The $200,000 Jerome Stakes (gr. II), the first of Aqueduct's major prep races for the 2013 Kentucky Derby, has drawn a wide-open field of eight three-year-old colts and geldings looking to begin the year with a graded stakes victory.
The one-mile, seventy-yard race -- which has been held at one mile and in April during recent years -- lacks an obvious favorite. Notable entrants include Vegas No Show, winner of the Dover Stakes but most recently ninth in the Remsen Stakes (gr. II); Traskwood Stakes winner Vyjack; Long River and Mudflats, a pair of promising maiden winners; and two-time minor stakes winner Notacatbutallama.
A trio of stakes-placed runners -- Siete de Oros, Amerigo Vespucci, and James Jingle -- round out the field.
Notably absent from the list of entrants is Gulfport, a well-regarded allowance winner from the barn of Dale Romans. The colt had been expected to ship from Gulfstream Park to contest the Jerome, but will instead await the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream later this month.
Post Positions:
1 Siete de Oros
2 Vyjack
3 Long River
4 Amerigo Vespucci
5 Notacatbutallama
6 Mudflats
7 Vegas No Show
8 James Jingle
-Keelerman
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Gulfport to contest Jerome Stakes
According to DRF.com, Gulfport -- a highly-regarded allowance winner trained by Dale Romans -- will contest the $200,000 Jerome Stakes (gr. II) on January 5th at Aqueduct.
The colt has been training at Gulfstream Park in Florida for the last month, most recently breezing six furlongs in 1:12.40 on the morning of December 29th. A son of Unbridled's Song out of the Seeking the Gold mare Dream Supreme, Gulfport is a half-brother to 2007 Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) winner Majestic Warrior.
Other colts pointing toward the Jerome include Traskwood Stakes winner Vyjack, Dover Stakes winner Vegas No Show, and the promising maiden winners Mudflats and Long River.
The colt has been training at Gulfstream Park in Florida for the last month, most recently breezing six furlongs in 1:12.40 on the morning of December 29th. A son of Unbridled's Song out of the Seeking the Gold mare Dream Supreme, Gulfport is a half-brother to 2007 Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) winner Majestic Warrior.
Other colts pointing toward the Jerome include Traskwood Stakes winner Vyjack, Dover Stakes winner Vegas No Show, and the promising maiden winners Mudflats and Long River.
Shanghai Bobby, Palace Malice breeze five furlongs
Shanghai Bobby, the unbeaten winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), breezed five furlongs at Palm Meadows Training Center this morning in preparation for a start in the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) on January 26th.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Shanghai Bobby clocked the distance in 1:01.79 seconds, the fourteenth-fastest of the twenty-two morning works at that distance. Overall, it was his third breeze since winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and certainly his sharpest.
Another notable name on the Palm Meadows work tab was Palace Malice, a highly-regarded son of Curlin that recorded the same time for five furlongs as Shanghai Bobby did. Trained by Pletcher, Palace Malice has not run since breaking his maiden in impressive fashion at Saratoga, but is expected to be back to the races before too long.
-Keelerman
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Shanghai Bobby clocked the distance in 1:01.79 seconds, the fourteenth-fastest of the twenty-two morning works at that distance. Overall, it was his third breeze since winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and certainly his sharpest.
Another notable name on the Palm Meadows work tab was Palace Malice, a highly-regarded son of Curlin that recorded the same time for five furlongs as Shanghai Bobby did. Trained by Pletcher, Palace Malice has not run since breaking his maiden in impressive fashion at Saratoga, but is expected to be back to the races before too long.
-Keelerman
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Eblouissante works easy half-mile
Eblouissante, the well-regarded half-sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, breezed an easy half-mile at Betfair Hollywood Park this morning, getting the distance in :53.40.
The work was the slowest of the morning at that distance, but with her next race still a couple of weeks away, that was expected. Trained by John Shirreffs, Eblouissante is pointing toward an undetermined race at Santa Anita in January, with an allowance race or the La Canada Stakes (gr. II) under consideration.
