WIN WILLY (Monarchos), who shot to fame when springing a 56-1 upset of Old
Fashioned (Unbridled’s Song) in Saturday’s Rebel S. (G2), was the subject of a
$3 million dollar purchase offer, trainer McLean Robertson told the Oaklawn
press office Sunday.
The offer was declined. Owned by Jer-Mar Stable, the gray colt will stay with
Robertson and aim for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G2) at Oaklawn on April 11.
“Oaklawn Park is my favorite track. It was my favorite even before I won the
Rebel yesterday,” Robertson said.
The trainer commented further on Win Willy, who will be a late nominee to the
Triple Crown.
“I got Win Willy last year at Canterbury Park. I knew he was a good prospect
the first time I ran him. His second race wasn’t a good one for him, and he came
out of it with sore shins. We gave him some time off, and he came back well.
“I was sure he would run a big race yesterday. Inside the stretch, I realized
we would be no worse than second. Before the eighth-pole, I really felt good.
“Cliff (Berry) rode a great race. I have complained to him a few times at
Remington Park, where he is king, but I will have to take it all back now.
“We need to give this colt a lot of credit. He broke from the outside post,
then circled the rivals, and was drawing clear at the end of the race.
“I didn’t bet on him. The owner wagered on him, and gave some tickets to the
colt’s groom, worth around $11,000. Yes, the groom was at the barn ready to go
to work this morning, maybe not in the best of shape if you know what I mean,
but he did show up and that was the important factor.
“(Win Willy) has a wonderful personality on the racetrack. Around the barn,
he is a total jerk. He wants his own way. The owner lets me do things my way
with the colt. I tell him that he can yell at me and that’s fine, but he lets me
handle the colt my way.”
Trainer Larry Jones reports that Old Fashioned came out of his runner-up
effort in the Rebel in good order. Jones added that the 1 1/16-mile distance was
no problem for his star colt.