One of the leading Kentucky Derby contenders, The Pamplemousse is an early favorite for the 72nd running of the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 4 at Santa Anita Park.
The 2009 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles is one of the major prep races for the Kentucky Derby 135 on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
“He’ll definitely be the (morning line) favorite,” said Jeff Tufts, who has been providing program odds at Southern California tracks for some 30 years.
The son of Kafwain, The Pamplemousse is unbeaten in 3 route races after losing his first 2 starts in sprints. The gray ghost trained by Julio Canani broke his maiden last Dec. 14 at Hollywood Park, winning by nearly 3 lengths going 1 1/16 miles. The Pamplemousse captured the San Rafael Stakes (G3) at one mile next out Jan. 17 on Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride, and came back with a wire to wire score by six lengths in the Sham Stakes (G3) at 1 1/8 miles Feb. 28.
Also one of the leading Kentucky Derby entries, Pioneerof the Nile, whose running style contrasts vividly from that of The Pamplemousse, figures to be the second choice, even though he has been favored in his last 3 races, each a stakes victory.
Trained by Bob Baffert, Pioneerof the Nile was the 7-5 choice winning the CashCall Futurity (G1) by a nose over I Want Revenge last Dec. 20 at Hollywood Park; the 17-10 favorite when he won the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita on Feb. 7; and the 3-10 choice winning the San Felipe Stakes (G2) on March 14.
Chocolate Candy, the odds-on favorite winning his last 2 stakes at Golden Gate Fields, looms the third choice.
Probable Santa Anita Derby entries are: Chocolate Candy, jockey Joel Rosario; Feisty Suances, no rider; Mr. Hot Stuff, Corey Nakatani; The Pamplemousse, Alex Solis; and Pioneerof the Nile, Garrett Gomez.
Horse racing news edited from www.santaanita.com
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
The last Saturday in March
By Paul Moran
Special to ESPN.com
Two of the last three winners of the Kentucky Derby have come out of the Florida Derby. Once upon a time not so long ago, winning the Derby off a five-week respite was considered unlikely, perhaps impossible. Not so, trainer Michael Matz said before Barbaro did exactly that in 2006. A year ago, the time between races was not an issue with Big Brown, who had others but won on the first Saturday of May with absolute authority.
Whatever the fate of its winner in May, Saturday's Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park will most certainly have a meaningful impact on the shape and form of the Kentucky Derby field. Two of the season's most interesting and obviously talented 3-year-olds — a group summarized by trainer Todd Pletcher as: pretty good, pretty deep and, by the numbers, pretty fast — will be in the cast at Hallandale Beach.
It may be part of the dynamic in a year when very good 3-year-old have emerged on both coasts, Louisiana, Arkansas and Dubai but prep races this early in the season seldom come with the sort of drama that is brewing in Florida. The Pletcher-trained Dunkirk, a $3.7-million yearling who was unraced at age 2 and now grown into an imposing roan, has run only twice and may very well be the best of his age in training, but he is not guaranteed a place in the Kentucky Derby field unless he wins the Derby run on the last Saturday of March.
Dunkirk has impressed Pletcher from the outset. "He got my attention the first time he breezed. We were thinking he was something special back in November," he said, dismissing the suggestion that a move from obviously overmatched allowance company to a Grade 1 may be an unreasonable demand. "We're asking the appropriate question," he said.
The answer must be yes. Dunkirk needs money in the form of graded stakes earnings, very important in an age when every Derby field numbers 20 and those on the bubble are often excluded at entry time. Given the guarantee of a starting position to the winner of the Derby Challenge run in England last week, only 19 spots remain in the Churchill barrier. This is one of the few situations in which Dunkirk's' connections Magnier, Tabor and Smith, also known as Coolmore, also known as the folks who brought you The Green Money, the all-time slowest $16-million career maiden could find themselves excluded for lack of money. "A win obviously puts us in," Pletcher said. "Second and he's on the bubble."
In consideration of Dunkirk's position and the crucial nature of the race, Pletcher said he is considering a maiden named Europe as the designated rabbit. Quality Road, Pletcher said, is not a horse he would enjoy seeing loose on the lead while setting a comfortable pace.
