Endorsed put in a powerful rally in the stretch to capture the G3 Fred W. Hooper Stakes by a widening three lengths at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, 28 January.
The talented seven-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro continues to improve with age, earning his first Graded Stakes victory in his first start of the year. Endorsed now has won two straight over the Gulfstream Park oval and could be in for a very successful season.
Ridden confidently by jockey Luis Saez, Endorsed was settled in mid-pack as Prevalence (Medaglia d’Oro) and Picking Up Pennies set the pace. Endorsed began his move on the far turn, quickly closing in on the leaders while racing three-wide.
It was anyone’s race at the top of the stretch, with Endorsed, Prevalence and Dean Delivers racing in tandem as Picking Up Pennies began to fade on the rail. In deep stretch Endorsed hit another gear and put the race away as he drew off to win by a widening three-lengths.
Bred in Kentucky by Godolphin, Endorsed is out Dance Card, winner of the G1 Gazelle Stakes. Dance Card has been even more successful in the breeding shed, having also produced two-time G1 winner and future Darley stallion, Cody’s Wish (Curlin), winner of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and G1 Forego Stakes in 2022. Dance Card is also the dam of Bocephus, a Multiple Stakes-placed full brother to Endorsed.
Medaglia d’Oro continues to produce runners at the highest level, siring 22 Graded Stakes horses in 2022. Only Into Mischief has sired more last year. In addition to Endorsed, Medaglia d’Oro is the sire of two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty. The stallion’s 2022 Graded Stakes winners included such top performers as Prevalence (G3), Nostalgic (G3), Vigilantes Way and Pennybaker.
Medaglia d’Oro will stand the 2023 breeding season at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky for $100,000, stands and nurses.
