Gotham Stakes Entries and Post Positions

Here are the entries for the $400,000 Gotham Stakes (gr. III), to be held on Saturday at Aqueduct. The race is 1 1/16th miles in distance and has drawn a large field full of promising -- but lightly-raced -- runners.

1 My Adonis
2 Stealcase
3 Finnegans Wake

UNION RAGS WINS THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH STAKES!

Union Rags made his three-year-old debut a winning one, blowing past Discreet Dancer and News Pending at the top of the stretch before coasting home to an easy victory in the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II).

Unraced since finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) last November, Union Rags was sent off as the 6-5 second choice in the Fountain of Youth, behind only the undefeated Todd Pletcher-trainee Discreet Dancer. Under a perfect ride from new rider Julien Leparoux, Union Rags broke quickest of all, but soon settled back into the fourth position as Discreet Dancer set the early pace. News Pending, who broke just a step slowly, was rushed into contention by jockey Kent Desormeaux, rallying past horses on the far outside before settling into the second position. Casual Trick was racing in third toward the rail, with Union Rags right on his outside. Fort Loudon was sitting in fifth, followed by Neck 'n Neck, who had attempted to secure racing room along the rail before being forced to steady off heels. Csaba was content to trail early on.

A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Arm Force

Arm Force stamped himself as a three-year-old to watch with a convincing victory in a seven-furlong maiden special weight this afternoon at Gulfstream Park.

Owned by Casner Racing and trained by Eoin Hart, Arm Force got off to a quick start and settled into second place early on, just behind pace-setting Spin Out. Unbridled Fire was right behind them in third, followed by Doyouseemecoming, Frankie and Joe, Bulldog Legend, Dramatist, Jack B Nimble, Prince of Spain, Elusive Success, and Night Site.

A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Politicallycorrect

Politicallycorrect, a three-year-old son of Kitten's Joy, rebounded from a poor effort in the Gulfstream Park Derby last month to win a seven-furlong allowance race this afternoon at Gulfstream Park by four lengths.

Ridden to victory by Elvis Trujillo, Politicallycorrect settled into the fourth position early on as heavily favored Liberty Bound set a good pace of :22.14 and :44.63. Dreaming of Neno and Forward March were also close to the pace, while The Prize Fighter, Jordan's Image, and Seve were the early trailers.

Fountain of Youth Update: Algorithms has Scratched

Algorithms, winner of the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) and the morning line favorite for the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) later this afternoon, has been scratched from the race after popping a splint in his right front leg.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, the son of Bernardini is among the favorites for the $2,000,000 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), to be held on the first Saturday in May. How this injury affects his status for making the Derby itself remains in question.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- February 26th, 2012

During the course of this year's Triple Crown trail, we have seen a number of promising horses stamp themselves as serious contenders for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), including Alpha, I'll Have Another, Out of Bounds, El Padrino, and Castaway. But those prep races, as exciting and interesting as they were, won't hold a candle to the excitement that will be generated when Derby favorite Union Rags takes on Algorithms and Discreet Dancer and the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) in what should prove to be the biggest and most influential prep race so far.

THE FACTOR WINS THE SAN CARLOS STAKES!

In a race amazingly similar to the 2011 San Vicente Stakes, The Factor held off old rival Sway Away to win the $200,000 San Carlos Stakes (gr. II) this afternoon at Santa Anita Park.

Ridden to victory by Martin Garcia, The Factor got off to a quick start in the six-furlong race and went straight to the lead, running the opening quarter mile in a moderate :22.55 while being mildly pressed by Rothko. Amazombie, the Eclipse champion male sprinter of 2011 and winner of the 2011 Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), was racing on the outside in third, followed on the fence by Canonize. It was a long way back then to Sway Away, who trailed the field.

EL PADRINO WINS THE RISEN STAR STAKES!

Heavily favored El Padrino wore down Mark Valeski deep in the Fair Grounds homestretch to win the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes by a desperate head.

Ridden to victory by Javier Castellano, the son of Pulpit broke cleanly and settled into the third position early on as longshot Hero of Order set the pace. Mark Valeski was racing in second, while Z Dager was content to sit fourth early on. Mr. Bowling, Shared Property, Afford, and Tizanexpense were all racing in mid-pack, while Adena's Chance, Optimizer, and Ted's Folly were the early trailers.

YARA WINS THE DAVONA DALE STAKES!

