Candy Ride

Candy Ride did not officially race at age two. However, he made several starts over sprint distances as short as two furlongs in what is referred to as "country racing" in Argentina. His record in these unofficial races is unknown, but helped establish his reputation.[3] He went off as the favorite in his first official start at the Hipodromo Argentino on August 9, 2002 in a maiden race over 1,200 meters (roughly 6 furlongs) on the dirt. After tracking the early leader, he took the lead halfway through the race and continued to draw away to win by twelve lengths.[5][6]

For his next start on October 12, Candy Ride was stepped up to the Group One level in the Gran Premio San Isidro at a distance of 1,600 meters (roughly one mile) on the turf. Going off at odds of 4–1 in a field of 11, he rated in fourth place then went to the lead with 2+1⁄2 furlongs remaining. He drew clear to win by 8 lengths.[5][6]

Candy Ride made the final start of the year in the Gran Premio Joaquin S de Anchorena, another Group 1 event at a distance of a 1,600 meters on the turf. He once again tracked the early pace and then moved to the lead with three furlongs to go. He won by eight lengths in a time of 1:31.01, a world record. His dominating performances earned the colt Argentine Champion Miler honors.[3][5][6]

In January 2003, Candy Ride was purchased for US$900,000 by Americans Sid and Jenny Craig. The couple had previously met with great success with horses bought in Argentina, most notably with Paseana, who won the 1992 Breeders' Cup Distaff and was voted the Eclipse Award as American Champion Older Female Horse for 1992 and 1993. The Craigs sent Candy Ride into training with Hall of FamerRon McAnally.[3][4]

On June 7, 2003, Candy Ride made his American debut in an allowance race at Hollywood Park over 1+1⁄16 miles on the dirt. He dueled for the early lead then took the lead turning to home to win by three lengths. His next start was on July 4 as the even money favorite in the Grade II American Handicap at Hollywood Park at a distance of 1+1⁄8 on the turf. He and Special Ring raced heads apart for most of the race before Candy Ride finally pulled clear in the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length.[5] "The jets got cranked up at the half-mile pole and they just kept cranking," said jockey Gary Stevens. "He gives me a heck of a good feeling."[7]

In what turned out to be his last race, Candy Ride was entered in the Grade I Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar over a distance of 1+1⁄4 miles on the dirt. Medaglia d'Oro, the 3-5 favorite, went to the early lead and set moderate fractions of :232⁄5 for the first quarter-mile and :464⁄5 for the half. Candy Ride bobbled at the start but soon recovered to settle into second place. He took the lead turning for home and drew off to win by 3+1⁄4 lengths while setting a track record of 1:59:11. In beating the highly regarded (2nd), Candy Ride earned a Beyer speed figure of 123, the highest of any horse in the United States in 2003.[3][5]

After inheriting the ride from an injured Gary Stevens, Julie Krone became the first female jockey to win a million dollar race. She credited Stevens for sharing his knowledge of the colt's idiosyncrasies, and wondered, "How good a horse is he? Wow! That's how good a horse he is. Amazing. He is a rocketship. I still can't believe this is real. Pulling up, I asked the pony rider to pinch me. I asked the clerk of scales if this was really happening."[8]

Because Candy Ride was foaled in Argentina, his breeders had not nominated him for the Breeders' Cup and as such, the Craigs would have been required to pay an $800,000 supplemental fee if they wanted to run their horse in the Breeders' Cup Classic.[9] McNally also noted that the colt's feet were very small and he wanted to remove the horseshoes to allow the feet to spread naturally.[10] With a view to racing in 2004, Candy Ride was given some time off and returned to training in December 2003. However, a variety of issues kept delaying his return to racing, and he was retired to stud in August 2004.[11]

His major stakes winners include:[18]

c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding

Candy Ride's most notable progeny includes:

• Capt. Candyman Can: In 2008, won Iroquois Stakes (Churchill Downs). In 2009, won King's Bishop Stakes, Hutcheson Stakes, Bay Shore Stakes, Matt Winn Stakes.
• Misremembered: In 2009, won Los Alamitos Derby and Indiana Derby. In 2010, won Santa Anita Handicap.
• Twirling Candy: In 2010, won Malibu Stakes, Del Mar Derby, Oceanside Stakes. In 2011, won Strub Stakes.
• Sidney's Candy: In 2010, won Santa Anita Derby, San Vicente Stakes, San Felipe Stakes, La Jolla Handicap, Sir Beaufort Stakes.