BackTrack: Seeking the Gold Finishes Strong in Dwyer

Two days before the $228,400 Dwyer (G1), trainer Shug McGaughey said he changed his method of training 3-year-old Seeking the Gold, the colt which was to head the field of seven in the nine-furlong event.

"I decided to blow him out a few days before this race, instead of the day before, like I did in the Peter Pan (G2)," said McGaughey. "He was a little anxious in the Peter Pan early on, and I hope in the Dwyer he might be able to finish faster."

When the starting gate opened for the 71st Dwyer, it was obvious that McGaughey's change in training had controlled the eagerness of his colt. Content to race 2 1/2 lengths behind longshot Din's Dancer and Gay Rights through a quarter-mile in :23 2/4 and a half in :47, the son of Mr. Prospector—Con Game, by Buckpasser, then surged to the lead.

McGaughey and rider Pat Day shared an anxious moment at the eighth pole, when Evening Kris, with a bold rush, came alongside Seeking the Gold and threatened to overtake the colt. Day coaxed his mount with the whip, and a very responsive Seeking the Gold finished with good energy.

Seeking the Gold was 1 3/4 lengths in front of Evening Kris, which was two lengths in front of Gay Rights. Kingpost, the second choice, was fourth, 1 1/4 lengths behind Gay Rights.

Time for the Dwyer, raced over a fast track, was 1:48. Seeking the Gold, the 3-10 favorite, returned $2.60.

Seeking the Gold's owner and breeder, Ogden Phipps, received a permanent trophy, the Doncaster Cup, for winning the Dwyer three times. His prior winners were Bureaucracy in 1957 and Hitting Away in 1961.

In the winner's circle, following the presentation ceremony, an obviously pleased McGaughey said of Seeking the Gold, "He relaxed well today and is still learning."

Day was also impressed with how relaxed the colt was.

"He was kind and cooperative today," said the jockey. "I didn't know where I stood with him until I asked him. We were in third until the quarter pole, and I called on him and he was very responsive. When Evening Kris came to him I showed him the stick and that was more for myself than for him because when he saw the horse, he finished aggressively. I think he will improve even more."

McGaughey is also confident his colt will improve with racing and anticipates a successful 4-year-old campaign for him.

"He is different than Polish Navy, who I believe was a better 2-year-old than 3-year-old," said McGaughey. "Seeking the Gold is still learning and will make a better 4-year-old.

"He has already accomplished a lot in six months," continued McGaughey. "We didn't duck any races with him. His fifth start was the Gotham (G2), and in his second race he ran three-quarters in 1:09 1/5."

The bay colt was making his ninth career start in the Dwyer after breaking his maiden by 12 lengths at first asking in December at Hialeah Park. He remained undefeated through three more races at Gulfstream Park during the winter.

Seeking the gold encountered his first defeat in April in the Gotham, when he lost to Private Terms by three-quarters of a length. Two weeks later, he was beaten again by Private Terms, in the Wood Memorial (G1), that time by 1 1/2 lengths.

After much thought, Phipps and McGaughey decided to bring the colt to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby (G1), a decision both later regretted after the colt finished seventh.

"In retrospect, I made a mistake when I ran him in the Derby," said McGaughey. "I probably should have waited for the Preakness (G1). Although he would not have beaten the winner, the outcome may have been better than the Derby."

Seeking the Gold's victory in the Peter Pan came in his last race before the Dwyer. McGaughey is considering the Haskell (G1) for his colt's next engagement, then the Travers (G1).

Seeking the Gold earned $137,040 in the Dwyer, bringing his career total to $538,350.