Frank Stronach has purchased a majority interest in three-time grade I winner Point of Entry for breeding purposes from the Phipps Stable, and will maintain half-interest in the horse during his 2013 racing career.
"He bought 50 percent of him for racing and he'll take 100 percent of him for breeding and let the Phipps retain a small piece," Hall of Fame horseman Shug McGaughey confirmed Jan. 18.
Bloodstock agent Eugenio Colombo brokered the deal on behalf of Stronach. It will allow the 5-year-old son of Dynaformer to continue his campaign with McGaughey. The trainer said Point of Entry's season will be much the same as last year, with an eye on the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Point of Entry won five straight turf races in 2012, including impressive performances in the Elkhorn Stakes (gr. IIT) at Keeneland, the Man o' War Stakes (gr. IT) at Belmont Park, the Sword Dancer Invitational (gr. IT) at Saratoga Race Course, and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (gr. IT) back at Belmont. He was second in the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park, beaten half a length by Little Mike, concluding the season with earnings of $1,746,600. All of his wins were at the 1 1/2-mile distance except the Man o' War, a 1 3/8-mile test.
Point of Entry turned in his most recent breeze Jan. 16 at Payson Park Training Center, going four furlongs on the dirt in :49 1/5.
The big bay is to make his 2013 debut in the 1 1/8-mile Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. IT) Feb. 9. He is expected to tangle with Animal Kingdom , winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and runner-up in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) behind leading Horse of the Year candidate Wise Dan.
"We're tickled to death the way he's been doing," McGaughey said. "He had a little time off after the Breeders' Cup, and his works have been really good up there (at Payson). A mile and an eighth is probably not his ideal distance, but it's a good place to get him started back."
Point of Entry was bred in Kentucky by the Phipps' family out of the Seeking the Gold mare Matlacha Pass. His career record currently stands at 7-3-1 from 15 starts.