MASTER OF DISASTER DESTROYS MAIDEN FIELD

Master of Disaster lived up to his name on May 10 at Delaware Park, demolishing a field of maidens by more than 13 lengths. He'll look to stay undefeated Friday when he starts in the five-furlong Flash Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-olds at Belmont Park.
Four colts will oppose Master of Disaster, who is coupled with Speed to Spare for trainer Steve Klesaris, who will not run both horses. He says he intends on starting Master of Disaster and only entered Speed to Spare "as insurance."

Master of Disaster is a son of Dance Master who sold for $600,000 as a 2-year-old in training back in February. That's a lot of money to pay for any horse, let alone one that is sired by a young and unproven stallion. Master of Disaster, however, looks and acts the part.

"He showed well, he breezed well and he's an outstanding individual," Klesaris said. "So far he's done everything correctly."

Master of Disaster led from start to finish in his debut after breaking from the rail. Under little encouragement from jockey Ramon Dominguez, Master of Disaster managed to equal the track record, running 4 1/2 furlongs in :51 4/5.

"His time is even more impressive when you take into account he debuted on a day when the track was very deep," Klesaris said. "Older horses were running six furlongs in 1:15."

Master of Disaster was clearly freakish first time out and has limitless potential. Klesaris, however, is faced with the tough task of keeping this horse, a horse that might be too fast for his own good right now, in one piece.

"That's your job as a trainer, keeping these animals sound," Klesaris said. "Everything is critical and every move we make is calculated. A lot goes into it."