While Dunkirk has won his two races from behind the pace, the first while overcoming a poor start, traffic delays and lost ground, Quality Road has been right there in each of his three starts, most recently in a very impressive punishment of those he faced in the Fountain of Youth Stakes last month.
Trainer Jimmy Jerkens understands why Pletcher would enter a rabbit. He'd do the same thing himself under the circumstances. But Quality Road, he said, has given no indication that he is in need of the lead. Long morning gallops, Jerkens said, have shown that Quality Road is capable of relaxing behind horses. "He's fast, but I believe he's very ratable."
Pletcher contends that speed figures do not accurately reflect the strength of Dunkirk's victories. Quality Road's Fountain of Youth and I Want Revenge's Gotham are the strongest races run by any of these good, deep and fast 3-year-olds to this point.
At a point where this process is as contentious and interesting as any in recent years, a victory by either colt on Saturday will make this thick stew of 3-year-olds even more robust than it is now. Still, there will still be no clear favorite in the chase toward Kentucky. The Wood Memorial, Santa Anita Derby, Arkansas Derby, Blue Grass and Illinois Derby still to come.
Paul Moran is a two-time winner of the Media Eclipse Award, and has received various honors from the National Association of Newspaper Editors, Society of Silurians, Long Island Press Club and Long Island Veterinary Medical Association. He has also been given the Red Smith Award for his coverage of the Kentucky Derby. Paul maintains paulmoranattheraces.blogspot.com and can be contacted at paulmoran47@hotmail.com.
Special to ESPN.com
Two of the last three winners of the Kentucky Derby have come out of the Florida Derby. Once upon a time not so long ago, winning the Derby off a five-week respite was considered unlikely, perhaps impossible. Not so, trainer Michael Matz said before Barbaro did exactly that in 2006. A year ago, the time between races was not an issue with Big Brown, who had others but won on the first Saturday of May with absolute authority.
Whatever the fate of its winner in May, Saturday's Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park will most certainly have a meaningful impact on the shape and form of the Kentucky Derby field. Two of the season's most interesting and obviously talented 3-year-olds — a group summarized by trainer Todd Pletcher as: pretty good, pretty deep and, by the numbers, pretty fast — will be in the cast at Hallandale Beach.
It may be part of the dynamic in a year when very good 3-year-old have emerged on both coasts, Louisiana, Arkansas and Dubai but prep races this early in the season seldom come with the sort of drama that is brewing in Florida. The Pletcher-trained Dunkirk, a $3.7-million yearling who was unraced at age 2 and now grown into an imposing roan, has run only twice and may very well be the best of his age in training, but he is not guaranteed a place in the Kentucky Derby field unless he wins the Derby run on the last Saturday of March.
Dunkirk has impressed Pletcher from the outset. "He got my attention the first time he breezed. We were thinking he was something special back in November," he said, dismissing the suggestion that a move from obviously overmatched allowance company to a Grade 1 may be an unreasonable demand. "We're asking the appropriate question," he said.
The answer must be yes. Dunkirk needs money in the form of graded stakes earnings, very important in an age when every Derby field numbers 20 and those on the bubble are often excluded at entry time. Given the guarantee of a starting position to the winner of the Derby Challenge run in England last week, only 19 spots remain in the Churchill barrier. This is one of the few situations in which Dunkirk's' connections Magnier, Tabor and Smith, also known as Coolmore, also known as the folks who brought you The Green Money, the all-time slowest $16-million career maiden could find themselves excluded for lack of money. "A win obviously puts us in," Pletcher said. "Second and he's on the bubble."
In consideration of Dunkirk's position and the crucial nature of the race, Pletcher said he is considering a maiden named Europe as the designated rabbit. Quality Road, Pletcher said, is not a horse he would enjoy seeing loose on the lead while setting a comfortable pace.
While Dunkirk has won his two races from behind the pace, the first while overcoming a poor start, traffic delays and lost ground, Quality Road has been right there in each of his three starts, most recently in a very impressive punishment of those he faced in the Fountain of Youth Stakes last month.
Trainer Jimmy Jerkens understands why Pletcher would enter a rabbit. He'd do the same thing himself under the circumstances. But Quality Road, he said, has given no indication that he is in need of the lead. Long morning gallops, Jerkens said, have shown that Quality Road is capable of relaxing behind horses. "He's fast, but I believe he's very ratable."
