. He did Turbie a major disservice during her 3yo campaign.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
Well said. Any trainer could do better with this special filly, a 3-time Grade 1 winner yet I cannot shake this feeling that we haven't seen anything near the best from her yet. BTW, if she really needed a confidence builder after the flops in the BC F&M Sprint and the La Brea, most hot walkers would have been able to find a more suitable race for that purpose than the Desert Stormer. In Pletcher's barn for example, it would have been the Vagrancy at Belmont, a Grade 2 that she could have won easily. TD did have a rough trip in the BC F&M Sprint, but she also really should have had a prep. It was horrible strategy planning and coaching in the La Brea not to have her pressing the pace which she is fully capable of, it was an ultra speed favoring day on a usually speed favoring track - the order of finish were 1,2,4,3,6,5,7,8,9 entering the stretch.
Quite A Dude More than 1 year ago
I don't agree. Puype got a lot out of this filly, managed her well and when distances got longer and peers started catching up to her he found another good payday with a sale. I doubt Pletcher will move her up. Let's revisit this thread in six months.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
Despite being a 3-time G1 winner, Turbulent Descent gives off a vibe of a horse that had been mismanaged. She clearly thrived from Oct-Dec 2010 and Feb-Apr 2011 when she was able to put 3 races together. Why the long breaks after each race after that? Obviously it didn't work. I'm not particularly a great fan of Todd Pletcher, but I think most other trainers can do a better job than Mike Puype with this horse. I am also not fully convinced that Turbulent Descent couldn't be effective over a route of ground. She was beaten 1.25L by Zazu after a layoff going two turns and 1 mile in a G1 at Santa Anita, but came right back to beat Zazu a month later going 8.5f, half a furlong longer. Both times she endured a below average and an average ride from David Flores. Either Castellano or Johnny V will be a huge upgrade. Out of an AP Indy sire and a Forestry dam, she is bred to go at least 9 furlongs. She beat Plum Pretty handily going 8 furlongs and 2 turns in February of last year, and beat Zazu by a half length going 8.5f in the Santa Anita Oaks in which she struck the front at a 1:10:3/5 6 furlong mark. I really don't understand how they suddenly determined that she's a pure sprinter only. I would not be surprised at all if the target race for Coolmore and Pletcher is the Personal Ensign at Saratoga, now being run at 9 furlongs, with a 2-turn prep race before that, perhaps Molly Pitcher at Monmouth or something similar. The purchase price has to be a million or two below the $8mil paid for Royal Delta. With wins in the Personal Ensign, Beldame and the BC Distaff, they'll get back half of it. Being a Congrats dam, Coolmore will turn a profit with her within 3-5 years with those Galileo/TD offsprings. A sound investment!
Junior Jimenez More than 1 year ago
You are an idiot. Puype has done what wrong with this horse. Look at her record you moron. She is a sprinter . Get off of here and go troll somewhere else
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
We have presented our points in cogent arguments. Did you grow up in a country that values individual opinions? You should learn to use the English language properly before you participate in a public forum.
chad mc rory More than 1 year ago
Hey Grass, Now that you've jumped all over Junior lets look to see if you have not answered your own question. 'Why all the layoffs?' Why do you think Grass? Why do you think she's had layoffs? N Jr, don't let these jokers get to you. !Buen Suerte!
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
It was by design - in this case, mismanagement.
Blaine MacMillan More than 1 year ago
So you work for Puype huh Junebug? Get a life and learn the art of debating without hating.
RunningDog More than 1 year ago
million or two below Royal Delta. Are you on drugs? Royal Delta is a champion eclipse award winner who looks the part of a star when you see her.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
The figure was about $5-6 million. I have a great feel when it comes to stuff like this. I have a solid background in combined cycle requisition (industrial gas turbines and steam turbines) and disbursement of venture capital, all $100+ million projects.
RunningDog More than 1 year ago
What was your figure on I'll Have Another from the KY Farms.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
$25mil plus minus 25%.
RunningDog More than 1 year ago
OK you are completely lost. I know the number and you are off by over 20,000,000.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
You are truly a running dog. Since it couldn't possibly be $5mil, you meant to tell us that Kentucky farms offered to I'll Have Another for $45mil? No way no how. $45mil is about Curlin and Lookin at Lucky sold for, and those are Smart Strike studs. Flower Alley studs are worth a lot less. And please don't tell me that you're talking about the $17.5k and $34k yearling and two year old in training prices. Those are public numbers, I read racing forms every day.