Eblouissante broke her maiden by 4 1/4 lengths on November 16th before being scratched from an allowance race one month later.
-Keelerman
The work was the slowest of the morning at that distance, but with her next race still a couple of weeks away, that was expected. Trained by John Shirreffs, Eblouissante is pointing toward an undetermined race at Santa Anita in January, with an allowance race or the La Canada Stakes (gr. II) under consideration.
Eblouissante broke her maiden by 4 1/4 lengths on November 16th before being scratched from an allowance race one month later.
-Keelerman
Avare much the best in Eddie Logan Stakes
It seems that trainer Doug O'Neill may have another serious Kentucky Derby contender in his barn. On Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita Park, his promising colt Avare sprinted to a flashy victory in an off-the-turf renewal of the $75,000 Eddie Logan Stakes, turning in a rather quick clocking over the wet-fast track and stamping himself a colt to watch this winter.
Ridden to victory by Rafael Bejarano, Avare got off to a quick start from post position four and quickly sprinted clear of his rivals to the inside. Will True Up and One Firm Cat also flashed a bit of early speed, but soon dropped back as heavily favored Gabriel Charles moved into contention on the far outside. Trailing the field was Under Review.
Following moderate fractions of :23.50 and :47.44, Gabriel Charles attempted to put pressure on Avare as the pair rounded the far turn, but Avare easily shook off the challenge and opened up a clear advantage at the top of the stretch. From there, the race was over, as Avare gradually extended his lead all the way to the wire, eventually winning the one-mile race by about five lengths in the good time of 1:36.39 seconds.
Gabriel Charles finished second, followed by Will True Up, Under Review, and One Firm Cat.
The winner is a son of Johannesburg out of the Robellino mare V Sign. He is owned by Majestic Racing Stable and RAP Racing.
-Keelerman
Ridden to victory by Rafael Bejarano, Avare got off to a quick start from post position four and quickly sprinted clear of his rivals to the inside. Will True Up and One Firm Cat also flashed a bit of early speed, but soon dropped back as heavily favored Gabriel Charles moved into contention on the far outside. Trailing the field was Under Review.
Following moderate fractions of :23.50 and :47.44, Gabriel Charles attempted to put pressure on Avare as the pair rounded the far turn, but Avare easily shook off the challenge and opened up a clear advantage at the top of the stretch. From there, the race was over, as Avare gradually extended his lead all the way to the wire, eventually winning the one-mile race by about five lengths in the good time of 1:36.39 seconds.
Gabriel Charles finished second, followed by Will True Up, Under Review, and One Firm Cat.
The winner is a son of Johannesburg out of the Robellino mare V Sign. He is owned by Majestic Racing Stable and RAP Racing.
-Keelerman
A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Appealing Tale
Appealing Tale stamped himself as a three-year-old to watch next year when he romped to a dominating victory in a one-mile maiden special weight Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita Park.
Patiently ridden by Edwin Maldonado, the colt got off to a good start but was beaten to the early lead by favored Mentor Cane, who absolutely rocketed out of the gate to grab the advantage moving into the second turn. As Mentor Cane shifted toward the rail, Appealing Tale was forced to steady just a bit, but quickly recovered to track in second as Mentor Cane blazed through quick fractions of :22.22, :45.22, and 1:10.27. Russdiculous and Inflamed Spirit were next in line, followed by Benedict Audrey, Democrat Duck, Coastal Breeze, and Dr. Spin in a very spread-out field.
Mentor Cane led the way around the final turn, but as the field approached the homestretch, Appealing Tale made his bid for the lead. Despite drifting outward coming off the turn, Appealing Tale drew off powerfully in the homestretch, eventually winning by 6 1/4 lengths while stopping the clock in 1:37.75.