Pletcher contends that speed figures do not accurately reflect the strength of Dunkirk's victories. Quality Road's Fountain of Youth and I Want Revenge's Gotham are the strongest races run by any of these good, deep and fast 3-year-olds to this point.
At a point where this process is as contentious and interesting as any in recent years, a victory by either colt on Saturday will make this thick stew of 3-year-olds even more robust than it is now. Still, there will still be no clear favorite in the chase toward Kentucky. The Wood Memorial, Santa Anita Derby, Arkansas Derby, Blue Grass and Illinois Derby still to come.
Paul Moran is a two-time winner of the Media Eclipse Award, and has received various honors from the National Association of Newspaper Editors, Society of Silurians, Long Island Press Club and Long Island Veterinary Medical Association. He has also been given the Red Smith Award for his coverage of the Kentucky Derby. Paul maintains paulmoranattheraces.blogspot.com and can be contacted at paulmoran47@hotmail.com.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Greg Melikov’s Top 10 Kentucky Derby Contenders 2009
Friesan Fire: Well-bred son of A. P. Indy earns top ranking because he answered the most important question: What have you done for me lately? Well, he’s the first 3-year-old to sweep the Fair Grounds version of Triple Crown races in 16 years. He won the Louisiana Derby, covering the 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy surface in an impressive 1:43 2/5.
Conditioner Larry Jones indicated his trainee might train up to the Kentucky Derby 135. His Hard Spun did just that after winning in 2007, but six weeks later he ran third at Churchill Downs. Ah, but the horse is being shipped to Keeneland where he could run on April 11 in the Blue Grass. Street Sense hit the board at Lexington before winning at Louisville.
I Want Revenge: He scorched the opposition in the Gotham on a sloppy Aqueduct, sharing the highest speed figure recorded by a top Kentucky Derby contender in preps. Whether the son of Stephen Got Even wins one for his sire, which had a troubled trip in the ‘99 Derby and finished way back, depends on how he performs in the Wood Memorial.
Pioneer of the Nile & The Pamplemousse: Best of the West title will be decided in the Santa Anita Derby. Pioneer of the Nile comes off a 1 1/4-length victory diving in the San Felipe, covering the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 1/5, a tick under four seconds off the track record. The son of Empire Maker, runner-up in the ‘05 Kentucky Derby and winner of the Belmont Stakes, has tactical speed and turns it on in the stretch.
The Pamplemousse goes for his fourth in row after taking the Sham by eight lengths ridden out, running the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47 4/5, a tick over two seconds off the track record. The son of Kafwain likes to go straight to the front and say, “catch me if you can.”
Both race horses must repeat their synthetic surface form when they try conventional dirt for the first time at Churchill Downs.
Quality Road and Dunkirk: May the better thoroughbred win the Florida Derby 2009. Both posted impressive victories in that last appearance at Gulfstream Park. Quality Road, who likes to run near the front or on the lead, won the Fountain of Youth by 4 1/4 lengths, covering the mile in a respectable 1:35, His speed figured tied I Want Revenge.
Dunkirk: He’s the buzz horse after winning a 1 1/8-mile Gulfstream allowance race by 4 3/4 lengths on Feb. 19. Unbeaten in 2 career starts, both this year, the son of Unbridled’s Song must win or run second to meet the graded stakes earnings criterion.
Old Fashioned: The once top-rated 3-year-old Kentucky Derby hopeful, another son of Unbridled’s Song, pressed a fast pace and led by 2 1/2 lengths in the stretch before weakening to run second beaten 2 1/4 lengths on a good Oaklawn Park surface. The winner: Win Willy, son of ‘01 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, returned $115.60. What Old Fashioned does in the Arkansas Derby will have an impact on the 2009 Kentucky Derby.
Imperial Council: Another son of Empire Maker whose granddad Thunder Gulch captured the ‘95 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner, must also finish first or second in the Wood Memorial to make the Kentucky Derby and finishing second to I Want Revenge in the Gotham.
