Wikipedia

Gufo (horse)

Gufo (foaled February 28, 2017) is a retired American multiple Grade I turf-winning Thoroughbred racehorse. His Grade I wins include the Belmont Derby in 2020 and the Sword Dancer Stakes in 2021 and 2022.

Gufo
SireDeclaration of War
GrandsireWar Front
DamFloy
DamsirePetionville
SexHorse
FoaledFebruary 28, 2017[1]
CountryUnited States
ColorChestnut
BreederJohn Little & Stephen Cainelli
OwnerOtter Bend Stables
TrainerChristophe Clement
Record21 : 9 - 4 - 5
Earnings$2,176,530[2]
Major wins
Kent Stakes (2020)
Belmont Derby (2020)
Sword Dancer Stakes (2021, 2022)
Pan American Stakes (2022)
Last updated on 9 October 2022

Background

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Gufo is a chestnut horse that was bred in Kentucky by John Little and Stephen Cainelli. He is a son of Declaration of War out of the Petionville mare Floy, who also produced another millionaire, track record holder and multiple graded stakes winner Hogy (Grade III Canadian Turf Stakes).[3] Sire Declaration of War began his career at Ashford Stud in Kentucky and has been relocated only to sire Grade 1 winners on four continents. [3] Gufo is currently owned by John and Laurie Little's Cave Brook Farm after being campaigned by their friend Steve Cainelli and trained by Christophe Clement.

Racing career

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As a two-year-old in 2019, Gufo finished third in a maiden special weight event at Aqueduct, then won first place at Gulfstream Park.[4][5]

After winning two more events in July 2020, Gufo won his first Graded stakes event, the GIII Kent Stakes at Delaware Park. He broke the track record for the 1+1⁄8-mile distance.[6]

Gufo was entered in the NYRA Turf Trinity events at Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes and the Belmont Derby, which were moved to a later date in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.[clarification needed] Gufo finished second to the British-bred Domestic Spending in the Saratoga Derby but then turned the tables in the Belmont Derby, capturing his first Grade I event.[3]

In 2021, as a four-year-old, Gufo ran well at the highest levels at Belmont Park, finishing second in the Grade I Man o' War Stakes to Channel Cat by the smallest of margins (a nose)[7] and then third in the Manhattan Stakes again to Domestic Spending after settling last and finishing wide beaten by four lengths.[8] Later in the summer, Gufo captured his second Grade I event at Saratoga in the Sword Dancer Stakes with a game victory over British-bred and trained Japan by a neck.[9] Gufo finished the season with a third as the 9/5 favorite in the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and tenth in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar.[2]

In his first start as a five-year-old, Gufo returned to the winner's circle with a comfortable two-length victory in the GII Pan American Stakes at Gulfstream Park.[10] Gufo followed the same path as he had in 2021, running unsuccessfully in the Man o' War Stakes, finishing second to the longshot Irish-bred Highland Chief in a small field of five[11] and once again finishing third in the Manhattan Stakes.[12] Returning to Saratoga, Gufo showed his preference for the longer-distance Sword Dancer Stakes and displayed a strong finish to win the event for the second time.[13] In his next start, Gufo was beaten by a nose in the GII Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs as the 8/5 favorite.[14] On October 8, she ran in the Grade I Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Aqueduct. Gufo settled on the outside in the three-to-four path without the benefit of the cover, came under urging with three furlongs to run, turned into the upper stretch under a drive, and failed to rally, finishing last in a field of seven won by War Like Goddess.[15]

Retirement

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On April 4, 2023, Gufo's retirement was announced by his trainer, Christophe Clement. Clement said that Gufo suffered a setback the previous month, citing owner/co-breeder Dr. Stephen Cainelli's assessment that Gufo had "done enough." He was sold to Cave Brook Farm and Gufo was sent to begin his stud career in 2024 at Ballycroy Bloodstock, outside Toronto, Ontario for a fee of CAN$4,500.[16]