Coastal Breeze rallied well to finish second, 6 1/2 lengths clear of Mentor Cane. Dr. Spin, Democrat Duck, Benedict Audrey, Russdiculous, and Inflamed Spirit completed the order of finish.
The winner is a son of Tale of the Cat out of Appealing Bride, by Unbridled's Song. He is trained by Peter Miller and owned by Doubledown Stables and Gary and Cecil Barber. He has now compiled a record of 1-0-1 from 3 starts, with earnings of $41,700.
-Keelerman
Spectacular Bid Stakes Entries: Merit Man and Little Distorted square off
Merit Man, runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint, and Little Distorted, impressive winner of a maiden special weight, are among the six horses entered in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes, a six-furlong race for three-year-olds that will be held at Gulfstream Park on New Year's Day.
Trained by Robert Hess Jr., Merit Man began his career with a pair of victories, including a dominating triumph in the Tim Conway Stakes. Most recently, he finished second by a nose in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint, leading from the start before being caught in the final strides.
Little Distorted has only started once, breaking his maiden by 2 1/4 lengths at going six furlongs at Belmont Park. Interestingly, the runner-up that day, Revolutionary, broke his maiden on December 28th at Aqueduct by over eight lengths, further bolstering Little Distorted's credentials heading into this race.
Another major contender is Brave Dave, winner of the Sapling Stakes (gr. III) and two other stakes. Most recently second in the Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, he has the speed to contend from the start and could be up to challenging the two favorites.
Rockyshomerun, winner of an allowance optional claiming race; Catfivehurricane, sixth in a one-mile allowance optional claiming race here at Gulfstream on December 8th; and City of Weston, who has one victory from ten starts, complete the lineup.
Post Positions:
1 Merit Man
2 Rockyshomerun
3 Cat Five Hurricane
4 Brave Dave
5 Little Distorted
6 City of Weston
-Keelerman
Trained by Robert Hess Jr., Merit Man began his career with a pair of victories, including a dominating triumph in the Tim Conway Stakes. Most recently, he finished second by a nose in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint, leading from the start before being caught in the final strides.
Little Distorted has only started once, breaking his maiden by 2 1/4 lengths at going six furlongs at Belmont Park. Interestingly, the runner-up that day, Revolutionary, broke his maiden on December 28th at Aqueduct by over eight lengths, further bolstering Little Distorted's credentials heading into this race.
Another major contender is Brave Dave, winner of the Sapling Stakes (gr. III) and two other stakes. Most recently second in the Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, he has the speed to contend from the start and could be up to challenging the two favorites.
Rockyshomerun, winner of an allowance optional claiming race; Catfivehurricane, sixth in a one-mile allowance optional claiming race here at Gulfstream on December 8th; and City of Weston, who has one victory from ten starts, complete the lineup.
Post Positions:
1 Merit Man
2 Rockyshomerun
3 Cat Five Hurricane
4 Brave Dave
5 Little Distorted
6 City of Weston
-Keelerman
Old Hat Stakes Entries: Kauai Katie returns to sprinting
Todd Pletcher's fine filly Kauai Katie is unbeaten sprinting; the lone loss of her career came going 1 1/16th miles in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. On New Year's Day, she will return to sprinting in the $100,000 Old Hat Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park, a six-furlong race featuring just four other horses.
Her main opposition may come from Cor Cor, the speedy winner of the Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, or perhaps She's All Scat, winner of the Gin Talking Stakes at Laurel. Power Lady, third in the Smart Halo Stakes last time out; and Cupids Messenger, most recently fifth in an allowance optional claiming event, round out the field.
Post Positions:
1 Kauai Katie
2 Power Lady
3 Cor Cor
4 Cupids Messenger
5 She's All Scat
-Keelerman
Her main opposition may come from Cor Cor, the speedy winner of the Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, or perhaps She's All Scat, winner of the Gin Talking Stakes at Laurel. Power Lady, third in the Smart Halo Stakes last time out; and Cupids Messenger, most recently fifth in an allowance optional claiming event, round out the field.