RunningDog More than 1 year ago
I am being serious with you..He was going to stand for something like 10,000. At 100 foals, thats 1,000,000. He conformation was terrible, he was small. He was a 11,000 yearling with no pedigree. He was only going to make it as a sire by his horses performing on the track. It was too big a risk for a farm to pay more than what I mentioned, thus he went to Japan. Bodemeister was close to your numbers, but you are still to high on that also. He is a good looking horse like Royal Delta. Blind Luck would have only sold for 1,000,000 or so as a broodmare due to her looks. Record on the track is a small part of the formula.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
I've personally seen Blind Luck next to Havre de Grace in the paddock together 4 times so I know what you mean. I agree that she's worth about $1mil. But she sold for $2.5mil. Therefore track records produced a 150% bonus. I think 150% is quite significant, while you called it "a small part of the fomula". I think our perspectives on things are too far apart. We'll just have to agree to disagree.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
Just confirmed. I'll Have Another's stud fee was appraised at $20-25k for Kentucky. The Japanese paid over $40mil. They laughed at my $10mil. They told me I couldn't even buy Flower Alley for that putrid sum. I have no interest in buying Flower Alley anyway, so I didn't argue. The joke on Independence Day at the Belmont Park owner's box seats area is gonna about buying I'll Have Another for $5 or $10mil. Thanks much.
Bruce More than 1 year ago
The selling price was a lot less than $5-6 million, I have inside info.
RunningDog More than 1 year ago
Hey Grass is Greener, hope you still check in here, because you are dead wrong. Bruce is correct, I found out the number and it was far less then 5 million. He was close to standing in CA for a value of under 1,000,000. Read the DRF article yesterday in case you read something for yourself. But I heard the number last week and it was far below what I had heard they were HOPING to get for him.
RunningDog More than 1 year ago
Just to correct your prior inflated numbers. Lookin at Lucky was in the 15,000,000 Range. He stands for 37,500, at 100 foals, thats 3,750,000. You can usually multiply the first year by 3 or 4 and get you number the sire was syndicated for. I'll Have Another would have been around 10,000. Maybe 12,500 if he won the Triple Crown.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
We'll have to agree to disagree then. Personally I think you don't get it. Lookin at Lucky sold for $40mil or more. The stud fee is just a bonus. A stallion' major source of revenue to the farms is to be booked to their own broodmares. Those offsprings occasionally have the potential to sell for $1mil or more. Blind Luck sold for $2.5mil and she can produce maybe 15 foals total. I'll Have Another should be able to produce 2000 foals and you want me to believe that he's worth $5mil? I'm in venture capital. We actually have too much funds because all project approvals have become very stringent. I would personally invest $10mil in I'll Have Another. I just had no idea that he's available at that kind of price. I should totally get in the business if I can believe you. I'm gonna check around today!
RunningDog More than 1 year ago
I know what lookin at lucky sold for. I am not speculating.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
Me neither. $40mil was the number. I already have it double confirmed.
RunningDog More than 1 year ago
2000 foals. You are assuming 20 years @ 100 per year. Problem is in the sire world they forget about you real fast. Normal numbers might be 100 the first year, 70 the 2nd, then 45 the 3rd. Then it all comes down to how the first crop does, it nothing..then you are run out of town in a hurry. From there you are lucky to get 30 mares a year at 5,000. Smarty Jones, who most would say had more cache and pedigree than I'll Have Another, was only give a few crops before being moved to PA. His stud fee started at 60K I believe, now a few years later you can get him for 5,000. The sire business is brutal and you can find the ones who have made it on both your hands, 95% are busts. In this era of no bank loans for the horse business the prices for sire have dropped sharply. Animal Kingdom was not worth anything as a sire.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
I know the story of Smarty Jones. Syndicated for something like $40mil. Now that's a tiny horse with a miler pedigree. This country gambles on the future and the unknown, so skip the obvious. I'll Have Another is a good looking colt, he's just not very big. I would rate him equivalent to Uncle Mo on looks alone. He's not a wreck like Blind Luck nor tiny like Smarty Jones. I am a number guy, I make my bones on the mean streets of Manhattan and I've been wrong plenty of times before, but I will stick to my assessment of $25mil plus minus 25% for IHA, while you can continue to pimp your $5mil figure. At the end of the day, I'm not getting into the stallion business any time soon.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
I know the story of Smarty Jones. Syndicated for something like $40mil. Now that's a tiny horse with a miler pedigree. This country gambles on the future and the unknown, so skip the obvious. I'll Have Another is a good looking colt, he's just not very big. I would rate him equivalent to Uncle Mo on looks alone. He's not a wreck like Blind Luck nor tiny like Smarty Jones. I am a number guy, I make my bones on the mean streets of Manhattan and I've been wrong plenty of times before, but I will stick to my assessment of $25mil plus minus 25% for IHA, while you can continue to sell your $5mil figure. At the end of the day, I'm not getting into the stallion business any time soon.
