BackTrack: Mucho Macho Man Clear Winner of Risen Star

Mucho Macho Man 's victory in the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) Feb. 19 produced a range of emotions in his connections. Their feelings swung from low to high and back again as they anguished over regular rider Eibar Coa, hospitalized with a neck injury after a bad spill at Gulfstream Park the day before, then savored their handsome colt's impressive win.

Each hug, cheer, or kiss in the winner's circle seemed to acknowledge the absent Coa.

Dean Reeves, who is the majority partner of Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team One Racing stable, assumed the somber role of designated spokesman.

"I was very confident in our horse but at the same time worried about Eibar Coa," Reeves said, admitting to a sleepless night. "We are just hoping and praying for his recovery. What makes this moment so special is the people that are here with you."

Racing without blinkers for the first time, Mucho Macho Man pressed the pace through the early stages.

"My horse cooperated and settled in well behind the leaders," said winning jockey Rajiv Maragh. "Once he settled in, I expected him to make a big finish, and he sure did. In the post parade he was pretty focused and giving me all the right signals."

Mucho Macho Man came to the final turn in third position. At the top of the stretch, 2-1 co-favorite Rogue Romance was caught in tight quarters, and it appeared that any one of a cluster of horses would decide the outcome. But it was Mucho Macho Man who broke away from the pack at the eighth pole and pulled clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths, completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.98. The leggy son of Macho Uno galloped out past the wire with his ears up.

Chasing but not gaining, Tom Walters' Santiva was making his first start of 2011 and finished second after being wide around the first turn.

"He kept pulling and wanting to go to the lead," jockey Mike Smith said, "but we didn't want that. I thought he ran dynamite. Me and the winner drew away from the field, which is pretty impressive on this long stretch."

Kathy Ritvo trains Mucho Macho Man and talked about his potential for longer distances.

"He goes two miles like he's out for a jog and the second mile is always faster. He is just going to get better the further the distances get," she said. "I had a lot of confidence in Rajiv," Ritvo continued. "He's a real, 100% professional. I want to wish Eibar Coa a speedy recovery. I'm very concerned about him and I wish him all the best."

Third place in the Risen Star went to Catesby Clay's Rogue Romance, who was also beginning his 2011 campaign. Courtlandt Farms' Machen finished fourth in the 10-horse field but should benefit from being battle-tested against stakes-level horses.

After already making room reservations for 20 in Louisville, Ky., Dean Reeves is considering increasing the request.

"This race takes a lot of pressure off us," Reeves said, referring to Mucho Macho Man's graded stakes earnings for the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). "I knew if he caught his stride out there that they couldn't catch him."

Out of the Ponche mare Ponche de Leona, the Risen Star winner was bred in Florida by John and Carole Rio.