Art Collector (February 11, 2017 – August 17, 2023) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2021 Woodward Stakes, the 2023 Pegasus World Cup and the Grade II Charles Town Classic twice. In a career spanning five seasons, he won or placed in seven graded stakes races.[2]

Art Collector
SireBernardini
GrandsireA.P. Indy
DamDistorted Legacy
DamsireDistorted Humor
SexStallion
Foaled(2017-02-11)February 11, 2017[1]
DiedAugust 17, 2023(2023-08-17) (aged 6)
CountryUnited States
ColorBay
BreederBruce Lunsford
OwnerBruce Lunsford
TrainerJoe Sharp (2019)
Thomas Drury Jr. (2020)
William I. Mott (2021)
Record23: 11-3-0[2]
EarningsUS$4,231,290
Major wins
Blue Grass Stakes (2020)
Ellis Park Derby (2020)
Alydar Stakes (2021, 2022)
Charles Town Classic (2021, 2022)
Woodward Stakes (2021)
Pegasus World Cup (2023)
Last updated on August 18, 2023

Racing career

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2019: Two-year-old season

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Art Collector won a maiden and allowance race as a 2-year-old for trainer Joe Sharp. Later Art Collector was disqualified for his allowance win after a positive swab.[3]

2020: Three-year-old season

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Racing as a three-year-old for trainer Thomas Drury Jr., Art Collector's win in the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes over eventual Preakness Stakes winning filly Swiss Skydiver earned him a berth in 2020 Kentucky Derby.[4][5] Art Collector's Blue Grass victory was the colt's first graded stakes race and first graded stakes win for trainer Thomas Drury Jr. who has been training racehorses for thirty-eight years.[6]

Art Collector then won the 2020 Ellis Park Derby before heading to the Kentucky Derby.

Made the second choice of the betting public behind Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes winner Tiz the Law, an injury during a workout kept Art Collector out of the Derby,[7] and instead he aimed towards the Preakness Stakes, the third leg of the COVID-19 pandemic affected 2020 Triple Crown.

Art Collector came fourth in the 2020 Preakness Stakes, a nose behind the third-place finisher. The filly he defeated in the Bluegrass, Swiss Skydiver, won the Preakness by a neck over Kentucky Derby winner Authentic.

His next start was the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on November 7, where he finished eighth behind the winner Knicks Go.

In the 2020 World's Best Racehorse Rankings, Art Collector was rated on 119, making him the equal 57th best racehorse in the world.[8]

2021: Four-year-old season

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Art Collector began his 4YO campaign in June at Churchill Downs in the Kelly's Landing Overnight Stakes as the 6/5 favorite with a lackluster performance after veering at the start and being bumped to finish sixth.[9] Art Collector was transfer to trainer William I. Mott's barn in July.

On 6 August, Art Collector made amends winning the Listed Alydar Stakes at Saratoga as the 9/5 favorite with plenty in hand after leading by nearly 4 lengths to finish 1+12 lengths in front of Night Ops in a time of 1:48.20 for the 1+18 miles trip.[10]

Three weeks later on 27 August, Art Collector traveled to West Virginia for the Grade II Charles Town Classic where he stalked leader Sleepy Eyes Todd and overtook him in the stretch run and comfortably won by 1+12 lengths in a time of 1:49.39.[11]

On 2 October, Art Collector produced his best performance of his career defeating a strong field of six runners to capture his first Grade I event, the Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park.[12]

2022: Five-year-old season

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Art Collector was shipped in 2022 to compete in the Saudi Cup, but finished 12th in the 14-horse field. Following the trip to Saudi Arabia Art Collector raced three more times that year, winning the Alydar Stakes at Saratoga before returning to Charles Town to win his second straight Charles Town Classic. He completed the season with a sixth-place finish in the Lukas Classic Stakes.

2023: Six-year-old season

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As a six-year-old Art Collector started three times, winning the Grade I Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park and finishing second in the New Orleans Classic Stakes and the Alysheba Stakes, both Grade II races.

