Practical Move

Practical Move earned his first win in his third career start in a 2-year-old maiden race at Santa Anita on Oct. 10, 2022, taking a one-mile dirt race via disqualification when moved from second to first after being interfered with in mid-stretch by Fort Bragg, who crossed the finish line in front. From there, Practical Move was sent up versus stakes competition for the first time in the Grade 3 $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes on Nov. 20 at Del Mar, where he finished third in a five-horse field. 

Practical Move enjoyed his career breakout performance on Dec. 17 when he upset heavily favored Arabian Lion to take the Grade 2, $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity at 1 1/16 miles. Sent off as the fourth choice in a field of five 2-year-olds, Practical Move pressed a solid pace until taking charge turning for home and drawing off through the stretch for a 3 1/4-length win in a time of 1:41.65. The Los Alamitos Futurity was a Road to the Kentucky Derby points race, and with his victory, Practical Move earned 10 qualifying points for the starting gate for the 2013 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve.

The colt returned from a 2 ½-month layoff for his 3-year-old debut in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes, and despite his Grade 2 success in his previous start he was sent off as the 4.20-1 fourth-betting choice in the nine-horse field. Practical Move proved much the best, however, as he stalked the pace under Ramon Vazquez and powered to a 2 1/2-length win in 1:42.01 for 1 1/16 miles. The victory essentially guaranteed Practical Move a spot in the 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby as the 50 qualifying points for the San Felipe win gave him a total of 60.

Practical Move made his next start as the even-money favorite in an eight-horse field in the Grade 1 $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 8. It was not easy, but Practical Move got the job done under regular rider Ramon Vazquez to win by a nose over Japanese invader Mandarin Hero by a nose and over third-place finisher Skinner by a half a length. Practical Move stalked the pace, inched closer on the turn, took command at the top of the stretch, and then fought hard to hold off the late runners in a time of 1:48.69 for the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track. Practical Move earned the maximum 100 points making him one of the top point earners on the Road the to the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Unfortunately, the horse was withdrawn from the 149th Derby on May 4 due to an elevated temperature.

On Oct. 6, Practical Move returned for his first appearance since the Santa Anita Derby and impressively won a one-mile allowance race at his home track. He was entered in the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Dirt Mile, also to be held at Santa Anita on Nov. 4, but suffered a cardiac event while returning from a gallop on Oct. 31 and died. He won five of eight starts overall and earned $923,200.

Practical Move is trained by Tim Yakteen. He was bred in Kentucky by the sire Practical Joke out of multiple stakes-placed winner Ack Naughty, by Afleet Alex.