Yara pulled off a stunning 60-1 upset this afternoon in the $250,000 Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II), wearing down heavily favored Grace Hall in the stretch to win by a half-length.

Ridden to victory by Jesus Castanon, Yara got off to a good start and went straight to the lead. Grace Hall was settling into the second position along the rail, followed by Disposablepleasure, The Cat's All That, and Captivating Lass.

Following an opening quarter in :23.79, Grace Hall moved through along the fence to take the lead from Yara, and those two continued to show the way down the backstretch and around the far turn while running fractions of :47.71 and 1:12.38. Approaching the homestretch, the two fillies began to draw clear of the remainder of the field, which was led by Captivating Lass. Disposablepleasure was still in contention on the outside, but was under pressure to keep up and was not responding.

SUMMER APPLAUSE WINS THE RACHEL ALEXANDRA STAKES!

Summer Applause couldn't quite catch Believe You Can in last month's Silverbulletday Stakes, but proved much better than her rival in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (gr. III) this afternoon at Fair Grounds, leaving Believe You Can far behind in the stretch to win the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) prep race by a length.

Ridden to victory by Robby Albarado, Summer Applause settled into the fourth position early on as Avie's Sense set a moderate pace of :24.16 and :47.54 while leading by three lengths. Inny Minnie was racing on the outside in second, followed on the rail by Believe You Can. Table Three Ten and Annaclone were the early trailers.

A THREE-YEAR-OLD TO WATCH: OUR ENTOURAGE

Add one more name to your list of promising Todd Pletcher-trained three-year-olds: Out Entourage. The son of Street Cry stamped himself as a young runner of high caliber with an impressive victory in a 1 1/16th miles allowance optional claiming race on the turf this afternoon at Gulfstream Park.

Ridden to victory by John Velazquez, the colt got off to a good start and settled into second place early on as Film Shot set a good pace of :23.88 and :47.60. Throughout the race, Our Entourage gave the impression that he was just sitting and waiting to pounce; that his stretch bid would be one of impressive strength and dominance. That turned out to be exactly the case.

NEHRO WINS A FAIR GROUNDS ALLOWANCE RACE!

Nehro, runner-up in the 2011 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) but unraced since finishing fourth in that year's Belmont Stakes (gr. I), made a successful return to the races this afternoon at Fair Grounds when he dominated a one-mile and seventy yards allowance optional claiming race to win by six lengths.

Sent off as the heavy favorite at 2-5 under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, Nehro got off to a clean start and settled off the pace in fourth early on as Majestic Harbor and Stinking Creek set the good pace while while clear of the field. Adirondack King was sitting in third, while Big Town and Only Boy trailed.

A THREE-YEAR-OLD TO WATCH: BUCKTOWN

Bucktown looked like a star in the making this afternoon in the opening race at Fair Grounds, drawing away powerfully in the stretch of a six-furlong maiden special weight to win by six lengths.

Ridden to victory by Ramsey Zimmerman, Bucktown got off to a quick start from gate one and raced away to set the pace while being pressed by Lighter Fluid and Crimson Count. Surley was also racing close to the pace.

KEELERMAN'S KENTUCKY DERBY TOP TWENTY - February 25th, 2012

1. Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway - Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer) Trained by Mike Harrington
I thought that his third-place finish in the San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) was actually a very good effort, and exactly what it needed to be. In a race really too short for him, Creative Cause settled off the pace, put in a good stretch run to be beaten just a length, and closed his final eighth of a mile in about :11 4/5. This should sharpen him up considerably for his next race, which could come in either the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) or the Rebel Stakes (gr. II).

2. Union Rags (Dixie Union - Tempo, by Gone West) Trained by Michael Matz
He's drawn gate seven in the Fountain of Youth (gr. II), where we should get an excellent idea of just how good he is. To be perfectly honest, as good a colt as I think Union Rags is, I expect him to lose the Fountain of Youth. He's not going to be fully cranked for the race, and he's facing a pair of promising runners from the barn of Todd Pletcher. So if he does overcome these obstacles and wins anyway, I'll be moving him to the top of my list and declaring him one of the most promising Kentucky Derby contenders in recent years.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- February 25th, 2012

A pair of major graded prep races for the Kentucky Derby are scheduled to be run over the course of this weekend, and when the racing is over we should have a clear-cut Derby favorite heading to Louisville. At Gulfstream Park on Sunday, Derby favorite Union Rags takes on Algorithms and Discreet Dancer in what should prove to be the most exciting prep race so far. And at Fair Grounds on Saturday, the highly-regarded El Padrino is set to take on ten others in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II), where he should -- barring an unexpected change in the weather -- get a chance to prove himself over a fast track.