Death

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In August 2023 Art Collector was in training at Saratoga Race Course to defend his title in the Charles Town Classic, but had developed laminitis. Trainer Bill Mott said that Art Collector was humanely euthanized on August 17 after the laminitis spread rapidly to all four feet over the course of three or four days. Owner Bruce Lunsford reminisced about Art Collector, saying he loved the horse and that he brought him the "highest high" when he won the Pegasus World Cup.[13]

Statistics

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Date Distance Race Grade/
Group
Track Odds Field Finish Time Winning
(Losing)
Margin
Weight Jockey Ref
2019 – two-year-old season
Aug 16, 2019 5+12 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Saratoga 7.10 10 2 1:01.06 (3 lengths) 119 lbs. John R. Velazquez [14]
Sep 5, 2019 6+12 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Kentucky Downs 1.30 12 1 1:21.07 1+14 lengths 120 lbs. Adam Beschizza [15]
Oct 6, 2019 1+116 miles Bourbon Stakes III Keeneland 7.30 14 7 1:43.06 (5 lengths) 118 lbs. Luis Saez [16]
Nov 9, 2019 6+12 furlongs Allowance Churchill Downs 3.00 9 6 1:17.62 (4+12 lengths) 122 lbs. Brian Hernandez Jr. [17]
Nov 30, 2019 6 furlongs Allowance Churchill Downs 3.60 7 7[a] 1:10.39 7+12 lengths 122 lbs. Brian Hernandez Jr. [3]
2020 – three-year-old season
May 17, 2020 7 furlongs Allowance Churchill Downs 6.60 11 1 1:22.65 2+34 lengths 118 lbs. Brian Hernandez Jr. [18]
Jun 13, 2020 1+116 miles Allowance Churchill Downs 1.40* 4 1 1:41.35 6+12 lengths 118 lbs. Brian Hernandez Jr. [19]
Jul 11, 2020 1+18 miles Blue Grass Stakes II Keeneland 2.30 13 1 1:48.11 3+12 lengths 123 lbs. Brian Hernandez Jr. [20]
Aug 9, 2020 1+18 miles Ellis Park Derby Listed Ellis Park 0.40* 12 1 1:48.02 3+14 lengths 123 lbs. Brian Hernandez Jr. [21]
Oct 3, 2020 1+316 miles Preakness Stakes I Pimlico 2.40 11 4 1:53.28 (10 lengths) 126 lbs. Brian Hernandez Jr. [22]
Nov 7, 2020 1 mile Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile I Keeneland 4.90 12 8 1:33.85 (9+14 lengths) 123 lbs. Brian Hernandez Jr. [23]
2021 – four-year-old season
Jun 25, 2021 7 furlongs Kelly's Landing Overnight Stakes Churchill Downs 1.20* 9 6 1:21.25 (5+34 lengths) 123 lbs. Brian Hernandez Jr. [24]
Aug 6, 2021 1+18 miles Alydar Stakes Listed Saratoga 1.80* 8 1 1:48.20 1+12 lengths 124 lbs. Luis Saez [25]
Aug 27, 2021 1+18 miles Charles Town Classic II Charles Town 1.30* 10 1 1:49.39 1+12 lengths 118 lbs. Luis Saez [26]
Oct 2, 2021 1+18 miles Woodward Stakes I Belmont Park 2.75 6 1 1:49.22 1+12 lengths 124 lbs. Luis Saez [27]
Nov 6, 2021 1+14 miles Breeders' Cup Classic I Del Mar 10.20 8 6 1:59.57 (14+12 lengths) 126 lbs. Mike Smith [28]
2022 – five-year-old season
Feb 26, 2022 1,800 meters Saudi Cup I King Abdulaziz n/a[b] 14 12 1:50.52 (20+14 lengths) 126 lbs Luis Saez [29]
Aug 4, 2022 1+18 miles Alydar Stakes Listed Saratoga 0.80* 5 1 1:51.84 2 lengths 124 lbs Luis Saez [30]
Aug 26, 2022 1+18 miles Charles Town Classic II Charles Town 0.50* 8 1 1:51.30 4+14 lengths 118 lbs. Luis Saez [31]
Oct 1, 2022 1+18 miles Lukas Classic Stakes II Churchill Downs 2.59 6 5 1:49.77 (6+12 lengths) 125 lbs. Luis Saez [32]
2023 – six-year-old season
Jan 29, 2023 1+18 miles Pegasus World Cup I Gulfstream Park 15.50 12 1 1:49.44 4+12 lengths 123 lbs. Junior Alvarado [33]
Mar 25, 2023 1+18 miles New Orleans Classic Stakes II Fair Grounds 0.80* 7 2 1:47.95 (4+34 lengths) 124 lbs. Junior Alvarado [34]
May 5, 2023 1+116 miles Alysheba Stakes II Churchill Downs 3.84 6 2 1:41.29 (2 lengths) 123 lbs. Junior Alvarado [35]

Legend:
  Dirt   Turf
Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Art Collector was the post-time favorite.

