Pegasus Playbook: Deal Done

Courtesy Gulfstream Park

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, a private racing stable owned by Dean and Patti Reeves of Atlanta, Ga., is one of a dozen stakeholders in the $12-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, the world's richest horse race to be run Saturday, Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park.

The Reeveses, who formed their stable in 2009 with trainer Kathy Ritvo and campaigned 2013 GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Mucho Macho Man, are currently searching for a horse to contest the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus.

Dean Reeves shares his thoughts on the process of acquiring a participant for the Pegasus World Cup as well as participating in this unique event.

I have been working on trying to get a horse to run in our position in the Pegasus World Cup for over six weeks now, and I must say I'm worn out! Here are some of the results of discussions over the past six weeks.

I thought I had Connect but the decision was made not run him. Then I thought I had Midnight Storm and the decision was made not to run him either. Then I thought I might have a shot at Arrogate, but that chance went up in flames pretty quickly. I missed on Keen Ice and Gun Runner, so things were beginning to look dim. I thought maybe Conquest Enforcer would be a nice candidate, but as it turns out it was best to run him in California for now.

In the end many of the owners and trainers made the decision not to run because they were doing what was best for their horse, so I have the utmost respect for those decisions and always applaud putting the horses' best interest first in any situation.

As I sat at the barn Sunday afternoon contemplating the dire situation I looked down the shed row and there was “BG.” Now BG is a goat Kathy Ritvo got to be our night time security guard to save money. BG (Baby Goat) does a great job, but he is a little tough on the kids that come by the barn because he is sort of a bully. BG is tough and fast but I'm just not sure if he can get a mile and an eighth.

My phone suddenly rang and awoke me from my stupor. I thought it might have been good news on an offer, but instead it was a reporter wanting to know if I had a deal done on a horse yet.

It was then off to the airport and back to Atlanta. During the flight I thought of a saying we have in Georgia when things can't seem to get done. The saying is: “It's time to get the Ox out of the ditch.”

So I became determined to get a deal done on Monday as we are less than three weeks from race day.

By Monday afternoon I had a deal done!

Which horse is it you ask?

Well that info will be out shortly in a press release. I am excited to partner with this horse's connections and I do like our chances!

Thanks for riding along with me on this journey. I must give a lot of credit to Jay Stone, who has been instrumental in helping me navigate through the many horses we discussed along the way. Jay was a big help in analyzing the horses and making contacts to many of the horse owners around the country. Couldn't have done it without his help.

See you at Gulfstream.

Cheers,

Dean