Today's post shall cover Saturday's major racing action, including the Risen Star and the Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II). Tomorrow's post will include my analysis of the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) and the Baffle Stakes at Santa Anita. Enjoy!

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- February 23rd, 2012

Here are my recaps of last week's major races for three-year-olds, including the El Camino Real Derby (gr. III), the San Vicente Stakes (gr. II), and both divisions of the Southwest Stakes (gr. III). Enjoy!

Stakes Recaps

El Camino Real Derby (gr. III)
Thoughts: Very little separated Daddy Nose Best and Lucky Chappy at the finish of this race, with the former coming out on top by the narrowest of margins. Clearly, Lucky Chappy didn't get the best of trips, being forced to circle the field very wide on the far turn, but had every chance to win and simply couldn't quite hold off Daddy Nose Best. No plans have been made concerning where the winner will run next, but Lucky Chappy is being pointed toward the $2,000,000 UAE Derby (UAE-II) in late March. Handsome Mike, who finished third, had his chances compromised when he engaged a 90-1 shot in a speed duel. I thought he ran well to defeat the rest of the field in good fashion, and feel he could find himself in the winner's circle next time out, so long as he gets a better trip.

Fountain of Youth Stakes Entries and Post Positions

Here are the entries and post positions for the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), to be run on Sunday at Gulfstream Park. The 1 1/16th miles event is a major prep race for the $2,000,000 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and has drawn a highly promising field of eight, led by the early Derby favorite Union Rags.

1. Neck 'n Neck
2. Algorithms
3. Fort Loudon
4. Casual Trick
5. Discreet Dancer
6. News Pending
7. Union Rags
8. Csaba

SECRET CIRCLE WINS THE SECOND DIVISION OF THE SOUTHWEST STAKES!

Secret Circle gave trainer Bob Baffert a sweep of the two divisions of the $250,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) this afternoon when he wore down a stubborn Scatman to win the one-mile race by a half-length.

Ridden to victory by Rafael Bejarano -- who won the first division of the race aboard Baffert's Castaway -- Secret Circle got off to a very quick beginning and settled into second place early on as Scatman set the pace. Apprehender was on the outside in third, followed on the inside by Z Rockstar. Cyber Secret, who stumbled at the start before being rushed into contention, was caught four-wide around the first turn but was only two lengths from the front. Adirondack King was back toward the rear of the pack while racing toward the rail.

CASTAWAY WINS THE FIRST DIVISION OF THE SOUTHWEST STAKES!

Castaway overcame breaking from the far outside post position to score a convincing win in the first division of the $250,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) this afternoon at Oaklawn Park, coasting away in the stretch to win by four or five lengths at the finish.

Ridden to victory by Rafael Bejarano, the Bob Baffert-trainee got off to an excellent start from gate eleven and raced away to contend for the early lead with longshot Majestic Stride. Reckless Jerry, Ring It Up, Jake Mo, and Red Jack were all up close as well, while Junebugred and Unbridled's Note raced toward the rear of the pack. Longview Drive, the race favorite, was expected to be close to the lead, but instead found himself trapped in a pocket in mid-pack with nowhere to run.

YAWANNA TWIST WINS THE GENERAL GEORGE!

Yawanna Twist turned a ground-saving trip into a sharp victory in the $200,000 General George Handicap (gr. III) this afternoon at Laurel Park, squeezing through along the inside to defeat stablemate This One's for Phil by three-quarters of a length.

Ridden to victory by Michael Luzzi, the Rick Dutrow-trainee got off to a good start and settled into fourth early on, no more than two lengths off of the early pace being set by This One's for Phil. Fordangsure and Caixa Eletronica were racing in second in third, while Toby's Corner -- making his first start since winning the Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) last April -- was rating in fifth. My Cuz C J and Eighttofasttocatch trailed the field.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- February 20th, 2012

Originally, there was just one Triple Crown prep race scheduled to be run on President's Day, that being the $250,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park. However, due to the amazing total of twenty-one horses being entered, Oaklawn officials decided to run the race in two divisions, the first race containing a field of eleven and the second with a field of ten. So instead of just one great Triple Crown prep race to enjoy, we get to watch two identical races, each carrying the standard purse of $250,000. This is good news for horses that still need to secure the graded earnings necessary to start in the Kentucky Derby!

