Courtlandt Farms, Hennig Armed With 3-Year-Old Talent

Trainer Mark Hennig and longtime owners Courtlandt Farms are loaded with sophomore stakes-caliber stock in Florida with Or'effice, Americanus, Kingmeister, Maedean, and Sonneman—the latter a last-to-first allowance winner April 4 at Gulfstream Park.

The dark bay son of Curlin  bred by Arnold Zetcher, purchased for $375,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the Winter Quarter Farm consignment, graduated at third asking in October in a one-turn mile at Belmont Park and made his 3-year-old debut a winning one Saturday in a seven-furlong optional-claiming sprint.

"I didn't expect him to get away so slow and have to come from where he did, but it was nice to see him accomplish what he did. (Jockey) Joel (Rosario) didn't have much choice the way the horse broke," said Hennig. "We'd been looking forward to running him all winter and we're fortunate the meet continued here. He's a horse that could really benefit from the delay in all these big 3-year-old races."

Sonneman is out of the Crimson Tide mare Zardana, who won the 2009 Bayakoa Handicap (G2) at Hollywood Park and later upset Rachel Alexandra in the 2010 New Orleans Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Hennig said Sonneman fits the profile of the classic type of horse he aims to purchase for Donald and Donna Adam's Courtlandt Farms. The colt has yet to race two turns.

"He had the credentials pedigree-wise and looked the part," said Hennig. 

Hennig said the late-bloomer is one of several in his barn that may benefit from the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) being delayed until Sept. 5.

"One race at a time, but he ran well going a mile in the fall and he looked like a horse that would benefit from more ground," said Hennig. "The other day he was just hitting his best stride at the wire."

Or'effice, a bay son of Medaglia d'Oro , is out of four-time graded stakes-winning millionaire Grace Hall, who bested Judy the Beauty to capture the 2011 Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. Grace Hall won five stakes total.

Bred in Kentucky by Alpha Delta Stables, Or'effice was purchased for $725,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale from the Lane's End consignment and debuted with an even fourth in December at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Or'effice then shipped to Gulfstream where he was again fourth in a one-mile turf maiden and second in an off-the-turf route of ground before another second April 3 in a 1 1/16-mile main-track tilt.

Saving ground along the rail under Joe Bravo, Or'effice was advancing around the far turn and was steadied when in tight quarters while bumping with eventual winner Candy Machine. Or'effice was then taken outside where he boldly rallied and came up just three-quarters of a length short. 

A stewards' inquiry and claim of foul by Bravo were both dismissed, but Hennig said he was still pleased with the effort from Or'effice.

"Unfortunately the stewards didn't agree with us, so he's still a maiden," said Hennig. "It was a very promising effort and he got a big (speed figure). 

"I think it was a tribute to the horse that he battled back after getting stopped," added Hennig. "It's the sort of trip a horse sometimes gets in a race like the Derby. A lot of horses get stopped and they're done, but he was more than willing to re-rally which is always a good sign."

Hennig said Or'effice came out the race in good order.

"He's a big-sized colt and he's really starting to come together. He's been a fun one to watch develop," said Hennig.

Americanus, who debuted victoriously in September at Belmont, was off-the-board in the Nashua Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct in November but was much improved in his sophomore debut in January at Gulfstream when second in a seven-furlong optional-claiming sprint. Last out, the homebred War Front  colt rallied from seventh early to win a seven-furlong allowance sprint by a length on Feb. 22.

Kingmeister, a homebred son of Bodemeister , made his first two starts at Aqueduct, including a second in a one-turn mile on Dec. 7. A half brother to grade 3 winner Strike Power, Kingmeister made his sophomore debut an auspicious one when a half-length on top in a mile maiden race in January at Gulfstream.

Hennig said the quartet of promising Courtlandt Farms colts—two homebreds and two well-meant purchases—are coming around at the right time.

"Those are the type we're looking to buy and we're fortunate to have a good group of them," said Hennig. "They're not the sort of colts that are going to be Saratoga 2-year-olds, but they're hopefully Belmont fall or springtime horses and that's what we're trying to achieve going to the sale."

Maedean, who is 31st on the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) leaderboard with four points, is also training with Hennig in Florida following an off-the-board effort last out in the Busher Invitational Stakes at Aqueduct.

The Tapit  filly, a $450,000 Keeneland September sale purchase from the Stone Farm consignment, graduated in October at Belmont ahead of a 5 1/2-length romp in the Tempted Stakes in November at Aqueduct. She picked up her Oaks points when second to Lake Avenue in the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) in December.

The Oaks has also been postponed due to COVID-19 and now is scheduled for Sept. 4.