For the latest in the HRN Barn Tour series, Mott provided an update on the leading horses in his stable.
3-year-old colts
Candy Man Rocket. This Candy Ride colt picked up 10 Derby points with his win in the Sam F. Davis (G3) in February then finished 11th of 12 in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). "He may go to the Arkansas Derby (G1, April 10)," Mott said. "We'll keep the options open. But right now that's what we're planning on."
Nova Rags. His second-place finish in the Sam F. Davis earned the son of Union Rags four Derby points. He will start next in the Florida Derby (G1) on March 27. Both the Arkansas Derby and the Florida Derby offer 100-40-20-10 Derby points to the top four finishers.
Speaker's Corner. The Street Sense colt broke his maiden with an October win over Caddo River and Greatest Honour but has not raced since. "He had a setback in the fall," Mott said. "We gave him some time and he's back. Doing open gallops and about ready to breeze."
Olympiad. This son of Speightstown also has the distinction of breaking his maiden with a win over Caddo River and Greatest Honour, this time in a September race at Saratoga. He also took time off over the winter, Mott said. "He's back. He's getting ready to do some open gallops, ready to breeze."
3-year-old fillies
Obligatory. The Curlin filly raced once in the fall and then broke her maiden last month. Next stop: Saturday's Fair Grounds Oaks, with 100-40-20-10 points for the Kentucky Oaks on the line. "It's a big jump, and we realize that," Mott said. "We're going to give her a shot in there and see what happens."
Three other promising 3-year-old fillies — Jane Gray, Lovestruck and Malibu Luna — took time off during the winter and are either back in training or will be soon.
That is not necessarily standard practice for Mott. "They all require time," he said. "They all needed R&R."
Older horses
Frank's Rockette. Last year the Into Mischief filly won 7 of 12 starts and was second in four others. Her only off-the-board finish was when she came in 11th in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. She returned to her winning ways in the American Beauty in January at Oaklawn. Mott had considered starting her in Saturday's Hurricane Bertie (G3) at Gulfstream but opted instead for the Carousel on April 10.
Channel Maker. The 2020 male-turf champion wrapped up the year with a third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf and started 2021 with a runner-up effort in Saudi Arabia's Neom Turf Cup. Next is the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) on March 27.
Modernist. The 4-year-old Uncle Mo colt finished second in the Challenger Stakes (G3) on March 6 and has not had a win since the 2020 Risen Star (G2). "We haven't determined what we're doing," Mott said. "We'll find a spot."
Antoinette. This Hard Spun filly finished on the board in 9 of 11 starts last year and kicked off her 4-year-old season with a win in The Very One (G3) on Feb. 27 at Gulfstream. "She's going to go to the Sheepshead Bay (G2) and the New York (G2) handicap," Mott said.
Tacitus. After a fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic, the now 5-year-old started 2021 with a seventh-place finish in the Saudi Cup. "He was supposed to run in the Dubai World Cup," Mott said. "But he had a minor stall accident so he's not going to run."
