Golden Pal
SireUncle Mo
GrandsireIndian Charlie
DamLady Shipman
DamsireMidshipman
SexColt
Foaled23 February 2018[1]
CountryUnited States
Colourbay
BreederRandall E. Lowe
Owner1. Ranlo Investments
2. Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg
TrainerWesley A. Ward
Record13: 8-2-0
EarningsUSD$1,825,131
Major wins
Skidmore Stakes (2020)
Quick Call Stakes (2021)
Woodford Stakes (2021, 2022)
Shakertown Stakes (2022)
Troy Stakes (2022)
Breeders' Cup
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (2020)
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (2021)
Last updated on 31 December 2022

Golden Pal (foaled 23 February 2018) is an American-bred and trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He is currently one of the best turf sprinters in the United States after winning two Breeders' Cup events, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in 2020 as a two-year-old and the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint defeating older horses in 2021.

Background

Golden Pal is a bay horse who was bred in Florida by Randall E. Lowe. He raced as a two-year-old for Ranlo Investments as a homebred.[1] He is sired by Uncle Mo, who was the US Champion Two-Year-Old Colt in 2010. Golden Pal's dam is Lady Shipman, a daughter of Midshipman, who won eleven black-type wins, including the Royal North Stakes. In 2015, she set track records at six furlongs at the Ocala Training Center in the OBS Sprint Stakes (1:08.80) and at 5+1⁄2 furlongs at Saratoga in the Smart N Fancy Stakes (1:00.46) and earned $902,387.[2]

Golden Pal is trained by Wesley A. Ward, one of the leading turf sprint trainers in the US.[2]

Wesley A. Ward broke Golden Pal as a yearling. The colt failed to meet his reserve when bidding stalled at $325,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.[3]

After his two-year-old campaign Golden Pal was sold privately to the partnership by Westerberg, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor.[4]

Racing career

2020: Two-year-old season

Golden Pal began breezing and preparing for his career at Turfway Park and to run at Keeneland, but the spring meeting at Keeneland was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.[3] Trainer Wesley A. Ward then pointed to Gulfstream Park in Florida, where Golden Pal began his career on 17 April in a Maiden Special Weight event as the 1/2 odds-on favorite.[5] Out of the starting gate, he was bumped but surged forward in the short 4+1⁄2 furlongs event on the dirt to lead, then got collared by Gatsby turning for home and yielded on the rail to finish second by 3⁄4 length.[5]

Ward then planned for an early overseas trip for the two-year-old to Royal Ascot, where he has often been successful with early-running two-year-olds and turf sprinters. On 19 June, Golden Pal ran in the 5-furlong Group 2 Norfolk Stakes, facing eleven opponents. Starting at 12/1, he broke in front, leading down the center of the track but was collared in the final stride by The Lir Jet.[6] After the event, Ward indicated that he was considering bringing Golden Pal back to England after a rest in the US in August for the Knavesmire speed test,[6] well known as the Nunthorpe Stakes at York Racecourse.[7]

However, Ward opted to stay in the US with Golden Pal, who initially was entered on 8 August in the Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park Racetrack but was scratched since the race was taken off the turf.[8] Two weeks later, on 21 August, Ward entered him in the Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga, a Black-type turf event for two-year-olds over 5+1⁄2 furlongs. Since Golden Pal was still a maiden, he received a four-pound allowance and broke fast, leading all the way as the 9/20 favorite to win by 3+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 1:00.88, which was about 3⁄5 second outside the track record.[9]

After a 10-week break, in his last start of the year Ward entered Golden Pal in the Grade II Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland. Golden Pal drew post position 14, but with the scratching of Ward's other entrant, Amanzi Yimpilo (IRE), Golden Pal started from post position 13 as the 4/5 favorite.[10] He started quickly and was 2+1⁄2 lengths in front after 2 splits with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. He entered the stretch run 4 lengths in front and held off the fast-finishing Cowan by 3⁄4 length. Owner Randell Lowe commented in the winner's circle, "Wesley A. Ward has believed in this horse from day one. I've been telling everyone about this horse. It has been a long haul, but we did it."[2]

2021: Three-year-old season

After the Breeders’ Cup, it was discovered that Golden Pal had a chip in a front ankle, and minor surgery was needed to removed it.[11] After Golden Pal recovered and started to prepare for his sophomore campaign, it was announced in June that Randell Lowe had sold him to the Coolmore Stud partnership of Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, and Michael Tabor with Westerberg also having an interest in the horse.[11]

Golden Pal remained with trainer Ward and had his first start of the year on opening day of the annual summer meeting at Saratoga in the Grade III Quick Call Stakes. He set splits of :21.92 and :44.88, winning by three lengths as the 1/5 favorite.[12]

It was confirmed in August that Ward would set his sights for another trip to Britain for a crack at the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes. Golden Pal left Indianapolis on 12 August after a workout breeze a day before.[13] On 20 August, Ghe ran in the Nunthorpe Stakes. After leading, he started to tire in the last 100 yards and was beaten by about 5 length into seventh place.[14]

