It's time 10-year-old Candid Glen retires
Candid Glen, who pulled an 84-1 upset in the Grade 2 Explosive Bid Handicap in 2003, has been retired, said his owner, Glen Warren. He last raced on March 25, and was a neck winner over Mystery Giver in a $50,000 claiming race at Fair Grounds. Candid Glen won 12 of 49 starts and $1,285,075.
"He was in training at Louisiana Downs," said Warren. "We just decided he's 10 years old and he doesn't have the enthusiasm for going out and working that he had before. He's been good to us. It's time to turn him out and let him be a horse."
Candid Glen ruled as one of this region's top turf horses for years. He was a neck winner of the Explosive Bid, which is now known as the Mervin Muniz. Candid Glen also won a record three runnings of the $200,000 Connally Breeders' Cup at Sam Houston Race Park. He was up for a nose win in the race in both 2001 and 2002, then won by 1 1/2 lengths in 2003, one start before the Explosive Bid.
"He's been a thrilling horse for us," said Warren.
Andrew Leggio Jr. trained Candid Glen throughout his career. He was ridden in most of his races by E.J. Perrodin. Candid Glen is a gelding, and will spend his time turned out, said Warren. A son of El Gran Senor, he was bred in Kentucky by W. Kenan Rand Jr.
Warren purchased Candid Glen for $67,000 at a yearling auction at Keeneland.
Dirt and turf options for Middleweight
The versatile Middlweight, who is a stakes winner on dirt and turf, picked up his second Louisiana Downs turf stakes victory on June 23, when he won a four-way photo in the $50,000 Barksdale Handicap.
Trainer Al Stall Jr. said there are a couple of upcoming options on the stakes schedule for the horse, with one on dirt and the other on turf. Stall said he will be considered for the $125,000 Tiznow BC, a 1 1/16-mile dirt race here July 14. A little further down the road, he said, an option is the $75,000 Concern at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Louisiana Downs Aug. 18.
"We're not looking to ship anywhere," said Stall. "We expect to keep him right there at home. He does really well at Louisiana Downs. He always has."
Middleweight won the $50,000 Sport City Handicap at Louisiana Downs in 2005. His dirt stakes win came last year, in the $100,000 Maxxam Gold Cup at Sam Houston. Overall, he has won eight races and $343,053.