The Maiden 2020

Jose’s Twist of Gin & BJ Richards win The Maiden for owner Patti Pollack.

Jose’s Twist of Gin and BJ Richards flipped The Maiden on it’s head taking home the top prize in 2020.

The Colt Center knew they had something special on their hands when they brought home a prospect in June of 2020. Jose’s Twist of Gin (barn name Gus) was discovered with Troy Richards and is a product of the MTSU Breeding Program & Dr. Dave Whitaker. He is by the great Jose Jose and out of Gen’s Black Gin mare.

Bobby and BJ took the colt for a quick round or two in the barn the day they got home. An audible “WHOA!” was heard from the small group of family and customers after BJ rode him just a few steps. Everyone knew this colt was headed to the Maiden. In the few, short weeks leading to The Maiden, Gus had his good and bad days. But all the customers watching knew that when Gus came together, no one would be able to stop watching.

Fast forward to The Maiden filled with 35 entries. After an outstanding debut in his preliminary split, Gus went onto the Maiden Final. By the end of the class, there were trainers in lineup applauding as BJ and Gus made their final pass. Not long after that moment, Jose’s Twist of Gin was announced as the unanimous winner of the 2nd annual Maiden Championship. Later that year with his new owner Patti Pollack, Gus went onto a World Championship and a World Grand Championship at The Celebration. He maintained an undefeated career for the entirety of his 3-year-old year, and he consistently sees top placings at all shows to this day.

Jose’s Twist of Gin remains in training with The Colt Center in Franklin, Tennessee and is owned by S&P LLC out of Saratoga, California.