Goldencents' 2013 Year In Review

Written by Card Chronicle Thoroughbred Racing Corespondent, Carly Kaiser

The racing season for Rick Pitino's Goldencents is over, but not forgotten. He had a very long, and very successful year out in California. Out there he won the Grade 3 Shame Stakes, the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby as well as the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. He also had three second place performances in a row as well in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby, the Grade 2 Pat O' Brien, and the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship.

Outside of California is another story, where Goldencents finished 17th in the Kentucky Derby and fifth in the Preakness. Both of those races, however, were not at his ideal distance of a mile or less, so they can be excused. Unfortunately, on November 30 he completely rolled over in the Cigar Mile in New York finishing seventh.

The loss in the Cigar Mile also cost Goldencents his chance for the Eclipse Award (the end of the year award for best horses in their division), which many believed he could win. The one he was in contention for would be Champion Three Year Old Male, which now will more than likely be awarded to Will Take Charge.

Goldencents ended the season with career earnings of $1.99 million dollars, and a record of 13 races, five wins and four seconds.

It has been a really fun year with this horse. All his connections love him, and his trainer tweeted that he will race next year as a four year old. No plans yet which race he will run in next.