Theregoesjojo: The runner-up to Quality Road in the Fountain of Youth also must finish first or second in the 2009 Florida Derby to earn a starting berth on May 2. The son of Brahms did beat Quality Road by 2 3/4 lengths in a non-winners-of-two contest on Jan. 10 at Gulfstream, but that was at seven furlongs.
Take the Points: Runner-up in the Sham after scoring twice on the dirt must finish first or second in either the Santa Anita or Blue Grass to make the 135th Kentucky Derby.
Conditioner Larry Jones indicated his trainee might train up to the Kentucky Derby 135. His Hard Spun did just that after winning in 2007, but six weeks later he ran third at Churchill Downs. Ah, but the horse is being shipped to Keeneland where he could run on April 11 in the Blue Grass. Street Sense hit the board at Lexington before winning at Louisville.
I Want Revenge: He scorched the opposition in the Gotham on a sloppy Aqueduct, sharing the highest speed figure recorded by a top Kentucky Derby contender in preps. Whether the son of Stephen Got Even wins one for his sire, which had a troubled trip in the ‘99 Derby and finished way back, depends on how he performs in the Wood Memorial.
Pioneer of the Nile & The Pamplemousse: Best of the West title will be decided in the Santa Anita Derby. Pioneer of the Nile comes off a 1 1/4-length victory diving in the San Felipe, covering the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 1/5, a tick under four seconds off the track record. The son of Empire Maker, runner-up in the ‘05 Kentucky Derby and winner of the Belmont Stakes, has tactical speed and turns it on in the stretch.
The Pamplemousse goes for his fourth in row after taking the Sham by eight lengths ridden out, running the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47 4/5, a tick over two seconds off the track record. The son of Kafwain likes to go straight to the front and say, “catch me if you can.”
Both race horses must repeat their synthetic surface form when they try conventional dirt for the first time at Churchill Downs.
Quality Road and Dunkirk: May the better thoroughbred win the Florida Derby 2009. Both posted impressive victories in that last appearance at Gulfstream Park. Quality Road, who likes to run near the front or on the lead, won the Fountain of Youth by 4 1/4 lengths, covering the mile in a respectable 1:35, His speed figured tied I Want Revenge.
Dunkirk: He’s the buzz horse after winning a 1 1/8-mile Gulfstream allowance race by 4 3/4 lengths on Feb. 19. Unbeaten in 2 career starts, both this year, the son of Unbridled’s Song must win or run second to meet the graded stakes earnings criterion.
Old Fashioned: The once top-rated 3-year-old Kentucky Derby hopeful, another son of Unbridled’s Song, pressed a fast pace and led by 2 1/2 lengths in the stretch before weakening to run second beaten 2 1/4 lengths on a good Oaklawn Park surface. The winner: Win Willy, son of ‘01 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, returned $115.60. What Old Fashioned does in the Arkansas Derby will have an impact on the 2009 Kentucky Derby.
Imperial Council: Another son of Empire Maker whose granddad Thunder Gulch captured the ‘95 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner, must also finish first or second in the Wood Memorial to make the Kentucky Derby and finishing second to I Want Revenge in the Gotham.
Theregoesjojo: The runner-up to Quality Road in the Fountain of Youth also must finish first or second in the 2009 Florida Derby to earn a starting berth on May 2. The son of Brahms did beat Quality Road by 2 3/4 lengths in a non-winners-of-two contest on Jan. 10 at Gulfstream, but that was at seven furlongs.
Take the Points: Runner-up in the Sham after scoring twice on the dirt must finish first or second in either the Santa Anita or Blue Grass to make the 135th Kentucky Derby.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Five Facts You Won’t Read in the New York Times
You may have seen this morning's edition of the New York Times that included Joe Drape's commentary on the current state of safety and integrity reforms within Thoroughbred racing and breeding. Unfortunately, his commentary contained errors and exaggerations and ignored irrefutable facts that did not support his premise. I have written a Letter to the Editor – but I also wanted to speak with you directly about what the NTRA and the industry have been doing over the past 10 months, when we united to implement meaningful reform in the area of safety and integrity. Although we have more work to do, we are proud that:
1. Anabolic steroids have been effectively banned in racing states representing 99.96 percent of Thoroughbred pari-mutuel handle.
