After Formidable Man gained the Nov. 30 Hollywood Derby (G1T) at Del Mar, coach Michael McCarthy tried unsuccessfully to carry again tears. In his postrace interview, McCarthy acknowledged the win, however then shortly paid tribute to his pal, coach Ben Cecil, who died a day prior.
“I labored for him for some time earlier than I went to work for Todd (Pletcher),” McCarthy mentioned. “Good man, good father, good coach. He liked life. He liked to have somewhat beer from time to time. He was an excellent man. Robust day.”
Formidable Man additionally honored Cecil’s mentorship of McCarthy, who was profitable with a second technology. McCarthy educated Metropolis of Mild , the sire of Formidable Man, now an ideal 4-for-4 at Del Mar. The three-year-old colt additionally grew to become the primary to win the Hollywood Derby and Del Mar Derby (G2T) because the Hollywood Derby was moved to Del Mar in 2014. (The one others to win each races have been Eternity Star in 1991 and Silver Circus in 1988 when each races have been on turf, and Grantor in 1951 when each races have been on dust.)
Despatched away because the 5-1 fourth alternative within the 11-horse discipline beneath jockey Umberto Rispoli, Formidable Man raced in fourth alongside the rail within the 1 1/8-mile Hollywood Derby. Rothschild and Donegal Momentum set the early tempo, with Rothschild accountable for the quarter-mile fraction of :23.77 and Donegal Momentum getting a half-mile in :47.84.
Donegal Momentum held onto the lead down the backstretch and across the last flip. Rispoli moved Formidable Man off the rail into the stretch to come back to the skin of Donegal Momentum. Formidable Man took the lead approaching the sixteenth pole and scored by three-quarters of a size in 1:48.40.
King of Gosford closed late to defeat Donegal Momentum by a neck, with Keep Sizzling a nostril again in fourth. Favored Carson’s Run raced final early, went 4 broad on the ultimate flip, and ended up fifth.
“I’ve been working him for the previous three works that he had, and he was getting higher and higher,” mentioned Rispoli. “I knew there was high quality and potential there, and he proved that to me at this time.”
McCarthy mentioned he skipped the Oct. 26 Twilight Derby (G2T) to have Formidable Man at his greatest for the Hollywood Derby.
“He all the time seemed like he was threatening to run an enormous one,” McCarthy mentioned.
McCarthy trains Formidable Man for William and Suzanne Warren, who additionally owned Metropolis of Mild.
“I am so completely satisfied that Mr. Warren and his family and friends are right here to have a good time a day like this,” McCarthy mentioned. “To have a grade 1 winner by Metropolis of Mild on the turf is a special occasion.”
McCarthy not solely educated Metropolis of Mild for the Warrens, he chosen Formidable Man for them on the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He purchased the colt as agent for $375,000 from consignor Taylor Made Gross sales Company.
The connections of Formidable Man within the winner’s circle after the Hollywood Derby at Del Mar
Formidable Man broke his maiden at Del Mar in his racing debut final 12 months. Earlier than returning to the monitor to seize the Oceanside Stakes and Del Mar Derby this previous summer season, he began 4 occasions at Santa Anita Park and twice at Churchill Downs. Formidable Man did not win a stakes at both monitor, however he ran second within the Could 4 American Turf Stakes (G2T) at Churchill and took an allowance non-compulsory claimer at Santa Anita. He has made all however one in all his 10 begins on the turf.
City & Nation Horse Farms bred Formidable Man in Kentucky from the Silent Identify mare Fanticola . The mare competed solely in Southern California, her wins together with a maiden race at Del Mar on the turf, the 2015 Royal Heroine Stakes (G2T), and the 2015 Megahertz Stakes, the latter two at Santa Anita. Formidable Man is the fourth winner from as many starters from the mare, and solely graded winner.
Formidable Man, 2023 champion 2-year-old male Fierceness , Battle of Normandy , Chop Chop , and Mentee are 2024 graded stakes winners sired by Metropolis of Mild. An earner of $5,662,600 on the racetrack and winner of the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Filth Mile (G1), Metropolis of Mild is listed to face the 2025 season for a stud payment of $35,000 at Lane’s Finish close to Versailles, Ky.