As there are so many horses entered between the two divisions, I won't go into my usual detailed analysis of each runner. Rather, I shall instead focus on some of the major contenders and what this race means to them if they should win, in addition to briefly mentioning some longshots that I think could be major players today and down the road. Let's start handicapping!

DRILL WINS THE SAN VICENTE STAKES!

Drill pulled off a mild upset this afternoon in the $150,000 San Vicente Stakes (gr. II), gamely defeating American Act by a nose to win the seven-furlong sprint in 1:21.28.

Ridden to victory by Martin Garcia, the colt was sent off as the 7-2 third choice behind heavily favored Creative Cause in the field of four. At the start, he broke just a step slowly before recovering to race second early on as American Act set a moderate pace of :22.78 and :45.83. Let's Get Crackin was racing in third toward the rail, followed by Creative Cause. Only three lengths separated first from last.

Risen Star Stakes Entries and Post Positions

Here are the entries and post positions for the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II), to be run on February 25th at Fair Grounds. The second of three prep races held at Fair Grounds leading up to the Kentucky Derby, the Risen Star Stakes carries a purse of $300,000 and will be run at the distance of 1 1/16th miles.

1. Afford
2. Optimizer
3. Mr. Bowling

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- February 19th, 2012

This day of racing is one that I have been anticipating for weeks. While there certainly isn't much scheduled in the way of major races, there is, however, one stakes event that every horse racing fan will have their eyes on. That race is the $150,000 San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park, and while it may have drawn a small field, it is certainly not low on talent. It is in this race that my current pick to win the Kentucky Derby -- Creative Cause -- shall make his much-anticipated and long awaited 2012 debut.

KEELERMAN'S KENTUCKY DERBY TOP TWENTY - February 18th, 2012

1. Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway - Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer) Trained by Mike Harrington
He drew post position two in tomorrow's Sam Vicente Stakes (gr. II), and is the 3-5 morning line favorite. I don't care if he wins or loses, as long as he's staying on strongly in the homestretch. I just want to see him get something out of this race.

2. Union Rags (Dixie Union - Tempo, by Gone West) Trained by Michael Matz
His training has picked up and he's really starting to get ready for the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II). At least he won't have to take on Hansen, who beat him in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I); Hansen is instead pointing toward the Gotham Stakes (gr. III).

DADDY NOSE BEST WINS THE EL CAMINO REAL DERBY!

In a desperate photo finish, Daddy Nose Best got his nose home first in the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) in the gamest of performances.

Under a brilliant ride from Julien Leparoux, Daddy Nose Best settled into the fourth position along the rail early on as Handsome Mike and All Squared Away set a good pace of :23.31 and :47.57. Lady of Fifty was racing on the outside in third, while Senor Rain was back in fifth. Lucky Chappy and Russian Greek, two of the favorites, were racing toward the rear of the field.

A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Midnight Crooner

Trainer Bob Baffert is having a very, very big day today.

Following highly impressive victories by Paynter and Mamma Kimbo at Santa Anita Park, another Baffert-trainee found the winners circle, this time in a one-mile maiden special weight for three-year-olds at Golden Gate Fields. The winner -- whose name should be remembered carefully -- is Midnight Crooner. This colt looks like a serious runner to me.

A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Mamma Kimbo

Following disappointing efforts by Liaison and Sky Kingdom in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) earlier this month, it appeared as though trainer Bob Baffert might be running low on quality three-year-olds pointing toward the Triple Crown. This has since been proven to be very wrong, as Fed Biz, Bodemeister, and Paynter have all stamped themselves as promising young runners to watch from the Baffert's barn.

One more name to add to that list is Mamma Kimbo, and while it is highly unlikely that this lightly-raced filly will point toward the Triple Crown, it is very possible that the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) is in her future, following an amazing victory in a six-furlong maiden special weight this afternoon at Santa Anita Park.

A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Paynter

Paynter established himself as a highly promising three-year-old with a big future this afternoon at Santa Anita Park, coasting to a 4 1/4 length victory in a 5-1/2 furlong maiden special weight.

Ridden by Martin Garcia, the Bob Baffert-trainee settled into last place early on in the field of four horses, about three lengths off of the lead. Spring Warrior, also trained by Baffert, was setting in front early while setting blazing fractions of :21.52 and :44.50. Gophari was racing in second, followed by El Bronco.