2. Nearly 80 racetracks are participating in a new national injury reporting system that will provide comprehensive data leading to a safer racing environment.
3. National standards have been adopted with regard to horse shoe and hoof care that will lead to fewer equine injuries and greater health and safety for both horse and rider.
4. More than 55 racetracks – representing more than 90 percent of the Thoroughbred pari-mutuel handle in the U.S. – as well as owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, virtually every major horsemen's organization, veterinarians and regulators, and even fans, have pledged their support of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
5. Through an accreditation system similar to that utilized in industries like healthcare and education, members are instituting uniform policies relating to injury reporting; medication; testing and penalties; safety research; a safer racing environment; and aftercare of retired racehorses. Specific reforms involve pre- and post-race veterinarian exams, out-of-competition testing, security and testing protocols, and use of the riding crop, among others. We are just getting the accreditation process underway with the Triple Crown tracks, Delaware Park, Keeneland and Hollywood Park currently slated to be the first tracks accredited this Spring (See my previous blogs "All Aboard" and "The Code" on this topic). The accreditation process is time consuming, and ongoing compliance with the reforms will be very demanding. Real change does not occur overnight.
Through this blog I have strived to keep you updated on the industry's progress while also providing a vehicle for two-way communication. You have helped create a process that has led to a greater degree of transparency and better end result and for that I thank you.
Up until now, I've asked you to comment on issues relating to my blog. Today, I am asking you to read my response to the Times and to use e-mail and Twitter (@joedrape) to let Mr. Drape know if you agree with all or portions of what I wrote.
This movement toward reform has succeeded to this point based on the collaborative efforts of industry participants including customers and fans like you. The next several months will be vitally important to the industry as media re-visit the events of last year's Triple Crown. We do not doubt Mr. Drape's sincerity and concern for the safety of our equine and human athletes and we welcome any suggestions and constructive criticism. All we ask is that he and others get the facts right.
Thanks in advance for helping me set the record straight and for everything you do for our game.
1. Anabolic steroids have been effectively banned in racing states representing 99.96 percent of Thoroughbred pari-mutuel handle.
2. Nearly 80 racetracks are participating in a new national injury reporting system that will provide comprehensive data leading to a safer racing environment.
3. National standards have been adopted with regard to horse shoe and hoof care that will lead to fewer equine injuries and greater health and safety for both horse and rider.
4. More than 55 racetracks – representing more than 90 percent of the Thoroughbred pari-mutuel handle in the U.S. – as well as owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, virtually every major horsemen's organization, veterinarians and regulators, and even fans, have pledged their support of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
5. Through an accreditation system similar to that utilized in industries like healthcare and education, members are instituting uniform policies relating to injury reporting; medication; testing and penalties; safety research; a safer racing environment; and aftercare of retired racehorses. Specific reforms involve pre- and post-race veterinarian exams, out-of-competition testing, security and testing protocols, and use of the riding crop, among others. We are just getting the accreditation process underway with the Triple Crown tracks, Delaware Park, Keeneland and Hollywood Park currently slated to be the first tracks accredited this Spring (See my previous blogs "All Aboard" and "The Code" on this topic). The accreditation process is time consuming, and ongoing compliance with the reforms will be very demanding. Real change does not occur overnight.
Through this blog I have strived to keep you updated on the industry's progress while also providing a vehicle for two-way communication. You have helped create a process that has led to a greater degree of transparency and better end result and for that I thank you.
Up until now, I've asked you to comment on issues relating to my blog. Today, I am asking you to read my response to the Times and to use e-mail and Twitter (@joedrape) to let Mr. Drape know if you agree with all or portions of what I wrote.
This movement toward reform has succeeded to this point based on the collaborative efforts of industry participants including customers and fans like you. The next several months will be vitally important to the industry as media re-visit the events of last year's Triple Crown. We do not doubt Mr. Drape's sincerity and concern for the safety of our equine and human athletes and we welcome any suggestions and constructive criticism. All we ask is that he and others get the facts right.
Thanks in advance for helping me set the record straight and for everything you do for our game.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
This Ones for Phil a go for Swale
By Mike Welsch
Daily Racing Form
Trainer Rick Dutrow said he plans on entering This Ones for Phil in Saturday's Grade 3 Swale.
