Horse of the Year Atomica back to her true self
After winning the $1.4-million Legal Light Trophy with his magnificent filly Atomica on Monday, August 7, 2023, owner of Don Wehby says he would like to add the Gold Cup as well to his cabinet.
Atomica completed her third-consecutive victory from four starts this season after making all to win the Open Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upwards going nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m) by an impressive 6 ¼ lengths. The Nuclear Wayne – Honeytonkville offspring stopped the clock in a time of 1:56.0 (27.2 x 52.1 x 1:6.0 x 1:41.2).
“I always kiss Atomica because she is such a great filly. We are three from three now and so we are in the big league,” Wehby said.
“There’s a She’s A Maneater trophy race coming up at the end of the month and I am not too excited about that one as I have always wanted to win the Gold Cup. As a child growing up, the first Gold Cup that I watched with my dad, I think it was in 1972 when a horse by the name of Monte’s Stitch won.
“I have always wanted to win the Gold Cup and so hopefully trainer Gary Subratie can prepare her for that race. He (Subratie) still has to take his time with her as she has her challenges but she is a very special filly and she basically cantered 1:56.0 on a slow track; she is just about back to her best now,” Wehby added.
Ridden by Dane Dawkins, Atomica broke on top at the off and led Miniature Man (Abigail Able), D Head Cornerstone (Javaniel Patterson), and Money Monster (Jerome Innis) into the clubhouse turn and onto the main track.
Atomica maintained her gallop well down the backstretch before upping the tempo going into the half-mile (800m) turn. The fleet-footed filly then went about her ways in deep stretch to win easily ahead of Miniature Man and D Head Cornerstone.
“For me, the best run from her (Atomica) was the track record she did in the Jamaica Cup last year against graded horses, beating I Am Fred and those horses aren’t easy. I think she ran 1:57.0 for 9 ½ furlongs and so she was really moving.
“I don’t think she is at that stage yet but remember those races are at the backend of the year. I don’t speak for my trainer but I would like to win the Gold Cup going seven furlongs and see how she will handle it with the Runaway Algo of this world,” Wehby said.
