A "Fabulous" Spring

The last time Fabulous Strike was seen, he was finishing second in the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont Park behind Kodiak Kowboy, on October 3, 2009.  Since then, the millionaire son of Smart Strike has been on the shelf, recuperating from what many thought was a career-ending injury to a ligament in his left front pastern, at trainer Todd Beattie's base at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Pa.


Fabulous Strike, an 8-year-old Pennsylvania-bred gelding, was foaled at Barbara and Ron Rickline's Xanthus Farms in Gettysburg, and was bred by the Tea Party Stable of Walter Downey.  In five seasons of racing, he has proven to be one of the best sprinters in the country, capturing 12 stakes and more than $1.4 million in earnings, including the Gr. 1 Vosburgh Handicap in 2007, the Gr. 2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt at Saratoga and the Gr. 2 True North Handicap at Belmont Park.

Fabulous Strike winning the 2009 True North Handicap at Belmont Park. Photo credit: NYRA.

Beattie said that Fabulous Strike had been undergoing stem-cell therapy at the New Bolton Center of the University of Pennsylvania the last year, and his return to the races, once thought to be a longshot, is now looming boldly on the horizon.


Since March, the gelding has worked at Penn National three times, including a five furlong move in :58.60, handily from the gate, on March 26 (the best move of 54 at the distance) and another five furlong work on April 2, achieved in 1:01, breezing, second-fastest of 20 that morning. 


And at long last, Fabulous Strike will make his return to the racing wars. Beattie entered him in a six furlong, $38,000 allowance at Penn National on April 9, in which he'll face five rivals. Dana Whitney has been named to ride.