  1. ^ Art Collector was first past the post and wagering was paid out but was disqualified later after returning a positive swab and was placed seventh
  2. ^ Wagering is not allowed in Saudi Arabia. In British wagering, Art Collector was 16/1

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Art Collector, bay colt, February 11, 2017
Sire
Bernardini
A.P. Indy Seattle Slew Bold Reasoning
My Charmer
Weekend Surprise Secretariat
Lassie Dear
Cara Rafaela Quiet American Fappiano
Demure
Old Fable Spectacular Bid
Northern Fable
Dam
Distorted Legacy
Distorted Humor Forty Niner Mr. Prospector
File
Danzig's Beauty Danzig
Sweetest Chant
Bunting Private Account Damascus
Numbered Account
Flag Waver Hoist The Flag
Bebopper (family: 11-g)
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References

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  1. ^ "Pedigree of Art Collector". Equineline. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Art Collector". Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Chart for November 30, 2019 at Churchill Downs – Allowance Optional Claiming Race 6". Equibase. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Ellis Park 'Thrilled' To Be Hosting 50-Point Kentucky Derby Prep Race". Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Art Collector wins Ellis Park Derby, earns Ky Derby points". NBC Sports. 2020-08-09. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  6. ^ "Blue Grass: Art Collector wins, gives Drury shot at Kentucky Derby". The Courier-Journal. 2020-07-11. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
  7. ^ "Kentucky Derby 2020: Art Collector will miss race due to injury". CBS Sports. 2020-09-01. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
  8. ^ "The 2020 World Thoroughbred Rankings". Horseracingintfed.com. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  9. ^ King, Byron (25 June 2021). "Bango's Kelly Landing One of Foley's Three June 25 Wins; Major Fed won his 4-year-old debut by rallying from last in an allowance". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  10. ^ King, Byron (6 August 2021). "Fast Boat Speeds to Troy Victory Over Carotari; Also Friday, Art Collector scored in the Alydar, his first win since last summer". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  11. ^ King, Byron (27 August 2021). "A Charles Town Classic Masterpiece for Art Collector; A race earlier, R Adios Jersey won the Charles Town Oaks (G3) for 3-year-old fillies". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  12. ^ Ehalt, Bob (2 October 2021). "Art Collector Earns Grade 1 Honors in Woodward; Bill Mott trainee led all the way as Maxfield chased him home Oct. 2 at Belmont Park". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  13. ^ Grening, David (17 August 2023). "Art Collector euthanized at age 6 due to laminitis". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Chart for August 15, 2019 at Saratoga – Maiden Special Weight Race 4". equibase.com. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  15. ^ "Chart for September 6, 2019 at Kentucky Downs – Maiden Special Weight Race 3". equibase.com. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  16. ^ "2019 Dixiana Bourbon Stakes – Grade 3". equibase.com. 6 October 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  17. ^ "Chart for November 9, 2019 at Churchill Downs – Allowance Optional Claiming Race 9". Equibase. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  18. ^ "Chart for May 17, 2020 at Churchill Downs – Allowance Optional Claiming Race 9". Equibase. 17 May 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  19. ^ "Chart for June 13, 2020 at Churchill Downs – Allowance Optional Claiming Race 5". Equibase. 13 June 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  20. ^ "2020 Blue Grass Stakes – Grade 2". equibase.com. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  21. ^ "2020 Ellis Park Derby – Listed". equibase.com. 9 August 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  22. ^ "2020 Preakness Stakes - Grade 1". Equibase. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  23. ^ "2020 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile – Grade 1". equibase.com. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  24. ^ "2021 Kelly's Landing Overnight Stakes – Black Type". equibase.com. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  25. ^ "2021 Alydar Stakes – Listed". 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  26. ^ "2021 Charles Town Classic Stakes Grade 2 - (race 12)" (PDF). Equibase. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  27. ^ "2021 Woodward Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  28. ^ "Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Grade 1". Equibase. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  29. ^ "Saudi Cup Grade 1". Racing Post. 26 February 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  30. ^ "2022 Alydar Stakes – Listed". 4 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  31. ^ "2022 Charles Town Classic Stakes Grade 2 - (race 12)". Equibase. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  32. ^ "2022 Lukas Classic Stakes Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  33. ^ "2023 Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. presented by Baccarat Grade 1 (race 13)". www.equibase.com. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  34. ^ "2023 New Orleans Classic S. Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard Grade 2 (race 9)". www.equibase.com. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  35. ^ "Alysheba S. presented by Sentient Jet Grade 2 - (race 57)". Equibase. Retrieved 5 May 2023.