This Ones for Phil, who finished fifth after setting the pace in the Fountain of Youth, injured himself when getting cast in his stall several weeks ago. He worked for the first time since the Fountain of Youth on Monday, going five furlongs in 1:01 with Mario Madrid aboard.
"He went well and Mario said he didn't get tired, so I'm going to enter and probably run him in the Swale," Dutrow said during training hours here Monday. "He's always had a messed-up schedule. He got a quarter crack after the Fountain of Youth, then after going back to training got hurt doing something in his stall. I walked him for five days and jogged him another week after that, but he's a light horse, and coming off a mile race he should be fit enough to go seven furlongs on Saturday."
Dutrow, who just returned from Keeneland, where he oversaw Stardom Bound's work on Sunday, also said he does not plan to enter Danger to Society in the Florida Derby. Danger to Society also worked here Monday, going five furlongs in 1:01.80.
"I don't want to run here if the three favorites are running, and right now that seems to be the case," Dutrow said, referring to Dunkirk, Quality Road, and Theregoesjojo. "I'll look at the Wood and Arkansas Derby for his next start. He went really well this morning and he's ready to roll."
Big Drama set for 3-year-old debut
The Swale figures to come up a short but competitive field and will feature the return of Big Drama, who has not started since winning the Delta Jackpot in his 2-year-old finale. Trainer David Fawkes confirmed that Big Drama would make his 3-year-old debut in the Swale shortly after watching him work an easy half-mile in 49.20 at Calder on Monday.
"He worked phenomenal, did everything perfect," said Fawkes. "He's ready to go on Saturday."
Along with Big Drama and This Ones for Phil, the field for the Swale could also include Beacon Hill Road, Custom for Carlos, Sabi Sabi, and one or both of trainer Nick Zito's duo of Brave Victory and Rocketing Returns.
This is a May 2, 1992 file photo showing jockey Pat Day gesturing after winning the Kentucky Derby on Lil E. Tee at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.Lil E. Tee, the 1992 Kentucky Derby winner, has died. The horse was euthanized at age 20 at Old Frankfort Stud on March 18. Farm owner Jim Plemmons said the horse fell ill last month following an operation to repair an obstructed bowel and struggled to recover.
Daily Racing Form
Trainer Rick Dutrow said he plans on entering This Ones for Phil in Saturday's Grade 3 Swale.
This Ones for Phil, who finished fifth after setting the pace in the Fountain of Youth, injured himself when getting cast in his stall several weeks ago. He worked for the first time since the Fountain of Youth on Monday, going five furlongs in 1:01 with Mario Madrid aboard.
"He went well and Mario said he didn't get tired, so I'm going to enter and probably run him in the Swale," Dutrow said during training hours here Monday. "He's always had a messed-up schedule. He got a quarter crack after the Fountain of Youth, then after going back to training got hurt doing something in his stall. I walked him for five days and jogged him another week after that, but he's a light horse, and coming off a mile race he should be fit enough to go seven furlongs on Saturday."
Dutrow, who just returned from Keeneland, where he oversaw Stardom Bound's work on Sunday, also said he does not plan to enter Danger to Society in the Florida Derby. Danger to Society also worked here Monday, going five furlongs in 1:01.80.
"I don't want to run here if the three favorites are running, and right now that seems to be the case," Dutrow said, referring to Dunkirk, Quality Road, and Theregoesjojo. "I'll look at the Wood and Arkansas Derby for his next start. He went really well this morning and he's ready to roll."
Big Drama set for 3-year-old debut
The Swale figures to come up a short but competitive field and will feature the return of Big Drama, who has not started since winning the Delta Jackpot in his 2-year-old finale. Trainer David Fawkes confirmed that Big Drama would make his 3-year-old debut in the Swale shortly after watching him work an easy half-mile in 49.20 at Calder on Monday.
"He worked phenomenal, did everything perfect," said Fawkes. "He's ready to go on Saturday."
Along with Big Drama and This Ones for Phil, the field for the Swale could also include Beacon Hill Road, Custom for Carlos, Sabi Sabi, and one or both of trainer Nick Zito's duo of Brave Victory and Rocketing Returns.
