Terribly Great 2's: Triple Cross

On most occasions, my Terribly Great 2's is a seat reserved for the flashiest of juveniles -- those heading out of dominant, multi-length victories and clearly destined for a stakes triumph.
Today I highlight a more modest competitor. Triple Cross, a grey gelding from the barn of trainer Wayne Rice, has put in five solid efforts from just as many races. Three times he has come home with the victory, and twice he has pulled in a game second (albeit once due to the disqualification of another horse). Yesterday, he put the star on top of the tree with a valiant, stretch-driving win in a 6 1/2 furlong allowance at Presque Isle Downs. Although the winning margin was only a neck and the race was nothing but a six-horse allowance, I see reason in Triple Cross's performances and pedigree for him to transform into a quality stakes miler.



Triple Cross's first race came way back in May, in a 4 1/2 furlong maiden special weight on the dirt course of Presque Isle Downs. According to the chart caller's comment, the grey two-year-old "rallied at the quarter-pole between rivals, then drew off late" by over 4 lengths. I typically don't endorse these early-to-rise types who more than often wind up as cheap claimers. Triple Cross, however, has maintained his form throughout the summer months. In his second start -- a 5 furlong allowance in late June (also at Presque Isle) -- the gelding kicked off in late stretch to plow his way into first-place.

Beliefs in his gelding reconfirmed, owner Taylor Rice sent Triple Cross to Woodbine for the Colin Stakes. As usual, Triple Cross hung back toward the back of the field and waited for the turn to make his move. While he rallied eagerly, the gelding was still two lengths back from the winner - Joha - by the time his nose hit the wire. He was the third horse to touch the wire, but was rewarded second when the runner-up was disqualified for bumping another horse.

Despite having tasted defeat for the first time in his career, Triple Cross was shipped to Arlington for the 7 furlong Meadowlake Stakes. Although the gelding split horses and rushed into second, the only glimpse to be caught of Muppet Man was his bay haunch, four lengths ahead as he flashed past the wire. In Triple Cross's defense, trainer Wayne Rice pointed out that while the winner was given an ideal trip, he had instructed jockey Arienne Cox to take Triple Cross "back behind horses to give him an education". Another stakes was considered for the gelding's next race, but instead he was entered into a 6 1/2 furlong allowance at Presque Isle Downs. He stalked the pace, was caught in traffic, altered course, and was up late for the victory. Although it's hard to judge a horse's character while running in the allowance leagues, Triple Cross seems to be a hard-trying competitor who knows how to gut out a win.

Triple Cross's pedigree does not hint at hordes of hidden stamina. It does, however, suggest that distances around a mile could prove very much to his liking. His sire, Werblin, was a stakes-placed sprinter whose only two victories came early in his two-year-old year. His grandsire is the great Unbridled's Song -- famous (notorious?) for producing long-distance stakes horses such as Eight Belles, Dunkirk, and Midshipman. His sire, Unbridled, won the Kentucky Derby and has produced at least one winner of every Triple Crown race. Werblin's dam is Roll Over Baby, who won 10 of her 19 starts -- most of which were at distances around 6 furlongs (although she once won at 1 1/16 miles).

Triple Cross is the first foal from his dam, Scoot On By, who raced only once and lost by about 19 lengths. His broodmare sire, Catienus, won up to 1 1/16 miles, and finished second in the 10 furlong Suburban Handicap and Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap (twice). Among his Grade I -winning offspring are Precious Kitten (winner at distances up to 1 1/8 miles) and Dawn of War (winner up to 1 1/16 miles). Catienus is sired by the great Storm Cat, who has sired such notable runners as Courageous Cat, Tabasco Cat and Bluegrass Cat. Triple Cross's granddam is On Broadway, who once won at one mile in her nine-race career. She is sired by the great sprinter Rubiano, who won the Vosburgh Stakes (G1), the Forego Handicap (G2), the Tom Fool Stakes (G2), the NYRA Mile Handicap (G1), and the Carter Handicap (G1).

 With the distance influences shoved furthest back in his pedigree, I envision Triple Cross flourishing at distances around one mile. With proper conditioning, he might stretch out to 1 1/16 miles; here at the sprints, however, he seems to have a bright future unraveling. We may not truly know what sort of horse Triple Cross is until he takes the leap into stiffer competition -- regardless, I am excited by this gelding and his tooth-and-nail stretch drives. As Triple Cross journeys further into his career, you can bet I'll be there -- cheering him along every step of the way.