RunningDog More than 1 year ago
You can go read Redhams blog on Bloodhorse. IHA's top offer in KY was 3,000,000.
RunningDog More than 1 year ago
Also in regards to Blind Luck, the only reason it was 2,500,000 was one of the partners bought her back and was attached. He admitted he paid way over what the market price for her would have been. They played games with the price to take it to a level where the one partner was buying out the other 3. Her real price was nowhere near the 2.5MM
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
It doesn't matter. Bottom line is someone paid $2.5m for her due to her exploits on the race track that touched that someone. So her looks and pedigree are worth nothing, and her racing records made her a $2.5m broodmare. And you seriously want us to believe that I'll Have Another is only worth $5m. I have $10m for him right now. Arrange it and you get 10% commissions, that's $1m. I will be at owner's box E9 at Belmont Park tomorrow. When you see me, you will know that I have the $$.
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
I cant even keep up with your incorrect assumptions. Most sires are out of KY after 3 years and stand in LA or PN etc. What do you think a sire like Giacomo is worth now after 3 years standing in CA for 5,000. He is lucky to be gettting 30 mares and you can breed to him for 2,000 if you ask nice. Thats 60,000 a year in revenue. It costs money to house him. You could offer them 200,000 for him and they would send a limo to send you out there and pick him up. 1% of sires are a success. The only guarantee on a sire of the first year or two, after that if there is no buzz or the babies dont look good or cant run in the first year or two its game over from a financial standpoint. The Ky farms now are not taking wild risks, and breeders are smarter than they used to be about breeding top mares to first year sires. Bodemeister was worth about 15,000,000..Almost 4 times more than I'll Have Another.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
I'm not interested in Giacomo. I just want to buy I'll Have Another for $10mil. Tomorrow I will see a lot of people at Belmont Park. I will inquire.
RunningDog More than 1 year ago
You could have had him for 10,000,000. On Blind Luck if you own half a horse and you buy the partners out for 2,500,000 you are not paying 2,500,000. Dont know if you have already gotten that. You are only paying 1,250,000 to pay out the other guys, the other 1,250,000 goes to you. I know I'll Have Another was appraised at 6,000,000 for insurance before the Belmont. That number included him being worth something as a racehorse. If was not worth 6,000,000 as a stud unless he ran the table or did a lot more in his career. You are not ignorant or anything, you are just using prices pre horse crash in 2009. You will easily find out from sharp people the numbers I am telling you are correct.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
Your assumptions are severely flawed. You can buy insurance for any amount. You pay higher or lower premium that's all. They could have gotten a quote for $100mil insurance on IHA and you would have argued to death that he's worth $100mil. By the way, Reddam was on record in a few interviews saying that IHA was under insured, and when asked why he said something about some risk to reward ratio. That's my take on insurance, I rarely buy them unless required by law. Even then I tend to buy the minimum. I'm a gambler and an investor. I fancy being my own insurance company.
Jack More than 1 year ago
Mr Sherwood, Did you check what you could have got for her in JAPAN????
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
First of all, the Japanese tend not to shop for horses who haven't been proven over a route of ground. And then Coolmore is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, operations in the world. The bidding wars between them and the Arabs a few years ago were stuff of legend. They easily pay as well as the Japanese.
