Well, the weekend didn't go too well for my selections on the Triple Crown Trail. Racing was canceled at Santa Anita, Eightyfiveinafifty decided he didn't feel like running . . . at least not in the right direction . . . and a couple of my other selections just plain failed.
First off, I shall wrap up the Whirlaway Stakes of February 6th. To me, the race looked perfect for Eightfiveinafifty, but he was very rank, and going into the first turn bolted to the outside fence. I don't quite know what happened after that, but it sounded like he either jumped over or went through the outer rail, throwing his rider in the process. Then he ran around the barn area for a while until he was cornered. When caught, it was discovered that his bit was broken. Whether or not this happened going in to the first turn or later is unknown. But other than a cut on one of his legs, he was okay, and should be back in training soon. While all this was going on, Peppi Knows got a nice stalking trip behind pace setting Papa's Nice Cat, took the lead from him moving towards the homestretch and repelled all challenges. Afleet Again, at something like 21-1, raced far back throughout, but made a huge run late to just miss by one length. Three Day Rush finished third, Papa's Nice Cat fourth, and Turf Melody scratched.
So, the final results. . .
1 Peppi Knows
2 Afleet Again
3 Three Day Rush
4 Papa's Nice Cat
5 Eightyfiveinafifty
And my selections. . .
1 Eightyfiveinafifty
2 Afleet Again
3 Peppi Knows
4 Three Day Rush
5 Papa's Nice Cat
So I didn't do too badly. I'm looking forward to Afleet Again's next race, whatever it may be. Peppi Knows is definitely a horse to watch, but I'm not sure that he is Triple Crown caliber. Finally, it's possible that Eightyfiveinafifty could return to the Triple Crown Trail next month. He could try again in the Gotham Stakes (gr. III) and should he complete any turns he encounters, race again in the Wood Memorial. He is still one to watch.
Now we move on to the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) and the Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I). Unfortunately, it was pouring rain in California and the entire card was canceled. The two races mentioned have been postponed to the 13th. This will affect the runners’ schedules to some extent, but it shouldn't matter too much. My selections for those races will remain the same unless I should post otherwise.
Now that brings us to the Hallandale Beach Stakes, where my selection was Interactif. I also respected Asphalt, Bim Bam, Dean's Kitten, and Cat Park, giving Asphalt the most respect to upset Interactif. As it turned out, Bim Bam led for most of the race, with Interactif tracking him in second. The latter moved up approaching the homestretch and took the lead, but Bim Bam fought back and reclaimed the lead inside the final sixteenth to win by a nose. Asphalt finished third.
Finally, I come to the $48,000 allowance race at Gulfstream Park where I felt that Overcommunication would win, with Wildcat Frankie second. At the wire, it was Wildcat Frankie in front by 1 1/4 lengths with Overcommunication last of eight. So Wildcat Frankie will move on to the list of horses to watch, while Overcommunication will have to show something spectacular in his next race to warrant consideration as a Triple Crown horse.
So, I'm looking forward to next Saturday, not only for the two races that were canceled, but for the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs. It looks like this mile and a sixteenth prep for the Tampa Bay Derby could draw Uptowncharlybrown, whom I greatly respect. And just two days after that, the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park will be run, and it appears that Dublin could make his three year old debut here. If it draws Dryfly as well, this could be quite the race.
And last but not least, here is a list of horses who have worked out over the past few days. . .
February 7th
Moojab breezed five furlongs in 1:01 flat at Oaklawn Park.
Dryfly breezed five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 at Oaklawn Park.
Rule worked five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 handily at Palm Meadows Training Center.
Odysseus breezed five furlongs in 1:01 1/5 at Palm Meadows Training Center.
Mission Impazible worked five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 handily at Palm Meadows Training Center.
Aikenite worked five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 handily at Palm Meadows Training Center.
Super Saver breezed four furlongs in :48 1/5 at Palm Meadows Training Center.
Eskendereya breezed five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 at Palm Meadows Training Center.
Discreetly Mine worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 handily at Palm Meadows Training Center.
Buddy's Saint worked six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 handily at Gulfstream Park.
Cool Bullet breezed five furlongs in 1:02 1/5 at Fair Grounds.
Pleasant Storm breezed six furlongs in 1:13 1/5 at Louisiana Downs.
February 8th
Connemara worked five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 handily at Santa Anita Park.
Concord Point worked four furlongs in :47 3/5 handily at Santa Anita Park.
Caracortado worked five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 handily at Santa Anita Park.
Summer Games worked four furlongs in 51: 1/5 handily at Santa Anita Park.
Macias worked six furlongs in 1:13 flat handily at Santa Anita Park.
Switch worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 handily at Santa Anita Park.
Evening Jewel worked four furlongs in :48 1/5 handily at Santa Anita Park.
La Nez worked five furlongs in 1:00 flat handily at Santa Anita Park.
American Lion worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 handily at Santa Anita Park.
Tiz Chrome worked five furlongs in :59 3/5 handily at Santa Anita Park.
Domonation worked six furlongs in 1:13 4/5 handily at Santa Anita Park.
Letsgetitonmon breezed five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 at Fair Grounds.
Speedy Mon breezed five furlongs in 1:03 1/5 at Fair Grounds.
Crisp worked five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 handily at Hollywood Park.
Dave in Dixie worked six furlongs in 1:14 1/5 handily at Hollywood Park.
Make Music for Me worked six furlongs in 1:14 4/5 handily at Hollywood Park.
Sidney's Candy worked six furlongs in 1:12 1/5 handily at Hollywood Park.
Nordic Truce breezed five furlongs in 1:03 flat at Payson Park Training Center.
Colizeo breezed four furlongs in :51 4/5 at Palm Meadows Training Center.
February 9th
Lookin at Lucky worked three furlongs in :36 3/5 handily at Santa Anita Park.
Blind Luck worked five furlongs in :59 1/5 handily at Santa Anita Park.
Conveyance worked six furlongs in 1:13 3/5 handily at Santa Anita Park.
Tango Tango worked six furlongs in 1:13 1/5 handily at Santa Anita Park.
Uh Oh Bango worked six furlongs in 1:13 3/5 handily at Turf Paradise
Pulsion worked six furlongs in 1:11 flat handily at Gulfstream Park.
Best Actor breezed four furlongs in :49 3/5 at Gulfstream Park.
Windy City Cat breezed five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 at Gulfstream Park.
Thank U Philippe breezed four furlongs in :49 2/5 at Calder Race Course.
February 10th
D'Funnybone breezed six furlongs in 1:12 1/5 at Gulfstream Park.
Gothics Peak worked five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 handily at Gulfstream Park.
First Dude breezed four furlongs in :49 3/5 at Gulfstream Park.
Tempted to Tapit worked five furlongs in :59 4/5 handily at Gulfstream Park.
Ron the Greek breezed six furlongs in 1:13 4/4 at Fair Grounds.
-Keelerman
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