Art Collector's versatility makes him one tough customer in New Orleans Classic
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Art Collector’s dominant victory in the Grade 1, $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 28 not only earned him another year of racing, but he showed a new dimension that makes him an even bigger threat each time he runs.
Saturday, Art Collector makes his first start since the Pegasus when he heads an eight-horse field entered in the Grade 2, $500,000 New Orleans Classic going 1 1/8 miles at Fair Grounds.
Pigeonholed as a horse that needs the front, Art Collector demonstrated he could be equally effective coming from off the pace in the Pegasus, a race he won by 4 1/2 lengths, earning a 107 Beyer Speed Figure, which equaled his high-water mark from winning the Grade 1 Woodward in 2021.
“I think it showed a lot,” said Bill Mott, who trains the 6-year-old Art Collector for Bruce Lunsford. “That’s definitely very positive to have that option.”
Art Collector’s performance in the Pegasus was flattered by the next starts of several who finished behind him. Stilleto Boy (third in Pegasus), Proxy (fifth) and Defunded (third) came back to run one-two-three in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap.
Last Samurai, fourth in Pegasus, has come back to win the Razorback and Essex, both Grade 3 stakes at Oaklawn. Skippylongstocking (seventh) came back to win the Grade 3 Challenger at Tampa Bay Downs, while White Abarrio (eighth) won an allowance at Gulfstream to prepare him for a start in the Grade 1 Carter at Aqueduct on April 8.
It was anticipated the Pegasus was going to be Art Collector’s last start before going to stud at Claiborne Farm. Lunsford had a change of heart and opted to keep him in training for 2023. Rather than try the Mideast stakes – Art Collector finished 12th in last year’s $20 million Saudi Cup – Art Collector will have a domestic campaign with no specific targets.
“We’ve already had a good year,” said Mott, who won last year’s New Orleans Classic with Olympiad. “So I don’t think there’s any pressure. As long as he’s doing well, we’ll run.”
Foot issues have plagued Art Collector throughout his career. Foot problems were why he went into the Pegasus off a near four-month layoff.
“We’re always faced with something like that showing up,” Mott said. “There’s been a little history, but his feet are good right now. He seems to do well when his feet are good.”
Art Collector breaks from post 2 under Junior Alvarado in the New Orleans Classic, and there appears to be speed on either side of him with Treasury to his inside and West Will Power to his outside.
West Will Power, trained by Brad Cox, won the Grade 2 Fayette at Keeneland last Oct. 29 and has finished second in both the Grade 1 Clark and Grade 3 Razorback.
The Razorback became Plan B after a planned sale and trip to the $20 million Saudi Cup fell through, Cox said. In anticipation of that sale, Cox said he had backed off West Will Power’s training.
“He may have needed his last race,” Cox said. “I’m happy we kept him. He’s a solid horse. He should sit a good trip in there based on the pace. It’s obviously a very good race, but I think he’s a very good horse.”
Flavien Prat rides from post 3.
Pioneer of Medina and Mr. Wireless put on an entertaining stretch drive in the Grade 3 Mineshaft at Fair Grounds last month, with the former besting the latter by a head. Both figure to benefit from what looks like a lively pace Saturday.
Pioneer of Medina, who breaks from the outside post under Luis Saez, will look to give trainer Todd Pletcher his record-extending seventh victory in this race.
Trafalgar, Rattle N Roll, and Happy American complete the field.
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