Accompanied by Christophe Lorieul, assistant to trainer Christophe Clement, multiple champion Gio Ponti
arrived at Keeneland on Tuesday afternoon after a flight from New York
to Blue Grass Airport. The 2011 travel schedule for the 6-year-old son
of Tale of the Cat has been similar to last year, when he raced in the
Dubai World Cup (G1), the Grade 1 Manhattan and Man o’ War at Belmont
Park and the Arlington Million (G1) in Chicago before coming to
Keeneland. At Keeneland a year ago, he won the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1)
and finished second behind European superstar Goldikova in the TVG
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).
“I
think he’s doing as good as ever,” Lorieul said about Gio Ponti, whom
he jogged once around the main track on Wednesday. “When you believe in
numbers, like the Ragozin numbers, he’s running the same number as last
year. This year, we had to meet Cape Blanco, who’s obviously a very good
horse. (Gio Ponti was second to Cape Blanco in both the Man o’ War and
Arlington Million.)
“The
horse is doing as good as ever. (Saturday’s race) is back to a mile.
It’ll be a good thing to see what’s going on. Last year it worked, so
hopefully it’ll work again this year. It’s hard to change things when
things work.
“The
weather will be great. The turf will be great. The
competition—unfortunately, it’s very tough this year. It’s a very
competitive race, but he’s a very good horse. We belong there. It’s a
question of luck and the trip, and we’ll see what happens.”
Racing
for Castleton Lyons, Gio Ponti has won 11 of 27 races and has earned
$5,689,800. He will break from post five in the Shadwell Turf Mile with
regular rider Ramon Dominguez.