Miracle Colt Tough Sunday Eyes Cal Cup Derby
Description:
Tough Sunday's recovery from multiple health issues as a young horse proved nothing less than extraordinary when seemingly against all odds the colt made it to the races and became a winner last month at Santa Anita Park.
Now, the Grazen colt's connections plan to step him up to stakes competition in the $250,000 California Cup Derby Jan. 24 at the Arcadia, Calif. track.
Owner-breeder Nick Alexander and trainer Steve Miyadi will try Tough Sunday at the Derby's 1 1/16 miles after his authoritative maiden win by 6 3/4 lengths going seven furlongs Dec. 28 at Santa Anita. The victory capped his 2-year-old campaign at 1-1-1 from three starts.
A truly miraculous story, Tough Sunday endured a difficult birth in which his umbilical cord became compromised, resulting in a lack of blood flow and oxygen. In addition to being born deaf and blind due to the lack of oxygen, he lacked a nursing instinct, and as a result, was abandoned by his mother.
Tough Sunday is likely to face a tough challenge if he is entered in the California Cup Derby as Old English Rancho's unbeaten and unchallenged monster Acceptance also is pointed for the race. The Vronsky colt's unblemished record in three starts includes his three-length romp in the King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos Race Course Dec. 14 last time out and the Golden State Juvenile Stakes Nov. 1 at Santa Anita.
In his first workout since his maiden-breaking win, Tough Sunday drilled five furlongs in a handy 1:01 2/5 Jan. 14 at Santa Anita. The move ranked 24h of 53 at the distance.
Tyler Baze has the mount on Tough Sunday for the California Cup Derby.
When asked about the colt's chances stretching out, Baze responded, "I love this horse."