Post Positions:
1 Kauai Katie
2 Power Lady
3 Cor Cor
4 Cupids Messenger
5 She's All Scat
-Keelerman
Gulfstream Park Derby Entries: Purple Egg headlines eight-horse field
The undefeated Purple Egg, winner of the Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, headlines the eight-horse field that has been entered in the $100,000 Gulfstream Park Derby, which will be contested on New Year's Day at Gulfstream Park.
The one-mile race is the first in a series of four major Kentucky Derby prep races -- the others being the Holy Bull Stakes, Fountain of Youth Stakes, and Florida Derby -- that will be held at Gulfstream Park this winter.
In addition to Purple Egg, other major contenders include Itsmyluckyday, winner of the Foolish Pleasure Stakes and Fasig Tipton Turf Dash Stakes at Calder; Sr. Quisqueyano, winner of the Seacliff Stakes and runner-up in three other stakes; and Star Contender, winner of the Cup and Saucer Stakes and runner-up in the Coronation Futurity.
Post Positions:
1 Undrafted
2 Purple Egg
3 Uptown Anthem
4 Sr. Quisqueyano
5 Itsmyluckyday
6 Almost English
7 Star Contender
8 Joshua's Comprise
-Keelerman
The one-mile race is the first in a series of four major Kentucky Derby prep races -- the others being the Holy Bull Stakes, Fountain of Youth Stakes, and Florida Derby -- that will be held at Gulfstream Park this winter.
In addition to Purple Egg, other major contenders include Itsmyluckyday, winner of the Foolish Pleasure Stakes and Fasig Tipton Turf Dash Stakes at Calder; Sr. Quisqueyano, winner of the Seacliff Stakes and runner-up in three other stakes; and Star Contender, winner of the Cup and Saucer Stakes and runner-up in the Coronation Futurity.
Post Positions:
1 Undrafted
2 Purple Egg
3 Uptown Anthem
4 Sr. Quisqueyano
5 Itsmyluckyday
6 Almost English
7 Star Contender
8 Joshua's Comprise
-Keelerman
A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Distinctiv Passion
While he won't officially turn three for a couple of days yet, Distinctiv Passion gave warning that he will be a force to reckon with in next year's Kentucky Derby preps when he put away a good field to win a six-furlong allowance race at Santa Anita on December 28th.
Skillfully ridden by Edwin Maldonado, Distinctiv Passion broke beautifully and opened up a clear advantage early on while running the opening quarter in a blazing :21.66 seconds. Longshot Disarm was tracking him in second, about two lengths clear of Know More and Super Ninety Nine, the latter being the heavy favorite at 4-5. Counting Days and Mico Margarita were the trailers.
Distinctiv Passion continued to lead the way through a half-mile in :44.28, and turned for home well in command of the race. Disarm gamely tried to stay with him in the stretch, but could not match strides with the speedy front-runner, who turned on the afterburners in deep stretch to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths. The final time was a quick 1:08.61.
Mico Margarita rallied mildly to secure third, followed by Super Ninety Nine, Counting Days, and Know More, who dropped out of contention rounding the turn and was beaten 21 1/2 lengths.
The winner, a son of With Distinction out of the West by West mare Dance Forthe Green, is trained by Jeff Bonde and owned by Edward Brown, Jr. He has now compiled a record of 2-0-1 from four starts, with earnings of $74,400.
-Keelerman
Skillfully ridden by Edwin Maldonado, Distinctiv Passion broke beautifully and opened up a clear advantage early on while running the opening quarter in a blazing :21.66 seconds. Longshot Disarm was tracking him in second, about two lengths clear of Know More and Super Ninety Nine, the latter being the heavy favorite at 4-5. Counting Days and Mico Margarita were the trailers.
Distinctiv Passion continued to lead the way through a half-mile in :44.28, and turned for home well in command of the race. Disarm gamely tried to stay with him in the stretch, but could not match strides with the speedy front-runner, who turned on the afterburners in deep stretch to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths. The final time was a quick 1:08.61.
