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Southern Image
Dark Bay/Brown Colt by Halo’s Image-Pleasant Dixie
by Dixieland Band
Owners:Blahut Stables, Kagel Brothers,
Allen Tepper, et al
Trainer: Michael Machowsky
Royalties earned from the sale of Southern Image hats will
be donated to the Edwin
J. Gregson foundation, which provides scholarships
to children of backstretch employees.
At 3
WON Malibu G1
3rd San Vicente G2
At 4
WON Santa Anita H G1
WON Pimlico Special H G1
WON Sunshine Millions Classic
2nd Stephen Foster G1
Last Start: Stephen Foster (G1), June
12, 2004
Next Start: Undetermined
Horsehat.com Fast Fact: Dixieland Band,
the sire of Southern Image’s dam Pleasant Dixie, is
also the damsire of 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos
as well as other 2004 standouts, Champali, Limehouse. Pollard’s
Vision and Magistretti.
With Pleasantly Perfect either in Dubai or recovering from
that adventure, Southern Image was the most accomplished
Older/Handicap runner in America during the first half of
2004.
He began his campaign with a facile win in the $1 million
Sunshine Millions at Santa Anita. From there he went on
to win the prestigious G1 Santa Anita Handicap before heading
east for a triumph in the G1 Pimlico Special.
"I was pretty confident," trainer Mike Machowsky
said after the Special. "My horse was going so easy
about the five-eighths pole I knew we were going to be pretty
tough. It was his best effort yet. Everytime this horse
runs, it brings tears to my eyes. He just keeps getting
better and better. We still haven't found the bottom of
this horse."
In his next start he ran a courageous second to Colonial
Colony in the G1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs, spotting
his rival 14 pounds that day on a slippery track surface.
Unfortunately, Southern Image has experienced a recurrence
of his early-career foot problems and will miss a date in
the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He is now being pointed
to the major winter races at the 2005 Santa Anita meet.
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