This is a May 2, 1992 file photo showing jockey Pat Day gesturing after winning the Kentucky Derby on Lil E. Tee at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.Lil E. Tee, the 1992 Kentucky Derby winner, has died. The horse was euthanized at age 20 at Old Frankfort Stud on March 18. Farm owner Jim Plemmons said the horse fell ill last month following an operation to repair an obstructed bowel and struggled to recover.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Florida Derby Field at Gulfstream Park March 28 Taking Shape
Next Saturday’s 58th edition of the $750,000 Florida Derby (G1) will be the highlight of Gulfstream Park’s March 28 horse racing program.
The 2009 Florida Derby is one of the major prep races for the Kentucky Derby 135 to be held on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
A field of 7 or 8 is taking shape for the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, led by several of the nation’s most highly-regarded Kentucky Derby contenders — Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Dunkirk; Edward P. Evans’ Quality Road, John Oxley’s Beethoven and Samotawka Stables and partners’ Theregoesjojo.
Other probable Florida Derby entries include New Life Stable and Equus Racing Stable’s Stately Character, Korina Stable’s Sincero and one of several nominees trained by Nick Zito.
Also to be run on the 12-race Florida Derby Day program will be renewals of the $150,000 Swale Stakes (G2), also a one of the Kentucky Derby prep races, for 3-year-olds at 7 furlongs and the $100,000 Appleton Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf.
Leading prospects for the Swale field include Harold Queen’s Big Drama; Homewrecker Racing and Avalon Farm’s Custom for Carlos, Susan Moore and M and M Thoroughbreds’ Presto Change O and Soldi Stable’s Sabi Sabi.
Horse racing news edited from www.gulfstreampark.com.
The 2009 Florida Derby is one of the major prep races for the Kentucky Derby 135 to be held on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
A field of 7 or 8 is taking shape for the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, led by several of the nation’s most highly-regarded Kentucky Derby contenders — Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Dunkirk; Edward P. Evans’ Quality Road, John Oxley’s Beethoven and Samotawka Stables and partners’ Theregoesjojo.
Other probable Florida Derby entries include New Life Stable and Equus Racing Stable’s Stately Character, Korina Stable’s Sincero and one of several nominees trained by Nick Zito.
Also to be run on the 12-race Florida Derby Day program will be renewals of the $150,000 Swale Stakes (G2), also a one of the Kentucky Derby prep races, for 3-year-olds at 7 furlongs and the $100,000 Appleton Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf.
Leading prospects for the Swale field include Harold Queen’s Big Drama; Homewrecker Racing and Avalon Farm’s Custom for Carlos, Susan Moore and M and M Thoroughbreds’ Presto Change O and Soldi Stable’s Sabi Sabi.
Horse racing news edited from www.gulfstreampark.com.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Hold Me Back in Lane's End
By Jack Shinar
WinStar Farm's homebred Hold Me Back overcame a poor break to win the $500,000 Lane's End Stakes (gr. II) (VIDEO) at Turfway Park in his first start of 2009 for trainer Bill Mott March 21.
The 9-1 shot, ridden to victory by Kent Desormeaux, swept past the even more surprising Flying Private in mid-stretch to win by 1 3/4 lengths in the 1 1/8-mile Polytrack test for 3-year-olds. The final time was 1:49.63
Flying Private, at 24-1,was a clear second by four lengths over third-place finisher Proceed Bee, who edged Parade Clown by a half-length for the show spot.
Hold Me Back, a son of Giant's Causeway , paid $20.20, $9.40, and $7.40 for the win and topped a $2 exacta worth a whopping $586.80.
The two favorites in the 12-horse field, West Side Bernie (the slight 2-1 choice) and Bittel Road (also 2-1), finished sixth and 10th, respectively.
Hold Me Back won the first two races of his career as a 2-year-old on synthetic tracks, but ran fifth of seven in Aqueduct's 1 1/8-mile Remsen Stakes (gr. II) on Nov 29, his last start. He finished 14 lengths behind the victorious Old Fashioned in the Remsen, his only try on dirt.
The victory gives Hold Me Back $282,000 in graded stakes earnings.