A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Windsurfer

Add one more name to the last of promising three-year-olds trained by Todd Pletcher. Windsurfer, owned by WinStar Farm and trained by Pletcher, broke his maiden with authority this afternoon at Gulfstream Park, drawing off to win a 1 1/16th miles maiden special weight on the dirt by a couple of lengths.

Ridden by John Velazquez -- who was winning his fourth race on the card -- Windsurfer broke well from gate nine, but was hung four-wide around the first turn. He soon settled into the fourth position, a length or two off of a moderate pace set by Pushingonastring, who recorded opening fractions of :23.86 and :48.20.

ANIMAL KINGDOM WIN A GULFSTREAM PARK ALLOWANCE RACE!

The 2011 Eclipse champion three-year-old male and Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Animal Kingdom made a successful return to the races this afternoon at Gulfstream Park, bursting clear in the stretch to win a 1 1/16th miles allowance race on the turf in impressive fashion.

Ridden to victory by regular rider John Velazquez, Animal Kingdom broke just a step slowly and dropped back to last in the field of six as Royal Hill and Bell by the Ridge set a moderate pace of :23.17. and :49.44. They were being tracked along the rail by Tannersville and on the outside by Midnight Michief, while Monument Hill raced in fifth.

Southwest Stakes Entries and Post Positions

Here are the entries and post positions for Monday's Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park. Due to the extraordinary number of entries (21 horses have been entered), the race will be run in two divisions, each race carrying a purse of $250,000.

The first of the two races is scheduled as the eighth race of the card, followed immediately afterward by the second event. Both races are one mile in distance.

Southwest Stakes #1

1. Red Jack
2. Unbridled's Note
3. Jake Mo

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- February 18th, 2012

At least three -- and possibly four -- major prep races for the Kentucky Derby are scheduled to be run over the next three days, beginning with the El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) later this afternoon, continuing with the San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) on Sunday, and finishing up with the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) on Monday. That's three races. But it's possible that the Southwest Stakes, in which at least twenty horses are scheduled to enter, will split and be run in two divisions -- two identical, one-mile, $250,000 prep races for the Derby. But at the time I am writing this, the entries have not yet been taken.

This week's Triple Crown Countdown post shall actually be split into three parts. The first part, which you are reading, shall cover Saturday's racing action, including the El Camino Real Derby. In part II we shall take a look at Sunday's major races, and the final part shall cover the Southwest(s). Enjoy!

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- February 17th, 2012

Here are my recaps of last week's major racing action along the Triple Crown trail, including my thoughts on the impressive victories turned in by Thunder Moccasin, Bodemeister, and Fed Biz. Enjoy!

Stakes Recaps

Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II)
Thoughts: The scratch of Ever So Lucky caused this race to lose much of it's luster, but that shouldn't detract from the dominating victory turned in by Thunder Moccasin.

San Vicente Stakes Entries and Post Positions

Here are the entries and post positions for the $150,000 San Vicente Stakes (gr. II), to be run on Sunday at Santa Anita Park. A major prep race for the $2,000,000 Kentucky Derby (gr. I), the event has drawn a very promising runner in Creative Cause, winner of the Norfolk Stakes (gr. I) as a juvenile and one of the early favorites for the Derby.

1. Let's Get Crackin
2. Creative Cause
3. Drill
4. Smoking G
5. American Act
6. Captain Obvious

-Keelerman

El Camino Real Derby Entries & Post Positions

Here are the entries and post positions for the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. III), to be held on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields. The nine-furlong event is a prep race for the $2,000,000 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), and has thus drawn a very promising field of young runners, including California Derby winner Russian Greek and the well-regarded Lucky Chappy.

1. Daddy Nose Best
2. Senor Rain
3. Cahill Chrome
4. Russian Greek
5. Unveiled Heat
6. Lucky Chappy
7. Handsome Mike
8. Rockinarz Recruit
9. All Squared Away
10. Lady of Fifty

-Keelerman

AMIE'S DINI WINS THE MARTHA WASHINGTON STAKES!

Amie's Dini pulled off an upset in Oaklawn's $75,000 Martha Washington Stakes for three-year-old fillies, rallying past 1-2 favorite Now I Know turning for home to win by two lengths.