Mico Margarita rallied mildly to secure third, followed by Super Ninety Nine, Counting Days, and Know More, who dropped out of contention rounding the turn and was beaten 21 1/2 lengths.
The winner, a son of With Distinction out of the West by West mare Dance Forthe Green, is trained by Jeff Bonde and owned by Edward Brown, Jr. He has now compiled a record of 2-0-1 from four starts, with earnings of $74,400.
-Keelerman
Friday, December 28, 2012
A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Revolutionary
Although he is technically not three-years-old yet, Revolutionary stamped himself as a colt to watch on next year's Triple Crown Trail when he romped to a convincing victory in a one-mile maiden special weight this afternoon at Aqueduct.
The Todd Pletcher-trained colt was sent off at just a shade over even-money against six rivals. With Ramon Dominguez aboard, the son of War Pass out of the A.P. Indy mare Runup the Colors tracked the pace in third for over half a mile before a bid just prior to the quarter pole. From there, the race was over, as Revolutionary drew off powerfully through a quick :24.79 final quarter mile to win by 8 1/2 lengths in 1:36.52 seconds.
Transparent finished second in a sharp effort, leading the way through fractions of :23.85, :47.45, and 1:11.73 before proving no match for the winner. However, he was in turn 10 1/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Inmyfathersimage, who rallied mildly from last to edge Mr Beauregard for the final spot in the trifecta. Malachite, Thunder But Norain, and Market Blaster completed the order of finish.
The winner is owned by WinStar Farm and was bred by W. S. Farish.
-Keelerman
The Todd Pletcher-trained colt was sent off at just a shade over even-money against six rivals. With Ramon Dominguez aboard, the son of War Pass out of the A.P. Indy mare Runup the Colors tracked the pace in third for over half a mile before a bid just prior to the quarter pole. From there, the race was over, as Revolutionary drew off powerfully through a quick :24.79 final quarter mile to win by 8 1/2 lengths in 1:36.52 seconds.
Transparent finished second in a sharp effort, leading the way through fractions of :23.85, :47.45, and 1:11.73 before proving no match for the winner. However, he was in turn 10 1/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Inmyfathersimage, who rallied mildly from last to edge Mr Beauregard for the final spot in the trifecta. Malachite, Thunder But Norain, and Market Blaster completed the order of finish.
The winner is owned by WinStar Farm and was bred by W. S. Farish.
-Keelerman
Triple Crown Countdown 12-28-12
Welcome all to the first "Triple Crown
Countdown" of 2013! Technically, it isn't quite 2013 yet -- there are
still a few more days of 2012 to complete -- but now is as good a time as any
to focus our binoculars on Louisville, Kentucky, and try to identify the Derby
winner before he is standing in the Churchill Downs winner's circle with
a blanket of roses upon his back. :)
Let it be known that this year's "Triple Crown
Countdown" is going to have a slightly different feel from years past.
I'll still be writing up analysis and recaps of the weekend stakes action, and
I'll still be pouring through the maiden and allowances races searching for the
next up-and-coming star, but I'll also be adding sections of more informal
thoughts on topics that don't really fit in posts of their own. Today's
article, which you are reading now, reflects this change and contains a number
of such pieces.
I hope you enjoy!
****
Let's begin this year's Triple Crown Countdown by taking
a look at my first "Derby Top Ten" of the season. In the future, it
will expand to its typical twenty-horse format, but I always start with ten
horses because -- let's face it -- compiling a list of twenty top Derby
contenders this far out is no easy task!
Please take a moment to view my top ten here.
Not surprisingly, my top ten contains a number of colts
trained by Todd Pletcher, whose three-year-old division is always deep heading
into a new year. In fact, four of my ten colts are trained by Todd Pletcher.
