I have been writing for more than a year about the need to find stamina in young horses, yet the one successful young horse I own part of (2%) might be the quickest horse in recent memory.
Quick Tempo made his comeback race from a knee chip in the $100,000 Iowa Sprint at Prairie Meadows. He was a 3 year old facing older horses for the first time. He ran:
21. 44 and 43.35. (the run up is only 43 feet)
before a Mike Maker horse caught him in the stretch. QT finished a solid second to a horse that ran 1:08.18. QT beat Empire of Gold by 4 lengths. Empire of Gold was 4th in last years Breeders Cup Sprint (he was the leader at 4 furlongs).
Can anyone name a 3 year old horse that ran that fast of a dry track for 4 furlongs?
The great sprinter Majesticperfection ran a Beyer of 117 in the same race in 2006, and he ran “only ” a 43.48, but he was a 4 year old.
The Equibase speed figure came back as 107 for QT. His previous best was 95. I guess most owners would be happy, but I think that is too fast off a 6 month layoff.
Where will the Dare to Dream guys try him next? The conservative approach would be to try another Midwest event in August. The aggressive approach would be to a stake at Saratoga against straight 3 year olds. If the Beyer comes back at 95 or higher it would seem you should try the aggressive approach. We will see. I just hope he can stay healthy.
The Beyer for QT did come as a 94. The winner was given a 101 Beyer, the same as his previous race.
Buying A Race Horse 