Turbulent Descent
Turbulent Descent (foaled March 25, 2008 in Ocala, Florida) is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse. She established herself as a premier sprinter with Grade I wins at ages 2, 3, and 4. Turbulent Descent was the winner of more than $1.2 million in graded stakes race earnings over a three year racing career and holds the stakes record in the Santa Anita Oaks. In retirement, she has been successful as a broodmare producing a Group III winning colt, Spanish Steps, by Galileo.
| Turbulent Descent | |
|---|---|
| Breed | Thoroughbred |
| Sire | Congrats |
| Grandsire | A.P. Indy |
| Dam | Roger's Sue |
| Damsire | Forestry |
| Sex | Mare |
| Foaled | March 25th, 2008 (Age 12) |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Ocala Stud |
| Owner | Michael Tabor |
| Trainer | Mike Puype (2010-2011) Todd Pletcher (2012) |
| Jockey | David Flores (2010-2011) John Velazquez (2012) |
| Record | 14:8:2:0 |
| Earnings | $1,211,640.00 |
| Major wins | |
| Hollywood Starlet Stakes (2010) Santa Anita Oaks (2011) Test Stakes (2011) Ballerina Stakes (2012) | |
Background
Turbulent Descent was bred in Florida and is the winningest daughter of champion sire Congrats. She was purchased by syndicate owner Blinkers On Racing Stable for $160,000 at the April 2010 Ocala Breeders Sale with the intention to base her in California under trainer Mike Puype. She injured her ankle during the flight to California after the plane encountered significant turbulence. The incident pushed training back by several months and served as inspiration for her name.
Racing career
2010: two-year-old season
Turbulent Descent made her debut at Hollywood Park on October 3rd, 2010 in a 6 furlong maiden special weight. After stalking the pace in fourth, she moved up to challenge the leaders at the quarter pole and faced little opposition. Untouched by the whip, she beat Canadian Pride by 1/2 length. She then made her stakes debut in the Moccasin Stakes on November 21st. Under a hand ride again, she won by a length as the 3/5 favorite. This marked the first meeting between Turbulent Descent and Zazu, owned by Jerry Moss