Coolmore buys into Dutrow-trained 2-year-old Mo Town
ELMONT, N.Y. - Coolmore has purchased part-interest in the promising 2-year-old colt Mo Town, and the horse will stay with trainer Tony Dutrow, a spokesman for Coolmore confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
Scott Calder, director of sales/marketing for Coolmore America, confirmed the deal but did not disclose financial terms.
Mo Town is a son of Uncle Mo - who stands at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky - and was purchased for $200,000 at the 2015 Keeneland yearling sales by Dutrow for his Team D Stable, which consists of family and friends. After finishing second to Reckling in his debut at Saratoga on Travers Day at Saratoga, Mo Town won a one-mile maiden race at Belmont by seven lengths on Sept. 24. He ran a mile over a muddy track in 1:37.26 and earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.
Mo Town is pointing to the Grade 3, $200,000 Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct on Nov. 4.
“I was overwhelmed with the interest in this horse,” Dutrow said Tuesday afternoon. “For six, seven, eight days it was amazing how many people called me looking to buy the horse or make a deal with the horse. I knew that Coolmore had an excellent reputation. I knew if this horse is good enough they have the means and experience for this horse to do very well. There were lots of great people offering lots of great deals, but I could make only one deal.”
As part of any deal, Dutrow insisted he would remain the trainer and Team D would stay in as part-owner. The horse will run in Coolmore’s silks, Dutrow said.
“We know we have a nicer kind of horse," Dutrow said. "We all want to experience what this horse may do for us, and none of us are down and out and needed the funds to eat. We wanted to be involved in this horse.”
On Tuesday morning at Belmont Park, Mo Town worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 over the main track, his first work since his maiden victory.
Daily Racing Form clocked Mo Town in fractions of 13.00 seconds, 25.27, 37.24, and he got his last quarter in 24.26 seconds while galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.24.
“He did it very easily," Dutrow said. "I’m just so happy with how kind the horse is. He listens to the rider. The rider couldn’t have done a better job, in my opinion. He cruised around there very effortlessly and very comfortably. I don’t think it could have been written up any better.”
While the Nashua is viewed as a prep for the Grade 2, $300,000 Remsen at 1 1/8 miles on Nov. 26, Dutrow said that win or lose he would like the Nashua to be Mo Town’s last race of his juvenile season.
“I’m going to have to discuss it with Coolmore, but I really think if he comes out of the Nashua the right way then I will be so happy in going to his 3-year-old year with such a good horse that’s in fantastic shape, fresh and sound and ready to take on a 3-year-old season,” Dutrow said.