Newborn Tough Sunday struggles to survive. Photo Credit: Tough Sunday FB

Tough Sunday never had it easy, not from day one. He was born with “dumb foal syndrome”, deprived of oxygen during birth, he was born blind and deaf.  His first week of life was spent at the veterinary hospital. Tough Sunday showed little improvement. Owner/breeder, Nick Alexander walked down to the stall to contemplate his difficult decision. Remarkably, the colt was looking right at him, tracking his movement. Tough Sunday’s sight was miraculously restored however, he was still deaf.

Alexander returned with the mare and colt and turned them out with others. “Bruiser”, as he is affectionately called around the barn, behaved like the foals.  When he was old enough Alexander sent him to the track with the other horses. Tough Sunday did not disappoint at the track placing third, then second and on his third go, he broke his maiden as a 2-year-old.

On March 11, 2018, six-year-old Tough Sunday won his first stakes race, the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Ridden by jockey, Joe Talamo, Tough Sunday took the lead in the home stretch winning the 6 ½ furlong turf race by a length.

“What a cool horse. He pretty much did all the work today, Talamo said. “I just put him in the race.”

Tough Sunday’s record is 5-5-5 from 18 starts. He has $333,838 in earnings.

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