Under jockey Jon Court, Amie's Dini broke quickly from gate six and grabbed the early lead. Now I Know, who was previously undefeated in six starts, got off to a poor beginning but quickly recovered to take the lead from Amie's Dini moving into the first turn. Devious Intent was back in third toward the rail, followed by Soonerette, first-time starter Colonial Empress, and Lulu Wong.

HYMN BOOK WINS THE DONN HANDICAP!

Six-year-old Hymn Book secured the first grade I victory of his career when he caught Mission Impazible deep in the Gulfstream Park homestretch to win the $500,000 Donn Handicap by a nose.

Ridden by John Velazquez and trained by Shug McGaughey, Hymn Book broke well before settling off of the early pace set by Trickmeister and Shackleford, the two favorites who dueled through an opening quarter mile in :23.46 and a half-mile in :47.05. Redeemed was right behind them in third, followed by Mission Impazible on the rail in fourth. Ruler On Ice, Al Khali, Flat Out, and Sangaree were the early trailers.

A THREE-YEAR-OLD TO WATCH: BODEMEISTER

Today's third race at Santa Anita Park, a one-mile maiden special weight, yielded intriguing results. Three horses were sent off at 2-1, with Stirred Up the narrow favorite over Welter Weight and Bodemeister. The first- and last-mentioned colts are both trained by Bob Baffert, and general opinion leading up to the race seemed to indicate that Stirred Up was the better of the pair.

That was not the case.

PRETENSION WINS THE SWEET ENVOY STAKES!

Pretension took over the lead in early stretch and held off a late charge from Swag Daddy to win Aqueduct's $75,000 Sweet Envoy Stakes in sharp fashion.

Sent off as the 7-2 second choice in the one-mile and seventy-yard event, Pretension settled into the third position on the outside as Summer Breezing and Sportswriter set a moderate pace of :23.84 and :48.67. Coalition was tucked in along the rail in fourth, followed by the 3-4 favorite Swag Daddy in fifth. Melvindale, Brass Note, and Thor's Mjolnor trailed early.

THUNDER MOCCASIN WINS THE HUTCHESON STAKES!

Thunder Moccasin rewarded those that bet him down to the 1-5 favorite when he coasted to a convincing victory in the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II) this afternoon at Gulfstream Park.

Under jockey John Velazquez, the Todd Pletcher-trainee broke cleanly and was sent away to race second early on as Il Villano set an early pace of :23.34. Wildcat Creek was back in third, followed on the fence by Tarpy's Goal and Quick Wit, who broke a step slowly and found himself in last place early on.

A THREE-YEAR-OLD TO WATCH: MAJESTIC NUMBER

Todd Pletcher showed off yet another promising young horse this afternoon at Gulfstream Park, sending out Majestic Number to break his maiden going seven furlongs one race after Pletcher won an allowance race with the highly-regarded Spring Hill Farm.

Under John Velazquez, Majestic Number broke beautifully from gate nine and raced away to contend for the early lead with favored Rise Against. The pair ran the opening quarter mile of the $51,500 maiden special weight in :22.99 while leading by two lengths over Arkansas Joe. Saturnus was along the rail racing jointly in fourth with Fort Boonesborough, while Excess Liquidity, Port Conway, and Umstead trailed the field.

SINGLET WINS THE DEARLY PRECIOUS STAKES!

Narrowly favored Singlet scored a narrow victory in the Dearly Precious Stakes this afternoon at Aqueduct, defeating Corderosa by a neck after a thrilling stretch duel.

Ridden by Cornelio Velaszquez, Singlet settled on to the outside in third early on, but no more than a length off of the early pace set by Corderosa and Well Kept, who ran the opening quarter mile of the six-furlong race in :23.47. Lisa T., the longshot at 8-1 in the four-horse field, trailed the leaders by five lengths down the backstretch.

SPRING HILL FARM WINS A GULFSTREAM ALLOWANCE RACE!

Spring Hill Farm stamped himself as a promising, stakes-bound three-year-old when he won a one-mile, $53,500 allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park this afternoon by 1 1/2 lengths.

Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden to victory by John Velazquez, Spring Hill Farm broke quickly from gate four and raced away to set a good pace of :24.26 and :47.37 over a main track labeled sloppy. Two Is To Many was on his outside in second, followed by Big Blue Nation along the rail in third while Space Race sat in fourth. Unbridled Minister, Window Boy, and Vee On Rotate trailed the field.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- February 10th, 2012

While the following two days may be somewhat weak in the graded stakes for three-year-olds department, it is nevertheless going to be a fascinating weekend. To be perfectly honest, I think there are more promising maiden and allowance races carded for the coming days than on any other weekend in recent memory. Across the country, we have horses like Spring Hill Farm, Welter Weight, Stirred Up, Bodemeister, Big Blue Nation, and other up-and-coming three-year-olds looking to take the next step toward a potential start in a major Kentucky Derby prep race, and then -- if successful -- a start in the Kentucky Derby itself.
Nevertheless, this week's feature race shall be the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park, the lone graded stakes event for three-year-olds carded for the next two days.

KEELERMAN'S KENTUCKY DERBY TOP TWENTY - February 10th, 2012

1. Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway - Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer) Trained by Mike Harrington He's right on schedule to make his 2012 debut in the seven-furlong San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) on February 19th, which should tell us a lot about him. With his pedigree, I don't expect him to run his rivals off their feet, but we must remember that he did finish a very close third (placed second via disqualification) in the Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) as a juvenile.

FED BIZ WINS A SANTA ANITA ALLOWANCE RACE!

Fed Biz may have earned himself a start in a graded stakes race next time out when he blew away a talented field in a one-mile, $58,000 allowance optional claiming race this afternoon at Santa Anita Park.

Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Rafael Bejarano, the three-year-old son of Giant's Causeway got off to a good start from the far outside post position in a field of five and raced away to track the early pace set by Consulado. Blueskiesnrainbows was back behind them in third, followed by Tones and Super Candy.

A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Maan

Maan, sent off at 5-1, rallied along the rail to score a mild upset in the seventh race of the Gulfstream Park Thursday card, scoring by a neck in the 6-1/2 furlong allowance optional claiming event.

Ridden to victory by Julien Leparoux, Maan settled into the fifth position early on, about three lengths off of a quick early pace set by Seven Kind and Prayer Meeting. The duo ran the opening quarter mile in :22.39 over a sloppy track, with Dangerous Trick tracking them in third and Blings Express down in between horses fourth. Stat, the heavy favorite at 1-5, was back in sixth after breaking in the air, leading only Isutalkintome and Angelofdistinction.

TRIPLE CROWN UPDATE -- February 9th, 2012

I don't usually dedicate an entire blog post to ordinary Thursday allowances races, but today there are a pair of such races that warrant a write-up, as each one contains a quality field of highly regarded young horses trying to take the next step toward a potential start in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) on the first Saturday in May.

The first race I shall mention is the second race on the Santa Anita card. A one-mile, main track allowance race, the event has drawn only five runners, but the field includes a pair of potential stars in Fed Biz and Consulado.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- February 8th, 2012

Three major Kentucky Derby prep races entered the history books last week, as the highly-regarded Alpha re-affirmed his quality with a fine victory in the Withers Stakes (gr. III) while I'll Have Another and Battle Hardened were busy pulling upsets in California and Florida. Here are my thoughts on each of these races, as well as the numerous other intriguing lesser races that could very turn out a Triple Crown contender or two. Remember, you can click on the names of some of the stakes races to read a more detailed recap of how the race was run. Enjoy!

Hutcheson Stakes Entries and Post Positions

Here are the entries and post positions for the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II), to be run on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II)
Seven Furlongs on the Gulfstream Dirt Track

1. Tarpy's Goal
2. Wildcat Creek

SABERCAT RETURNS TO THE WORK TAB

Sabercat, winner of the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (gr. III) last November, returned to the work tab for the first time since then on February 6th when he breezed a half-mile in :48 3/5 at Santa Anita Park.

Gemologist Returns to the Work Tab

Gemologist, the highly-regarded winner of the $150,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) last winter, returned to the work tab for the first time since then on February 5th, breezing three-eighths of a mile in :39.88.

I'LL HAVE ANOTHER WINS THE ROBERT B. LEWIS STAKES!

43-1 shot I'll Have Another took over the lead turning for home and never looked back en route to a decisive victory in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park this afternoon.

Ridden to victory by Mario Gutierrez, I'll Have Another broke well and settled into the second position early on as Isn't He Clever set a good pace of :23.03 and :46.77. Liaison was on the inside of I'll Have Another in third, followed by Groovin' Solo, Sky Kingdom, Rousing Sermon, Empire Way, and Chips All In.

BATTLE HARDENED WINS THE SAM F. DAVIS STAKES!