“This was a $500,000 race, and it gave us graded earning if we want to dream big, and we’re dreaming big," said Doug Cauthen, president of WinStar Farm.
“He’s really strengthened and matured since last year. Kent rode a great race. He has that long stride and just kept going. The credit really goes to Bill (Mott) and the horse. We are very fortunate to have Bill and (vice president) Elliott Walden plotting his course.
“He’s named after (owner) Kenny Trout. He’s always saying ‘Hold me back’ if you’re joking with him. We’ve had a lot of luck with horses named for people in our organization like Colonel John and Sharp Susan.”
Hold Me Back, slow into stride, started last in the field from the rail but came five wide on the far turn with a big move to reach contention a furlong from home. Proceed Bee had gained a slender advantage in the homestretch under Rodney Prescott, but could not hold off Flying Private and Israel Ocampo, who took a short lead in the last furlong. Hold Me Back caught Flying Private near the sixteenth pole and drew off in the final strides.
Othodox set the pace -- :23.71, :47.84 and 1:12.43 -- and held on until the stretch run before fading quickly. Desormeaux said Hold Me Back had "a fearful start."
“I thought I was hopelessly beaten the second the doors opened," Desormeaux said. "He just stood there and it worked out really well in the end because closers perform so much better on (Polytrack). I had the favorite in my sights and I thought he looked like he wasn’t handling the going today."
Bred in Kentucky in partnership with Haras Santa Maria de Araras SA, Hold Me Back sold for $400,000 at Keeneland as a yearling in 2007. The dark bay colt is out of Restraint, by Unbridled's Song.
“The Derby is definitely our plan, but we’ll let the horse and Bill tell us if that is the right place," Walden said. "Our goal is the Derby every year.
“He had won two races last year as a 2-year-old, so there weren’t many allowance races that were going to fill for him at Gulfstream. One option was the Fountain of Youth (gr. II), but we didn’t think the one-turn mile was the right place," Walden added. “He’s three for three on the synthetics, so that’s why we thought of this race to bring him back. He just didn’t show up in his last race in the Remsen. He was all legs and bones. I think he’s probably put on 150 pounds since then. He’s a bigger horse and running with a purpose now."
Flying Private, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, was coming off a close runner-up finish in the six-furlong Mountain Valley Stakes at Oaklawn Park Feb. 28, his stakes debut. The quickly improving Fusaichi Pegasus colt returned $22.60 and $11.20. Proceed Bee, winner of the 1 1/16-mile John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Feb. 28, was $9.60 to show.
Parade Clown was followed by Jack Spratt, West Side Bernie, Bruce N Autumn, A.P. Cardinal, Loch Dubh, Bittle Road, Orthodox and Dynamite Bob.
Trainer Kelly Breen said he's not sure why West Side Bernie failed to respond.
"It seemed like—we tried to push him a little bit early, (because of the way speed was playing) and the jockey (Edgar Prado) said he sort of resented it," Breen said. "We’ll put our heads together and see what we’re going to do.”
One race earlier, Cliffy’s Future came from dead last to win the $100,000 Rushaway Stakes for 3-year-olds by 2 1/2 widening lengths over Ziegfeld. Toccet Rocket was a head farther back in third. Cliffy’s Future is owned by Silverton Hill and trained by Darrin Miller, the same connections who sent out Dominican to win the 2007 Rushaway.
It was the first stakes win for Cliffy’s Future, who ran a sluggish eighth last time out in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 14. That was his first start for Silverton Hill after a private purchase. Prior to that Tampa effort, he had been risked for a $75,000 claiming tag twice in races at Aqueduct over the winter.
Ridden by jockey Jesus Castanon, the 3-year-old colt by The Cliffs Edge raced at the back of the pack early, then swung wide turning for home and drove past the early leaders under a steady drive. Final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:44.38.
Sent off as the fifth choice in the field of eight, Cliffy’s Future paid $16.40, $6.80, and $5.00.
The order of finish in the Rushaway: Cliffy’s Future, Ziegfeld, Toccet Rocket, Sundays Baby Grand, No Inflation, Fitzaslew, Summer’s Empire and Ninth Client.
Copyright © 2009 Blood-Horse Publications. All rights reserved internationally.
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