Paul_Tuon More than 1 year ago
"Ballerina Stakes?" Fletcher better crank her way up in order to have any chance against Groupie Doll. A smarter idea is to avoid Groupie Doll until the BC Sprint.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
Turbulent Descent is a 3-time Grade 1 winner, and placed in two other G1. She outclasses even Groupie Doll and as a winner of 7 out of 11 races, she is also more consistent. In my opinion, she's probably even faster. I also believe that we haven't seen the best of Turbulent Descent yet. She will finally get a chance to put races together for first time since last April. From a strict handicapping stand point, she should be favored over Groupie Doll in the Ballerina or at least vying for co-favoritism. Since it's highly likely that Groupie Doll will be favored over her in the Ballerina, Turbulent Descent will be a screaming overlay and a great bet. Groupie Doll had two breakout races in her previous 2 races, both G1 wins. Did she ride a track bias both days, or did she find her favorite jockey in Rajiv Maragh, or was it the equipment change? We still have to find out. With Turbulent Descent, she is a known commodity. Despite being a 3-time G1 winner, Turbulent Descent gives off a vibe of a horse that had been mismanaged. She clearly thrived from Oct-Dec 2010 and Feb-Apr 2011 when she was able to put 3 races together. Why the long breaks after each race after that? Obviously it didn't work. I'm not particularly a great fan of Todd Pletcher, but I think most other trainers can do a better job than Mike Puype with this horse.
KeenelandCapper More than 1 year ago
more consistant than groupie doll? when did groupie doll run up the track twice?
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
Her first maiden race at Delaware and the Mrs. Revere at Churchill. Groupie Doll has 6 wins in 13 starts (2x G1 wins, 1x G3), Turbulent Descent has 7 wins out of 11 starts (3x G1 wins, 1x G2). Do you normally argue just for the sake of arguing?
MJP More than 1 year ago
Don't think she is as quite as good on the dirt, but the tiring track at Saratoga may fit her well. She won the Test after all. Pletcher should try to get her at least two starts there.
Slew32A More than 1 year ago
Tiring track at Saratoga? It's a conveyor belt.!
MJP More than 1 year ago
Yeah, right, speed horses win all the time at the Spa. Hold that thought. Let's see how you do this summer.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
She runs well on dirt as long as it is not an off track.
chad mc rory More than 1 year ago
Pletcher, please take care of her...
haire75 More than 1 year ago
She's as classy as they come,and if Puype had just a little common sense last yr. And not make her travel back to Calif. After every start ,that's what toasted her for the breeders cup.There was no way in hell,Michelle Romance would have beat her,thats a fact,one to many Turbulent Decents,into LA.X 4 or 5 trips to Ky. Or N.Y. and back,Insane,shows pure amazing talent.David Flores certainly fits her like a glove,but that won't happen,with Pletcher,but I think the new owners (_Coolmoore) will call the shots there,there quite wise,David would be the right move,Joe Blow could train her,look at her amazing acomplishments with some real poor planning,can only go one way,she's really something.Time to show what you've learned from you're mistakes Todd,best of luck,
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
My sentiments exactly. Sorry, I wrote my comments before reading this one. I am not a fan of those regional operations who crave the biggest races and choose to ship in and out for those coveted prizes. Either strike a deal to have these special horses housed at a friendly trainer's barn, or just stick to regional races - there are enough good races in California. It was announced a few days after the Test at Saratoga had been run last year that Santa Anita would host the 2012 Breeders' Cup, but insiders had known by May that it was gonna happen when Belmont Park and New York pulled their bid. Since they had already made up their mind that Turbulent Descent would race into her 4yo season, there's nothing wrong with sticking to California races.
haire75 More than 1 year ago
I certainly think Puype realized he blew it all last yr.was trying to make amends this yr. And keep her in Calif.THAT'S WHY THEY CHOSE A MEASLY $70.000 PURSE AND HAD TO FACE THREE GRADE ONE WINNERS AFTER SIX MONTHS,WAS SUPPOSE TO RUN JULY 14TH,AT HOLLYWOOD.WELL,SHE'LL ONLY HAVE TO FLY OUT OF LA.X, TOMM.to N.Y.and God willing back in November,where she holds the track record going 1 1/16th.One thing this pretty amazing filly did do,after being bought at O.B.S.as a two yr.old,was earn her name when she was loaded on her first plane,totaly freaked out,needed hundreds of stitches to her left ankle and knee,still visouly scarred,to overcome that kind of trauma,just months after the sale,and to do what she's done,especially as a two yr. old,she made Puype and her owners a lot log money and happiness,and if she never wins another race,her name will never be forgotten,she'll be exactly what Coolmoore knows she is,special.
Slew32A More than 1 year ago
She'll run 2 big numbers and be gone by years end.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
It's Coolmore's $5 or $6 million dollars. They get to do whatever they want with it. We'll get to see some Galileo/TD and Lookin at Lucky/TD offsprings on the track in the near future. I can't complain.