Battle Hardened took over the lead in deep stretch and held off a number of late challenges to win the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) this afternoon at Tampa Bay Downs.

Ridden to victory by Julien Leparoux, the Eddie Kenneally-trained colt settled into fourth along the fence early on as State of Play set the pace. He was being tracked by 99-1 shot Fox Rules, with Reveron on the outside in third. Moraccan Brew was back in fifth, followed by Holy Highway, Ravelo's Boy, Prospective, Ecabroni, Neck 'n Neck, and Burning Time.

MR. COMMONS WINS THE ARCADIA STAKES!

The 2012 Breeders' Cup Mile is still a long ways off, but you can't blame the connections of Mr. Commons if they are already thinking about it. The four-year-old son of Artie Schiller stamped himself as the early favorite for the race this afternoon at Santa Anita with a breathtaking victory in the $150,000 Arcadia Stakes (gr. II).

Sent off as the 2-5 favorite under Mike Smith, Mr. Commons settled into the fifth postion early on along the fence as Dewey's Special, Calimonco, and Pathfork set a strong pace of :22.98 and :46.26.

ALPHA WINS THE WITHERS STAKES!

Heavily favored Alpha, sent off at odds of 1-4, took the Withers Stakes (gr. III) this afternoon at Aqueduct in dominating fashion.

Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and racing in the blue silks of Godolphin Racing, Alpha got off to a good beginning from the outside post position under jockey Ramon Dominguez and settled into the fourth position early on as How Do I Win set a moderate pace of :23.71 and :48.04. Hakama was racing on the outside in second, followed by 44-1 shot Speightscity in third toward the rail. Tiger Walk was back in fifth, with King Kid trailing the field.

A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Immaculate

Immaculate stamped himself as a high-quality young runner this afternoon at Santa Anita Park, defeating a pair of well-regarded Bob Baffert-trained colts to win a six-furlong maiden special weight event by a half-length.

Ridden to victory by Corey Nakatani, the colt settled just off of the early pace set by Eaton Hall, one of the Bob Baffert runners. Mile High Magic, the other Baffert colt and the favorite at 4-5, was also not far off of the pace.

A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Burn the Mortgage

Burn the Mortgage stamped himself as a three-year-old to watch along the Triple Crown trail with a narrow victory in a strong one-mile turf allowance race at Tampa Bay Downs this afternoon.

Ridden to victory by Leandro Goncalves, Burn the Mortgage settled off the pace in fifth as longshot Rojo Verde raced away to lead by over three lengths early on while running fractions of :23.99 and :48.92. Talented Whiz was racing in second, followed by favored Captain Webb and Game Drive.

DIXIE STRIKE WINS THE FLORIDA OAKS!

Dixie Strike rallied furiously on the far outside to win the $150,000 Florida Oaks by a head this afternoon at Tampa Bay Downs.

Trained Mark Casse and ridden by Jose Lezcano, Dixie Strike settled off of the early pace in sixth while More Than Love set slow fractions of :25.66 and :50.79 while. In second was Customer Base, followed on the inside by Spielzeit and on the outside by Regalo Mia. Sisterhood, who stumbled badly at the break, was racing in fifth, followed by Dixie Strike, Northern Passion, and Shezmyten.

MUSICAL FLAIR WINS THE NEEDLES STAKES!

Even-money favorite Musical Flair rallied fast in the Gulfstream Park homestretch to win the $60,000 Needles Stakes by three-quarters of a length.

Ridden to victory by John Velazquez, the colt settled off of a moderate early pace set by Hello Prince, Indirectly A.P., and Martini Madness, who ran an opening quarter mile in :22.67 while racing three across the track. Diez, Silver Menace, and Musical Flair trailed the field.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- February 3rd, 2012

Three major Kentucky Derby prep races are scheduled to be run this afternoon across the nation. Out in California, a promising field of eight sophomores will head to post in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II), the second major Derby prep of the California season. At Aqueduct in New York, Alpha heads a solid field scheduled to run in the Withers Stakes (gr. III). Finally, at Tampa Bay Downs, a large field of eleven will try to join the Derby trail with a victory in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III). Let's start handicapping!

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- February 1st, 2012

Here are my recaps of last week's major three-year-old racing action, including the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) where Algorithms and Hansen thrilled horse racing fans across the country. Remember, you can click the names of the stakes races to read a more detailed recap of the running. Enjoy!