After returning to the US, Golden Pal was pointed to the Grade II Woodford Stakes at Keeneland. The event held on the second day of the fall meeting at the Keeneland track (9 October) attracted seven runners. Punters once again had overwhelmingly bet Golden Pal into a 1/2 favorite with US Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez aboard. He won by 2+1⁄4 lengths in a time of 1:03.12.[15]

On 6 November, Golden Pal returned to the Breeders' Cup and was entered in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. As the lukewarm 5/2 favorite, he started fast under Irad Ortiz Jr. and led all the way to capture his first Grade I by 1+1⁄4 lengths in a time of 55.22, which was a 1⁄2 second outside the track record set by Fast Parade in 2006.[16] Ward commented after the event, "He's got the title—he's the best horse (I've ever trained). I hope everyone in horse racing has a horse like this, as special as he is."[17]

2022: Four-year-old season

On 9 April, Golden Pal opened his four-year-old campaign with a 4+3⁄4-length win at Keeneland in the Grade II Shakertown Stakes, leading all the way in a time of 1:02.21.[18]

Golden Pal started as the 15/8 favorite in a field of sixteen sprinters in the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot over the five-furlong straight course on opening day of the meeting and was slow to the gate.[19] When the gates opened, he missed the start and although jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. rallied the horse, Golden Pal began to weaken about two furlongs from the finish and was eased down and finished last to Australian champion Nature Strip.[20]

Golden Pal returned back to the US, and after a break of six weeks his connections pointed him towards the GIII Troy Stakes at Saratoga. He rated outside leader True Valour and battled with him to the finishing post to win by a head in a time of 1:00.92. "I worked him twice and it was no problem in the morning," Ortiz said. "He relaxed well and finished good, so I wasn't afraid."[21]

Golden Pal was pointed to the Grade II Woodford Stakes at Keeneland, an event he won in the previous year. He shot to the front under Irad Ortiz Jr. through fractions of :21.25 and :43.42 to score his eighth win from 12 starts by 1+1⁄2 lengths in a stakes-record time of 1:01.39 on firm turf.[22]

Statistics

Date Distance Race Group
Grade		 Track Odds Field Finish Time Margin Jockey Ref
2020 – Two-year-old season
17 Apr 2020 4+1⁄2 furlongs Maiden Gulfstream Park 0.50* 8 2 0:52.36 (3⁄4 length) Tyler Gaffalione [5]
19 Jun 2020 5 furlongs Norfolk Stakes II Royal Ascot 12.00 12 2 1:01.55 (neck) Andrea Atzeni [23]
21 Aug 2020 5+1⁄2 furlongs Skidmore Stakes Saratoga 0.45* 6 1 1:00.88 3+1⁄2 lengths Irad Ortiz Jr. [9]
6 Nov 2020 5+1⁄2 furlongs Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint II Keeneland 0.80* 14 1 1:02.82 3⁄4 length Irad Ortiz Jr. [10]
2021 – Three-year-old season
15 Jul 2021 5+1⁄2 furlongs Quick Call Stakes III Saratoga 0.20* 6 1 1:02.99 3 lengths Irad Ortiz Jr. [24]
20 Aug 2021 5 furlongs Nunthorpe Stakes I York 2.50 14 7 0:56.72 (5 lengths) Lanfranco Dettori [14]
9 Oct 2021 5+1⁄2 furlongs Woodford Stakes II Keeneland 0.50* 7 1 1:03.12 2+1⁄4 lengths John R. Velazquez [25]
6 Nov 2021 5 furlongs Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint I Del Mar 2.50* 12 1 0:55.22 1+1⁄4 lengths Irad Ortiz Jr. [16]
2022 – Four-year-old season
9 Apr 2022 5+1⁄2 furlongs Shakertown Stakes II Keeneland 0.60* 10 1 1:02.21 4+3⁄4 lengths Irad Ortiz Jr. [18]
14 Jun 2022 5 furlongs King's Stand Stakes I Royal Ascot 1.87* 16 16 0:58.25 (20+1⁄4 lengths) Irad Ortiz Jr. [19]
5 Aug 2022 5+1⁄2 furlongs Troy Stakes III Saratoga 0.30* 7 1 1:00.99 head Irad Ortiz Jr. [26]
8 Oct 2022 5+1⁄2 furlongs Woodford Stakes II Keeneland 0.37* 9 1 1:01.39[lower-alpha 1] 1+1⁄2 lengths Irad Ortiz Jr. [27]
6 Nov 2022 5+1⁄2 furlongs Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint I Keeneland 1.32* 14 10 1:01.79 (5+1⁄4 lengths) Irad Ortiz Jr. [28]

Legend:
  Turf   Dirt
Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Golden Pal was the post-time favourite.

