McDynamo makes history
Michael J. Moran’s MCDYNAMO (Dynaformer) successfully defended
his title in the $175,000 Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase (NSA-G1) on
Saturday at Far Hills in New Jersey with a 1 1/2-length score.
Ridden by Craig Thornton, the Sanna Hendriks-trained seven-year-old
is only the second horse to win back-to-back runnings of the race
after English champion Morley Street (Ire) captured the 1990 and
1991 editions.
McDynamo tracked the longtime leaders, Tres Touche (Poles
Apart) and Flat Top (Alleged), in the 2 5/8-mile test, before
taking over in the final trip down the backstretch and
successfully negotiating 14 fences in 5:06 4/5.
“He had to dig a little deep after the last fence, but he
hadn’t run in so long that I think he’ll improve off that run,”
said Thornton, who flew in from New Zealand for the ride. “My
horse just jumped past them on the backside. He’s got so much
confidence in his ability. He’s a monster and he knows it.”
McDynamo, named champion steeplechaser last year, returned in
this race off a more than 11-month layoff, with his last race
coming as a win in the Colonial Cup (NSA-G1) in November. He
earned his sixth straight score here and now has nine wins from
11 starts to go along with $562,679 in earnings.
The bay gelding is expected to go for another title defense in
his next start, this time in the Colonial Cup on November 21 at
Camden, South Carolina.