Terribly Great 2's: Shanghai Bobby

In this week's addition of Terribly Great 2's, I'm going to take a peak at a colt I feel to be one of the most promising 2 year olds out there. Although anything could change from now to next May, it's never too early to start the hunt for greatness! In horse racing, too, the early bird catches the worm (or has fun trying!).

Shanghai Bobby, from Starlight Racing, has done all the chores we've asked of him. In two starts, he has triumphed twice. Twice, he nearly eclipsed the track record for two different racecourses.

Shanghai Bobby winning with ease

• Shanghai Bobby's first start came in a four and a half furlong maiden special weight event, on the main track of Aqueduct. Following a minor brush with another horse, he chased the pacesetters from off the rail, was steered wide at the five-sixteenths pole, and by the eighth pole had drawn level with the second place horse. A couple strides more, and he sailed away under nothing more than a mild hand ride. With Rosie Napravnik aboard, Shanghai Bobby scored his debut by a visually impressive 4 lengths. The final time of 51.95 was just fractions off of the track mark of 51.60.

• Two months later, Todd Pletcher had shipped the colt to Belmont Park with sights set on the 5 and 1/2 furlong Track Barron Stakes. With five, equally impressive opponents lined up to take him on, Shanghai Bobby went to post with the 2# saddle cloth draped across his withers. Again, he had trouble at the break; Nice Going bumped with the colt as soon as the gates swung open. But as typical of the dark bay colt, he shrugged it off and continued running -- this time, showing a new dimension in a swift drive to the early drive. With a touch of urging from Rosie's hands, Shanghai Bobby dazzled in fractions of 21.93 and 44.63. Cay To Pomeroy battled back, but was disposed of by the quickfire pace. Into the stretch the challenge commenced; Handsome Jack, a 6 length winner of his most recent start, came flying late. Shanghai Bobby was driven harder, and he dug in gamely to finish ahead by one, solid length. The time was deja vu -- 1:02.87, just a hair shy of the track record of 1:02.26. 

With times like these, Shanghai Bobby is not a horse to be ignored. He deserves full scrutiny, and long pauses of consideration. Not just in his awesome performances has the colt showed to be a true talent. His pedigree, too, reads with promise, scattered throughout with a good bit of both speed, and that elusive endurance that we all love. 

Shanghai Bobby's sire is Harlan's Holiday, winner of the Florida Derby, Donn Handicap, Bluegrass Stakes, and Pennsylvania Derby. While he never won past 1 1/8 miles, Harlan's Holiday came second in the 10 furlong Hollywood Gold Cup and Dubai World Cup. In recent years, he has sired Belmont Stakes runner-up Denis of Cork, and sprinters Riley Tucker and Majesticperfection. Harlan's Holiday's sire is Harlan, who contested in 30 sprints over the course of 3 years. Harlan's Holiday's dam, however, Christmas in Aiken, was sired by Triple Crown winner Affirmed.

Shanghai Bobby's dam is Steelin', a black type mare who won at distances up to 1 1/16 miles. Steelin' is sired by Orientate, a champion at 6 furlongs although he won up to 1 1/16 miles. Orientate tends to sire long distance turf runners such as Kara's Orientation, who won up to 10 furlongs on the grass. Shanghai Bobby's granddam is Steel Band, who raced only 6 times and never broke her maiden. Steel Band was sired by Carson City, a sprinter known for siring horses of like nature. However, the great Barbaro had Carson City as his broodmare sire, suggesting that the stallion might be capable of passing down his genes to something other than a miler. 

It'll certainly be many moons until we have a shadow of a clue at what distances Shanghai Bobby wants to travel. His pedigree flashes with a good bit more speed than stamina, but that doesn't mean it isn't there. So far, this Pletcher trainee has shown nothing short of brilliance. When and if he tackles the distance, I'll be jumping up and down screaming... very loudly.