Black Magic
I can say with certitude that superstitions are more deleterious than black magic.
AboutMajor Races Won Summer Cup G5 Turf* (Y15) |
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Houdini is a fearsome animal, but not in the way one might think. He's not dangerous or violent, not in the least - he's too dignified for that. Too strong to feel threatened by something like a human handler. He's got the type of personality that one would think of as the typical, storybook-type champion racehorse. Strong and self-assured, he moves with a rough sort of grace that catches the eye and also exhibits the raw potential within. While he is extremely independent, he is capable of forming deep attachments to humans who treat him well. Those attachments and the willingness to go even further than his natural ability would imply are likely the key to making this horse the champion he's bred to be. He's the type of horse to never show fear, and never for a moment back down from a challenge. His lack of fear and his matter-of-fact confidence make him seem much older than he is, and it makes him very easy to work with and train. He's eager and driven even during workouts, and seems to like pushing himself to his limits. He can be mischievous at the beginning of a work while warming up, taking out excess energy and excitement through small bucks and just general spiritedness. But when things get going, whether there's competition or not, he gives his all and then some. The Valkyrie staff like to think his nickname comes from the fact he pulls final bursts of speed and will out of nowhere, giving him the edge to get the job done.
History
War Admiral x Augusta
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Merry Bay King x Mystical Sunrise
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WARLOCK (Sire)
NO WONDER (Dam)
NO WONDER (Dam)
Notable Siblings: Beltane (G1); Axis Mundane (G1); Samhain (G1); Silent Wonder
Racing
33 10-13-4 81%
Grade Two Dual Surfaced 9-12 Furlongs Front Runner/Stalker Houdini is almost eager to get into the starting gates, and it's a challenge to keep the horse from breaking the gates prematurely - he doesn't seem to have any regard for the doors and would rather just push past them and go. When they open he's off like a bullet, and is normally on his toes enough to take the lead. He won't fight for the position, though - if another horse challenges him, he'll let them go and settle behind the lead group. He's very relaxed during the race, not fighting unless he feels like he's giving up too much ground. He likes to be within a few lengths of the leaders. He won't make his move until the end of the final turn, where he often takes the outside and turns on the heat. While he's good on the lead and will turn back any pursuers, he seems to enjoy picking off the leaders and charging his way to victory. Being in front of the others doesn't slow him down - like in works, he seems to like pushing himself to his limits, and will strive to win the race with as much distance as possible between himself and his pursuers. |
Workout/Training Posts
Jockey: Isabelle Nottingham See the Magic He's Got the Magic Immortal Magic Magic in his Eyes A Magical Mind A Little Magic in the Classic Magic in the Air Colt Against Fillies Mischief (Year 15) Old vs. New (Spring) March Workout Report Black Flames (Summer) Procrastination is a Given (FALL) |
Results
Prospect Season
1st in Proving True Prospect / JanWk4 1st in Cuesta Prospect / JulyWk3 1st in SOPS Best Bred Tournament Classic Dirt Yearlings 1st in GHF's Next Top Racehorse Race 8 / AugWk1 1st in GHF's Nest Top Racehorse Race 9 / SeptWk1 2nd in Sweetheart Valentine Prospect / FebWk1 2nd in Ianitrix Prospect / DecWk4 3rd in Bagarre Prospect Race Two / MarWk3 4th in GHF Stable Face Off: Prospect Turf / MarWk4 Two Year Old Season 1st in Knickerbocker Stakes / Jan Week 1 1st in Maryland Juvenile Stakes / August Week 1 2nd in Genesee Valley Hunt Cup / Feb Week 1 2nd in March Juvenile Turf Face Off / Mar Week 2 2nd in Bolivia Stakes / July Week 4 2nd in Turn Up The Heat Stakes / August Week 3 3rd in TW Bonnie Heath Turf Cup - October Wk 1 3rd in TW LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY CLASSIC STAKES* - Dec Wk 3 4th in FTH JUVENILE TURF CLASSIC* / May Week 2 5th in Intrepid Racing Handicap / Mar Week 4 6th in SPRING CUP GRADE FIVE DIRT* / Feb Week 4 7th in July Juvenile Turf Faceoff / July Week 2 |
Three Year Old Season
1st TW Get A Move On Derby [T/11F] (JAN W2) 1st GHF Summer Cup G5 Turf* [T/10F] (MAY W4) 1st GHF Marvelous Cup [T/11F] (SEPT W4) 1st TW Santana Street Derby [D/11F] (DEC W1) 1st TW Jessie James Derby [T/12F] (DEC W3) 2nd TW Blast Off Stakes [T/9F] (AUG W3) 2nd TW Palfrey Stakes [T/10F] (FEB W4) 2nd BSD Tremont Stakes [D/11F] (JUN W3) 2nd TW Foxtrot Stakes [D/11F] (SEPT W1) 2nd TW Mount Olympus Stakes [T/12F] (OCT W1) 2nd TW Zenabee Derby [D/11F] (OCT W2) 2nd TW Dashing Through Stakes [D/9F] (NOV W4) 3rd SOPS Dirt Classic One [D/11F] (MAR W3) 4th GHF Wood Memorial Stakes* [D/9F] (MAR W1) 6th TW American Derby* [T/9F] (JAN W4) Four Year Old Season
1st GHF February Turf Stakes [T/12F/G5+] (FEB W2) 1st GHF Pineapple Cup [T/12F/G3] (FEB W3) 1st GHF Europe Stakes [T/11F/G3] (MAR W4) 2nd TW Top Notch Stakes [T/11F] (JAN W1) 2nd TW Zelotypia Stakes [T/9F] (MAR W3) 4th TW DONCASTER CUP* [T/12F] (APR W3) |
Breeding
RESERVES: Cavvy (Intrepid); Ripley (Witch Creek); Sunfrost (SOPS)
OFFSPRING: None
SLOTS: [Closed]
OFFSPRING: None
SLOTS: [Closed]
BUYBACKS: Kenren (Valkyrie), Cavvy (Intrepid)
PHOTO CREDITS
HORSE PICTURED - TRIPLE THREAT
HORSE PICTURED - TRIPLE THREAT