Multiple Graded Stakes Winner Mr. Misunderstood Retired
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Photo: Coady Photography
Mr. Misunderstood leaves the paddock before a victory in the 2019 River City Stakes at Churchill Downs
Mr. Misunderstood, a four-time graded stakes winner with earnings of $967,926 for trainer Brad Cox, has been retired, owner Staton Flurry said Jan. 12.
The 7-year-old Archarcharch gelding was entered in the $125,000 Colonel E. R. Bradley Stakes Jan. 16 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, but declining form and an uninspired Jan. 10 workout after entries were taken instead led to his retirement. After going 10-for-16 in 2017-18, Mr. Misunderstood won a single race in five starts in 2019, taking the River City Handicap (G3T) at Churchill Downs for the second consecutive year. He finished 0-for-7 in 2020, placing in two stakes.
"We had a goal last year to get him to a million in earnings, and got super close," said Flurry, who races as Flurry Racing Stables. "He deserves a good second home and a good second career.
"I wanted to retire him safe and healthy. He's put me on the map. He's the reason we are able to buy Shedaresthedevil," the 2020 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner that Flurry owns with Qatar Racing Limited and Big Aut Farms.
Flurry said the gelding is likely to become a hunter or jumper.
Bred in Kentucky by Athens Woods out of the Afternoon Deelites mare Jodys Deelite, Mr. Misunderstood was a $130,000 purchase by his owner from the Woodford Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2016 Ocala Breeders' Sales March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. He won 13 of 33 races, nine times in stakes. Other graded stakes victories came in the 2017 Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3T) and 2018 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) at Churchill.