Brewster Looking Forward to Cogburn's Turf Sprint Try

Owner Clark Brewster of Tulsa, Okla., wanted to name his superstar sprinter Rooster Cogburn because of actor John Wayne's eye patch in his portrayal of that character in the movies.

The name was rejected so Brewster settled for Cogburn . That blistering-fast 5-year-old Kentucky-bred horse owned in conjunction with partners Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, is the 7-5 morning-line favorite for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

Brewster has long been a breeder and owner in Oklahoma, campaigning his horses at Remington Park. Since 1996, he has won 238 races in Oklahoma City as a sole owner, according to statistics provided by Equibase.

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The reason Brewster wanted that first name so badly is the same reason his group was able to purchase Cogburn for only $150,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training after he had previously been bought for $310,000 by Three Amigos at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Selected Yearlings Showcase. 

"He had a bit of a glitch in one eye that had been detected," said Brewster. "They thought his eyesight might deteriorate, but it's fine. He can see perfectly. I just thought Rooster Cogburn would be just right for him. He breezed lights out at his 2-year-old sale and we really liked him."

Talk about perfect vision. Cogburn has seen his way to winning 9-of-15 races in his career and $2,392,630 in earnings. He has drawn the attention of breeding farms and overseas racetracks for their elite sprint races. Cogburn is trained by the sport's all-time winningest trainer, Steve Asmussen, and will be ridden by Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Asmussen has won eight Breeders' Cup races in his career. 

"Last night, we sold a one-fortieth share in (Cogburn) for $475,000," Brewster said Oct. 31. "Bill and I decided we would send him to WinStar Farm when he retires. I retained 27.5% of him as majority owner."

Brewster said WinStar is a part owner and Frank Antonucci also bought a share of him. There is possibly one more race for Cogburn after the Breeders' Cup before he retires.

"Cogburn has been invited to run in the Hong Kong Sprint," Brewster said. "That's a $3.4 million purse. It would enhance his breeding reputation internationally. But the main thing is the horse's welfare. It will all depend on how he comes out of the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint before we decide on whether we will make that 20-hour trip."

Brewster said Cogburn has, without a doubt, been the best horse he has ever owned in several decades as an owner. Cogburn set a world record at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York when he won the Jaipur Stakes (G1T), blazing the 5 1/2 furlongs in :59.80. The Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint will be at five furlongs.

"You know, I used to look at the interviews in the winner's circle with the owners of Kentucky Derby horses and think, 'why is everyone 85 years old?'" he said. "The answer to that question is sometimes it takes that long to find a horse like this. It took us a long time to find Cogburn. He is brilliant and he is the kind of horse that really warms your heart every day."

Brewster has regularly competed at Remington since the track opened in his home state. He has nothing but praise for the operation.

"I've never been treated more kindly with the utmost respect than I have at Remington Park," he said. "It's a first class operation that has been great for the state of Oklahoma in every aspect. I mean that with all my heart. The people are so professional and we will continue to race horses there yearly."

Cogburn's race Saturday is scheduled as race 5 on the Breeders' Cup card, approximately 2:41 p.m. CT. Fans can watch and wager on the race at Remington Park.