Dale Romans, whose trainees have cracked the superfecta
in the last three Derbies, has a pair of talented colts on my list. Bob Baffert
and D. Wayne Lukas, two of the most dominant Triple Crown trainers in history,
have one apiece, as do Kiaran McLaughlin and Chad Brown.
One trainer noticably absent is Nick Zito, who won the
Kentucky Derby in 1991 and 1994. He usually has one or two good colts each year
that lead him to the Triple Crown trail, but the last couple of years have been
slow for Zito, and good colts have been fewer and farther between than in the
past.
However, he does have one colt that I am very excited
about, that being Mountain Eagle. The son of Birdstone broke his maiden
in very strong fashion earlier this month at Gulfstream Park, drawing off to
win a one-mile race by 4 1/2 lengths in the quick time of 1:35.95 seconds. He
looks very, very promising, and I am eagerly anticipating his next start. I
consider him number 11 on my Derby watch list, just out of the top ten.
****
While the Triple Crown Trail is always unpredictable, one
thing we can always rely on is that Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher will win more
than their fair share of prep races thanks to their wonderfully deep and
talented brigades of three-year-olds.
This year should be no different. As usual, Bob Baffert
has an exceptional group of youngsters, including a pair of grade I winners.
The most obvious is Power Broker, impressive winner of the FrontRunner
Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita. Sitting on the sidelines is Rolling Fog,
winner of the Del Mar Futurity (gr. I), but he should be back in training soon.
Another major name is Den's Legacy, who rallied for third in the
CashCall Futurity (gr. I).
Other lesser-known—but just as promising—colts include
dominant maiden winners War Academy, Flashback, Manando, Code West, and
Belvin; Hollywood Prevue Stakes (gr. III) 1-2-3 finishers Really Mr.
Greely, Super Ninety Nine, and Shakin it Up; Real Quiet Stakes
winner Carving; allowance optional claiming race winner Z Big Apple;
and undoubtedly many others that have yet to establish themselves.
Todd Pletcher's brigade is arguably even stronger. His
major stakes winners include Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner and likely
champion Shanghai Bobby; CashCall Futurity (gr. I) winner Violence;
and Remsen Stakes (gr. III) winner Overanalyze. He is also the trainer
of Capo Bastone, third in both the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) and
FrontRunner Stakes (gr. I) when trained by John Sadler; and Delhomme,
who broke his maiden over a pair of next-out winners before finishing third by
less than a length in the Remsen.
Other impressive maiden winners trained by Pletcher
include Palace Malice and Revolutionary, the latter having won
his first race just this afternoon by 8 1/2 impressive lengths. Archwarrior,
Darwin, and Micromanage all broke their maidens sharply earlier
this year before disappointing in major stakes engagements, but all deserve
additional opportunities to prove themselves along the Triple Crown Trail.
And let's not overlook his fillies! Frizette Stakes (gr.
I) winner Dreaming of Julia and Matron Stakes (gr. II) winner Kauai
Katie are the headliners, but he also has Demoiselle Stakes (gr. II) winner
Unlimited Budget and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. I) fourth-place
finisher Tara From the Cape.
****
The Breeders' Cup Juvenile, being the richest race for
two-year-olds in this country, always holds a great deal of weight in
determining the year-end championship. Unfortunately, it has proven to be a
poor indicator of future success in the Kentucky Derby, with only Street Sense
managing to complete the highly difficult Juvenile/Derby double.
In recent years, we have seen promising colts like War
Pass and Uncle Mo romp to victory in the Juvenile and look like budding
superstars heading into the Triple Crown. Unfortunately, injury forced
premature retirement upon War Pass, and a rare illness kept Uncle Mo from
living up to his vast potential.
However, last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile was different
from most. While none of the contestants were able to win the Derby, an
incredible nine of the thirteen Juvenile starters made it to the Derby
starting gate, and eleven have returned to win graded stakes races this
year.