  1. ↑ Golden Pal set a new stakes record time in the Woodford Stakes, eclipsing the old record by .05 seconds held by Stubbins and set in 2019

Pedigree

Pedigree of Golden Pal (US), bay colt, 2018[29]
Sire
Uncle Mo
2008		 Indian Charlie
1995		 In Excess (IRE)
1987		 Siberian Express 1981
Kantado (IRE) 1978
Soviet Sojourn
1989		 Leo Castelli 1984
Political Parfait 1984
Playa Maya
2000		 Arch
1995		 Kris S. 1977
Aurora 1988
Dixie Slippers
1995		 Dixieland Band 1980
Cyann's Slippers 1983
Dam
Lady Shipman
2012		 Midshipman
2006		 Unbridled's Song
1993		 Unbridled 1987
Trolley Song 1983
Fleet Lady
1994		 Avenue Of Flags 1988
Dear Mimi 1987
Sumthingtotalkabt
2003		 Mutakddim
1991		 Seeking The Gold 1985
Oscillate 1986
Nanetta
1989		 Falstaff 1982
Twinkling 1981 (Family: 1-x)[30][31]

References

  1. 1 2 "Golden Pal pedigree". Equibase. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Mitchell, Eric (6 November 2020). "Golden Pal Takes Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint; Uncle Mo colt ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.82 Nov. 6 at Keeneland". Bloodhorse.com. Bloodhorse. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  3. 1 2 King, Byron (14 April 2020). "Juvenile Racing in 2020 Begins Sans Lasix; Gulfstream has a pair of 4 1/2-furlong races this week, drawing Wesley Ward trainees". Bloodhorse.com. Bloodhorse. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  4. ↑ McCroskey, Corrie (31 August 2022). "Turf Specialist Golden Pal Works, May Swap Surfaces; Grade 1 winner on Aug. 31 tab with a four-furlong move on the Keeneland main track". Bloodhorse.com. Bloodhorse. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "Maiden Special Weight Gulfstream Park: (17 April 2020 – Race 2)". equibase. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  6. 1 2 Thomas, James; Milnes, David (19 June 2020). "The Lir Jet Denies Ward's Golden Pal in Norfolk Dandalla ran away with the Albany Stakes (G3) earlier in the day". bloodhorse.com. Racing Post. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  7. ↑ "Yorkshire Racing". GoRacing in Yorkshire. 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021. ... to tackle the flying five furlongs on the Knavesmire, which is the distance that the Group 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes is staged over every August at the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival.
  8. ↑ "Tyro Stakes Black Type - (race 1)". equibase. 8 August 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Skidmore Stakes Black Type – Race 3". equibase. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Grade 2 – Race 6". equibase. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  11. 1 2 Mitchell, Eric (23 June 2021). "Golden Pal Bought by Coolmore Associates; The 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo was aimed for the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) at York". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  12. ↑ King, Byron (15 July 2021). "Comebacking Golden Pal Delivers in Quick Call; Last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T) winner scored by three lengths". Bloodhorse. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  13. ↑ King, Byron (12 August 2021). "Golden Pal Confirmed for Nunthorpe After Aug. 11 Breeze; Wesley A. Ward's Twilight Gleaming will likely train into the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T)". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  14. 1 2 "2021 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1: British Champions Series – race 4)". Racing Post. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  15. ↑ Gantz, Tracy (9 October 2021). "Golden Pal Sparkles in Woodford Stakes; Woodford (G2T) could set up Golden Pal for second Breeders' Cup win". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  16. 1 2 "Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Grade 1 - (race 5)". Equibase. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  17. ↑ Mulvihill, Jim (6 November 2021). "Golden Pal Shines in Turf Sprint, Earns Second BC Win After breaking well; Golden Pal scores front-end Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) win". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  18. 1 2 "2022 Shakertown Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  19. 1 2 "2022 King's Stand Stakes (Group 1)". Racing Post. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  20. ↑ Peter Scargill; Jack Haynes (14 June 2022). "Nature Strip Powers to Electric King's Stand Win United States-based Golden Pal fades to last in sprint at Royal Ascot". BloodHorse.com. Racing Post. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  21. ↑ Wilkin, Tim (5 August 2022). "Golden Pal Prevails in Exciting Troy Finish; Classy sprinter shows versatility in come-from-behind win". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  22. ↑ Kieckhefer, Bob (8 October 2022). "Golden Pal Speeds to Record-Setting Woodford Score; The 4-year-old is undefeated in four starts at Keeneland". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  23. ↑ "Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)". Racing Post. 19 Jun 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  24. ↑ "2021 Quick Call Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  25. ↑ "2021 Woodford S. Presented by Keeneland Select Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  26. ↑ "2022 Troy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 5 August 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  27. ↑ "2022 Woodford S. Presented by FanDuel Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  28. ↑ "Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Grade 1 - (race 4)". Equibase. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  29. ↑ "GOLDEN PAL (USA) b. C, 2018 - 8 Starts, 5 Wins, 2 Places, 0 Shows Career Earnings: $1,299,056". Pedigree Online Thoroughbed Database. 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  30. ↑ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Tregonwell's Natural Barb Mare – Family 1". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  31. ↑ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Web – Family 1-x". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
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