I am starting this thread because despite a very small crop of three year old foals in his first crop, Protonico already looks like he has a real good one in Medina Spirit, who looks very capable of winning multiple graded stakes races. He probably would already have a graded stakes win if not for Life Is Good, who many consider the best 3 year old this year, so far. Medina Spirit finished second to Life Is Good in the grade 3 Sham Stakes this past Saturday.
Medina Spirit's next start could be the grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes on January 30. If he is entered in that race, I believe he will probably win if Life Is Good is not also entered in that race.
By the way, Protonico won 4 graded stakes races. I am a little surprised that he was not bred to many mares, but that should change.
Protonico
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Mylute
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He won in a 3-way photo finish.
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Saban
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It was a three horse photo, but I could tell that Medina Spirit won without the photo. I think the photo was more to determine who got up for second. Despite the slow time, 1:46 and change, I think that Medina Spirit showed something by not giving away the lead when challenged. He hung tough. He is definitely is a KD contender, IMO.
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Saban
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Medina Spirit (3 year old colt) finished second in the 8.5F 300K grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita today. Unfortunately for Medina Spirit, Life Is Good was also in that race and stayed unbeaten looking unbeatable winning by 8 lengths. I believe that Medina Spirit should have enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby now. I am pretty sure that Life Is Good does. We should see them both on Derby day at Churchill Downs in May, but they probably both will have another race before that. One of them or both will no doubt race in the Santa Anita Derby in April.
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Saban
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I hope that Medina Spirit wins the Kentucky Derby. He won't be favored (I think the favorite will be Essential Quality), but I have learned over the years to never count trainer Bob Baffert out in big races. I am sure that Baffert would love to see Medina Spirit win, not only for that horse, but also for the injured Life Is Good, who beat Medina Spirit twice in graded stakes races.
A Derby win by MS would also be good for his sire Protonico. Protonico has not been popular with breeders so far, but a Derby win should change that. It may have changed already with Medina Spirit's success so far. A Derby win would be the frosting on the cake. Go Medina Spirit.
A Derby win by MS would also be good for his sire Protonico. Protonico has not been popular with breeders so far, but a Derby win should change that. It may have changed already with Medina Spirit's success so far. A Derby win would be the frosting on the cake. Go Medina Spirit.
Last edited by Saban on Mon Apr 12, 2021 10:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Mylute
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Aside from being trained by Baffert (and his owner is an Arabian philanthropist), he generally comes from a non-star background. Once sold for $1K, then sold for $35K (still cheap by some standards), and interestingly his dam was bred by Mongolian Stable. The late Brilliant Speed who only has 3 smallish crops to race is his damsire. Speed died after being struck by lightning.Saban wrote: ↑Mon Apr 12, 2021 4:04 pm I hope that Medina Spirit wins the Kentucky Derby. He won't be favored (I think the favorite will be Essential Quality), but I have learned over the years to never count trainer Bob Baffert out in big races. I am sure that Baffert would love to see Medina Spirit win, not only for that horse, but also for the injured Life Is Good, who beat Medina Spirit twice in graded stakes races.
A Derby win by MS would also be good for his sire Protonico. Protonico has not been popular with breeders so far, but a Derby win should change that. It may have changed already with Medina Spirit's success so far. A Derby win would be the frosting on the cake. Go Medina spirit.
Only user to pick Rich Strike (89-1) in the 2022 Derby Pool Contest. | 2x Greatest Handicapper of All Time (2022 - 23) (2023 - 24) ✧ I kissed I'll Have Another! ✧
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Saban
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That is why I like Medina Spirit. His sire is not considered fashionable, so far ( Protonico may be considered more fashionable now that he has sired a Derby contender. Hope he gets some more big horses). Medina Spirit was not a 6 figure horse at auction, like most of the Kentucky Derby horses. Far from it.
BTW, Medina Spirit worked out today at Santa Anita for 6 furlongs. It was a bullet, but only 3 horses worked out at that distance there. His time was 1:12:20.
BTW, Medina Spirit worked out today at Santa Anita for 6 furlongs. It was a bullet, but only 3 horses worked out at that distance there. His time was 1:12:20.
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Katewerk
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Lady Protonico (o/o Lady Heroine [Sea Hero]) won 31K claiming R3 at Churchill today, at 17-1.
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Saban
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Atomic Tone (3 year old gelding) won a 6F $26,400 MSW race at Thistledown by more than 8 lengths yesterday. Time was 1:10.42
I think that Protonico has done very well at stud considering the small crops of registered foals that he has had (83 foals in 5 years).
I think that Protonico has done very well at stud considering the small crops of registered foals that he has had (83 foals in 5 years).