Two-year-old Campaign
Trained by Nick Zito and owned by Celtic Pride Stable, a partnership led by Rick Pitino, A P Valentine began his racing career at Saratoga with a third place finish in a maiden special weight. In his next start at Belmont, he broke his maiden race in a dominant performance winning by over four lengths.
Zito was so impressed by A P Valentine's performance in breaking his maiden, that he entered him in the Grade I Champagne Stakes at Belmont. The horse did not disappoint, squeezing by eventual American Horse of the Year, Point Given on the rail and pulling away to win by 1-3/4 lengths.
Following the Champagne, Coolmore purchased the breeding rights to AP Valentine for $15.1 million.
He made his final start of 2000 in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs. While he went off as the favorite, he was never a factor and came home in last place.
Read more about this topic: A P Valentine
Famous quotes containing the word campaign:
“Now, Mr. President, we don’t intend to trouble you during the campaign but after you are elected, then look out for us!”
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)