Onlyforyou (horse)

Onlyforyou (April 9, 2011 – March 15, 2014) Was an American Thoroughbred

Background

Onlyforyou was a bay horse who had an irregular star. She was by Malibu Moon, a champion sire who sired Kentucky Derby winner Orb, as well as the sire of Japanese GI winner Obrushev. Her dam Erhu was an allowance horse. Still Erhu finished third in the Mint Julep stakes and winner of three races. Onlyforyou was bought during the Keeneland September sale, for $115,000. She would be trained by Todd Pletcher, and she was owned by Glencrest Farm.

Two-year old season

Onlyforyou began her career as a late two-year-old. She made her racing debut on November 10, 2013, at Aqueduct Racetrack. At the start of the race she broke in, bumping one of her opponents. She started stalking the leaders in third during the first quarter of a mile. Soon, at the half-mile, she took the lead and never lost it, opening up to win by 2 1/4 lengths.

Just a month later she made her second race. This time instead of Aqueduct Racetrack it was at Gulfstream Park. She started inside, just off the pace. Despite this, she was ninth at the start. However she quickly rushed forward to third by the first quarter-mile. But by a half-mile she stalked in second by 1 1/2 lengths. By three-quarters of a mile she took the lead, and like before, she kept the lead and simply made it bigger as the race went on, until she crossed the wire first by 3 1/2 lengths.

Three-year old season

Like before, she only had about a month of rest before she was back on the racetrack. This time it was her graded stakes debut. it was in the Forward Gal Stakes. Because of her two impressive wins she was the odds on favorite at 1/5. After starting fourth at the start, she then took over the lead after a quarter-mile and led all the way, responding well under pressure and winning by 2 3/4 lengths.

Now 3 for 3, it was clear that the Kentucky Oaks would be the final destination for Onlyforyou. First she needed to win more Kentucky Oaks preps. So her next start would be the Davona Dale Stakes. This time her competition would be tougher. She would have to face off against Future Breeders Cup Distaff winner Stopchargingmaria. She would also eventually win the Coaching Club American Oaks and the Alabama Stakes. Onlyforyou would be the even-money favorite. At the start she was second but quickly took the lead within a quarter-mile. Then she kept the lead to win by 2 1/4 lengths.

Death

After winning her first four races she planned to run in the Gulfstream Park Oaks. After that she was planning to run in the Kentucky Oaks. But on March 15, 2014, Onlyforyou was breezing at Palm Meadows. Things were going well until 1/8 of a mile in to the workout. She took a bad step and suffered a condylar fracture and was euthanized shortly afterwards. Todd Pletcher said, "She had a complex condylar fracture that was displaced and irreparable. She worked and a little bit more than an eighth of a mile into the gallop (out) she took a bad step." He also said "Obviously this is a sad moment."

References
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.