Statistics

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Date Distance Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning
Time 		Winning
(Losing)
Margin 		Jockey Ref
2019 – two-year-old season
Nov 17, 2019 1+1⁄16 miles Maiden Special Weight Aqueduct 7.90 11 3 1:44.14 (1+1⁄2 lengths) Irad Ortiz Jr. [4]
Dec 29, 2019 1+1⁄16 miles Maiden Special Weight Gulfstream Park 1.50* 10 1 1:42.46 nose Irad Ortiz Jr. [5]
2020 – three-year-old season
Mar 27, 2020 1+1⁄8 miles Allowance Optional Claiming Gulfstream Park 2.10 11 1 1:47.23 1⁄2 length Joel Rosario [17]
May 2, 2020 1+1⁄16 miles English Channel Stakes Gulfstream Park 2.20* 11 1 1:39.70 1+1⁄2 lengths Irad Ortiz Jr. [18]
Jul 4, 2020 1+1⁄8 miles Kent Stakes III Delaware Park 0.60* 7 1 1:46.94[a] 1⁄2 length Trevor McCarthy [19]
Aug 15, 2020 1+3⁄16 miles Saratoga Derby Saratoga 5.80 8 2 1:52.52 (head) John Velazquez [20]
Oct 3, 2020 1+1⁄4 miles Belmont Derby I Belmont Park 1.45* 8 1 2:02.25 1 length Junior Alvarado [21]
Nov 28, 2020 1+1⁄8 miles Hollywood Derby I Del Mar 3.20 11 3 1:47.15 (neck) Flavien Prat [22]
2021 – four-year-old season
May 8, 2021 1+3⁄8 miles Man o' War Stakes I Belmont Park 1.50* 8 2 2:13.34 (nose) Joel Rosario [7]
Jun 5, 2021 1+1⁄4 miles Manhattan Stakes I Belmont Park 4.00 10 3 1:59.08 (4 lengths) Joel Rosario [8]
Jul 5, 2021 1+1⁄2 miles Grand Couturier Stakes Belmont Park 0.90* 6 1 2:28.73 1 length Joel Rosario [23]
Aug 28, 2021 1+1⁄2 miles Sword Dancer Stakes I Saratoga 2.55* 7 1 2:28.30 neck Joel Rosario [24]
Oct 9, 2021 1+1⁄2 miles Joe Hirsch Turf Classic I Belmont Park 1.85* 7 3 2:25.61 (3+1⁄2 lengths) Joel Rosario [25]
Nov 6, 2021 1+1⁄2 miles Breeders' Cup Turf I Del Mar 8.00* 14 10 2:25.90 (10 lengths) Joel Rosario [26]
2022 – five-year-old season
Apr 2, 2022 abt. 1+1⁄2 miles Pan American Stakes II Gulfstream Park 1.30* 7 1 2:27.28 2 lengths Joel Rosario [10]
May 14, 2022 1+3⁄8 miles Man o' War Stakes I Belmont Park 2.45 5 2 2:17.04 (1 length) Joel Rosario [11]
Jun 11, 2022 1+1⁄4 miles Manhattan Stakes I Belmont Park 2.25* 10 3 1:59.54 (4+1⁄2 lengths) Joel Rosario [12]
Jul 23, 2022 1+3⁄8 miles United Nations Stakes I Monmouth Park 2.40 10 5 2:12.68 (2+1⁄2 lengths) Joel Rosario [27]
Aug 27, 2022 1+1⁄2 miles Sword Dancer Stakes I Saratoga 4.40 10 1 2:28.92 1⁄2 length Joel Rosario [28]
Sep 10, 2022 1+1⁄2 miles Kentucky Turf Cup II Kentucky Downs 1.63* 12 2 2:26.96 (nose) Joel Rosario [14]
Oct 8, 2022 1+1⁄2 miles Joe Hirsch Turf Classic I Aqueduct 2.90 7 7 2:27.29 (7 lengths) Junior Alvarado [15]

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

  1. ^ Gufo set a new track for the 1+1⁄8-mile distance at Delaware Park

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Gufo, chestnut horse, February 28, 2017 [1]
Sire
Declaration of War
(2009) 		War Front
(2002) 		Danzig
(1977) 		Northern Dancer (1961)
Pas de Nom (1968)
Starry Dreamer
(1994) 		Rubiano (1987)
Lara's Star (1981)
Tempo West
(1999) 		Rahy
(1985) 		Blushing Groom (FR) (1974)
Glorious Song (CAN) (1976)
Tempo
(1992) 		Gone West (1984)
Terpsichorist (1975)
Dam
Floy
(2005) 		Petionville
(1992) 		Seeking The Gold
(1985) 		Mr. Prospector (1970)
Con Game (1974)
Vana Turns
(1985) 		Wavering Monarch (1979)
The Wheel Turns (1977)
Risen Miss
(1997) 		Peteski (CAN)
(1990) 		Affirmed (1975)
Vive (1985)
Eddie's Star
(1991) 		Risen Star (1985)
Bald Facts (1979) (family 21-a)[29]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Pedigree of Gufo". Equineline. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Gufo profile". Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Oser, Christine (October 3, 2020). "Gufo Secures First Top-Level Win in Belmont Derby; Todd Pletcher runners No Word and Mo Ready rounded out the top three". Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Chart for 17 November 2019, Maiden Special Weight Race 7 at Aqueduct". Equibase. November 17, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Chart for 29 December 2019, Maiden Special Weight Race 3 at Gulfstream Park". Equibase. December 29, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  6. ^ Oser, Christine (July 4, 2020). "Gufo Sets Delaware Turf Course Record in Kent Stakes; Declaration of War colt ran 1 1/8 miles on the lawn in 1:47.19". Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". equibase.com. May 8, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". equibase.com. June 5, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  9. ^ Kieckhefer, Bob (August 28, 2021). "Gufo Edges Japan in Sword Dancer Photo Finish; The 4-year-old Declaration of War colt raced 1 1/2 miles on turf in 2:28.30". Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Pan American Stakes Presented by Rood & Riddle Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. April 2, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "2022 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". equibase.com. May 14, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "2022 Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". equibase.com. June 11, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  13. ^ Rollins, Molly (August 27, 2022). "Gufo Prevails Late to Defend Sword Dancer Title; Son of Declaration of War has now won grade 1 races at ages 3, 4, and 5". Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 2 – (race 10)". Equibase. September 10, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "2022 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  16. ^ "Gufo Retired to Stud at Ballycroy Bloodstock in Ontario". bloodhorse.com. December 8, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  17. ^ "Chart for 27 March 2020, Allowance Optional Claiming Race 11 at Gulfstream Park". equibase.com. March 27, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  18. ^ "English Channel Stakes Black Type - (race 11)". equibase.com. May 2, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  19. ^ "Kent Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". equibase.com. July 4, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  20. ^ "Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes – (race 8)". Equibase. August 15, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  21. ^ "Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". equibase.com. October 3, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  22. ^ "Hollywood Derby Grade 1 - (race 9)". www.equibase.com. November 28, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  23. ^ "Grand Couturier Stakes Black Type - (race 6)". equibase.com. July 5, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  24. ^ "2021 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11)". Equibase. August 28, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  25. ^ "Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". equibase.com. October 9, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  26. ^ "2021 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf Grade 1 - (race 11)". www.equibase.com. November 6, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  27. ^ "United Nations Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11)". Equibase. July 23, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  28. ^ "2022 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. August 27, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  29. ^ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines - Wagtail (GB) - Family 21-a". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
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