Mass Media colt shines as sire's first stakes winner
Saturday, November 13, 2010 Share on Facebook RSS Feeds
At Calder Race Course on Florida Million Day, Manicero, a 2-year-old colt by Mass Media, put on the show of the day with a dominating 8 1/4-length score in the $125,000 Jack Price Juvenile. This is the first stakes winner for Mass Media, who has ten winners to date and ranks fourth on Florida's freshman sire list.

Much like he did in his maiden win on Oct. 30, Manicero proved far superior to his competition in the Jack Price. He went right to the lead and was up by a length after two furlongs, widened slightly around the turn, then drew off in the stretch to complete the seven furlongs in 1:25.77. His six furlong split of 1:11.30 was a half-second quicker than older horses completed the distance in the Dudley Sprint H., the race prior to the Price.

Winning trainer Leo Azpurua, Jr. commented afterward about his newest star. "My father (owner Leo Azpurua, Sr.) was breaking this horse as a yearling and I used to train for the breeder Mr. Sanson. My father really liked him and asked if he was for sale and was able to buy him privately. We think he is a very special horse. We'll nominate him in several spots, including the Spectacular Bid early in the Gulfstream meet."

Jockey Luis Saez has been aboard for both of Manicero's victories. "After I rode this horse the first time, I suggested we put blinkers on him; he was just a little bit green that day.  It turns out they improved this horse more than I expected.  He broke a little bit slower than I thought he would, but he got in stride quick enough and once he did it was all over. They weren't going to catch him today."

Manicero was bred in Florida by Robert Sanson. Manicero's dam, Ritzy Blitz, has six winners to date, including listed stakes horses Delirio and Puerto Plata.

The dark bay or brown colt's record now stands at 3-2-0-0 , with earnings of $99,008.

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