Isi The Underdog Is Ready To Take Them On

Former SA Champion Sprinter Isivunguvungu (20-1) enters the lion’s den of speed stars at Del Mar on Saturday when he bids to add to his Listed Da Hoss Stakes success on US soil by downing the best in the $1 million Prevagen Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

The Breeders Cup website reports on a www.bloodhorse.com editorial that indicates that the top European Sprinters await Cogburn, who comes in off three straight graded stakes wins.

Not even a word in the esteemed editorial about the intriguingly named SA bred son of What A Winter, now trained by Graham Motion. But, hey,  there’s no pressure when you’re the underdog!

In posting clear victories in his three starts of 2024—all grade 1 or grade 2 stakes— Cogburn, quoted at 16-10 by Hollywoodbets, has established himself as America’s top turf sprinter.

Superfast Cogburn – no nonsense talent and the horse to beat (Pic – Supplied)

With a victory over international competition in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, the 5-year-old son of Not This Time would put himself into consideration for an Eclipse Award in the sprint and/or turf divisions.

Cogburn has taken full advantage since trainer Steve Asmussen and his connections in May 2023 moved him from the dirt, where he enjoyed some level of success, to the turf, where his racing career has skyrocketed.

In seven starts on the green Cogburn has registered six wins and his undefeated 2024 season includes a 2 1/4-length score in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes (Gr2T) at Churchill Downs, a 3 1/2-length victory in the Jaipur Stakes (Gr1T) at Saratoga Race Course—in the process setting a North American record of :59.80 for 5 1/2 furlongs, and a 3 1/4-length win in the Turf Sprint Stakes (Gr2T) at Kentucky Downs.

In just those three starts on the lucrative Kentucky and New York circuits, Cogburn has earned $1,772,000 for owners William and Corinne Heiligbrodt and Clark Brewster. The latter two victories came in Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In events, ensuring a fees-paid start on Saturday.

Depending on the host track, the distance of the Turf Sprint is adjusted. This year Del Mar will serve up a five-furlong edition of the test for which a full field of 12, plus three also-eligibles, have been entered. While Cogburn has not raced at that distance this year, he registered a pair of stakes wins going five furlongs on the Lone Star Park turf last year.

Motorious will enter the Turf Sprint off a decisive victory at that distance on the Del Mar course as he captured the Green Flash Handicap (Gr3T) on 31 August. While the 6-year-old Muhaarar gelding trained by Phil D’Amato snapped a three-race losing streak with that win, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, he certainly is comfortable on the course as he also won the 2023 Green Flash.

After last year’s Green Flash, Motorious finished fifth as the favorite in the Turf Sprint contested at five furlongs at Santa Anita Park. This year he’ll take another crack at the Turf Sprint, but this time it will be on a course where he has three wins in as many starts.

Big Evs wins the King George (Pic – Goodwood Racecourse)

Big Evs and Bradsell are a pair of intriguing European invaders.

RP Racing’s Big Evs returns to the United States after posting a half-length victory in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Gr1T) going five furlongs at Santa Anita. This year the 3-year-old son of two-time King’s Stand Stakes (Gr1) winner Blue Point has added a victory in the King George Stakes (G2) at Goodwood.

Victorious Racing’s Bradsell captured last year’s King’s Stand and this year the 4-year-old Tasleet colt has added victories in the Nunthorpe (Gr1) and Flying Five (Gr1) stakes (both are Breeders’ Cup Challenge races).

So Isivunguvungu is up against it, but he won’t lack for support on track and here at home!

Tune in to Gallop TV at 21h40 on Saturday evening.