Awesome Vision Preps for Second Career
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West Point Thoroughbreds has retired multiple stakes winner Awesome Vision and the 6-year-old son of Awesome Again is entered in the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover.
According to a June 16 release, Awesome Vision is in a retraining program and slated to compete in the Thoroughbred Makeover's eventing and show jumping disciplines Oct. 23-25 at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington under West Point racing manager Erin Birkenhauer.
West Point and trainer Tom Albertrani decided to retire the horse after a small knee chip was discovered following an eighth-place finish in the April 19 Danger's Hour Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.
"This horse's retirement is bittersweet," said West Point Thoroughbreds president and founder Terry Finley. "He gave us so much joy, but it's not realistic to think that he would run forever. What does feel good is that this is the way all racing retirement chapters are supposed to be written—a horse going out with class and the opportunity to embark on a new career with another exciting chapter forthcoming."
New York-bred Awesome Vision raced solely in the Empire State, winning eight of 28 starts and earning $439,236. His victories included the Compelling Word, Saratoga Sunrise, and Move It Now stakes.
West Point said it plans to chronicle his training for the Thoroughbred Makeover on its website and social media channels. The Makeover takes place the weekend before the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland and has been designated an official Breeders' Cup Festival Event.