Two Punch euthanized at 28

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Apollo's breeding wasn't exactly that of a crack sprinter. By a son of Lyhpard that was out of a Sir Ivor mare, if I recall correctly.

Falstaff had about 5 foals total before Apollo came along. Apollo's bottom side is nothing but sprinters and Falstaff's own dam, Ivorina, produced sprinter Ivory Mint, who in turn produced sprinter Malibu Mint.

That aside, I'm more than confident Jones wrecked, early on, what was going to be a magnificent horse.

How exactly? The colt broke its maiden in July, bucked shins, came back and won two 6f sprints by open lengths, then barely held on in a 7f Cal-bred stakes before his first defeat in the San Rafael at 8f. Then he got beat open lengths at 9f in the Jim Beam. Sounds like a sensible campaign heading towards the Derby. However, predictably (by Gary Jones no less), distance limitations set in.

And if you think his performance going two turns against Dinard and Best Pal wasn't awesome, I don't know what to say to you.

He got away with a :23+ opening quarter that day and was able to hold off a comebacking Best Pal but not a streaking Dinard. Best Pal was a bit pea-hearted all spring anyways, ironically coming to hand in the summer and fall after being transfered to...you guess it...Gary Jones.

Not sure why this runner-up effort is the stuff of legend. It was a big try from an overachieving Cal-bred of modest origin. Nothing more than that. Came back down to the level hinted at by the Cal Breeder's Stakes soon afterwards.

Jones, his strength, was with older imports that didn't have to survive his handling as a 2yo or early 3yo.

Apollo made 23 lifetime starts. Its not like he disappeared after he got exposed at Turfway.