Whether or not this year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile will
yield similar results is open to debate. The winner was Shanghai Bobby,
an obviously talented colt that also won the Champagne Stakes (gr. I) and
Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) this year during one of the strongest two-year-old
campaigns in many years.
However, from a speed-figure perspective, the Juvenile
was shockingly slow. The winner's Beyer Speed Figure was a mere 82, the lowest
since Beyers were first published in 1991. Furthermore, Shanghai Bobby's final
time -- 1:44.58 -- ranks as the fourth-slowest in the history of the race.
Third, actually, if you toss out the 1:49.61 clocked by Vindication when the
race was run at nine furlongs.
Furthermore, the few Breeders' Cup Juvenile competitors
that have run since then have done nothing to inspire confidence in the quality
of the race. He's Had Enough, runner-up by a head, was subsequently
beaten nine lengths when fifth in the CashCall Futurity. Title Contender,
beaten sixteen lengths in the Juvenile, was beaten 48 3/4 lengths in the
CashCall while finishing last. And Monument, last in the Juvenile while
beaten 25 1/2 lengths, could only manage third next time out against
California-breds in the King Glorious Stakes.
Now, don't get me wrong, I am not writing off this year's
Breeders' Cup Juvenile field as too slow to possibly have an impact on next
year's Triple Crown. I am merely taking note of a few facts that I found
intriguing. It will be fascinating to see how Shanghai Bobby fares in the Holy
Bull Stakes (gr. III) next month, his first start since the Juvenile.
****
Last year's California-based three-year-olds were clearly
the best in the country. I'll Have Another and Bodemeister shipped from
California to run 1-2 in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, and
Bodemeister also won the Arkansas Derby. Another Californian, Paynter, won the
Haskell Invitational (gr. I) and was second in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Nonios began his career at Golden Gate in Northern California before eventually
placing second in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I), Awesome Again Stakes (gr.
I), and Native Diver Stakes (gr. III), the latter two efforts coming against
older horses.
Lesser-remembered Californians won their fair share of
races, too. Castaway won a division of the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at
Oaklawn; Secret Circle won the other division, and the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) as
well. Called to Serve began his career in California, then embarked on an
expedition to the east coast that ended with a romping win in the Discovery
Handicap (gr. III). Topping things off was Handsome Mike, who -- after
competing unsuccessfully in a number of California stakes races -- scored a
19-1 upset in the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II).
Things could be different this year. The California-based
three-year-olds have had little success defending their home turf from invaders
this fall, losing the Breeders' Cup Juvenile to Shanghai Bobby and the rich
CashCall Futurity to Violence. Thus, at this time, it appears that the
east-coast colts are of higher quality -- but as we all know, things can change
quickly in horse racing.
****
Allow us to conclude today's post by examining a
promising allowance race that is to be run later this afternoon at Santa Anita
Park.
Carded as the ninth and feature race of the day, the
event is six furlongs in distance and carries a purse of $58,000. However, it
might as well be a stakes race, given the number of stakes-caliber two-year-old
colts that have been entered.
The morning line favorite at 4-5 is Bob Baffert's Super
Ninety Nine, a lightly-raced but highly promising son of Pulpit. Although
he has the pedigree of a two-turn horse, he has proven himself to be a highly
capable sprinter, breaking his maiden first-time out, going seven-furlongs
before falling just a half-length short of stablemate Really Mr Greely in the
Hollywood Prevue Stakes (gr. III). He is shortening up in distance to just six
furlongs, which could be a bit short for him, but win or lose, this race should
set him up well for stakes engagements further down the road.
Another colt that is using this race as a prep for bigger
(and hopefully better!) things is Know More. Trained by Doug O'Neill,
who made headlines winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness with I'll Have
Another, Know More was good enough to win the Best Pal Stakes (gr. II) at Del
Mar in his very first start, an almost inconceivable feat. The colt ran
just as well in his next two starts, finishing second in both the Del Mar
Futurity (gr. I) and the FrontRunner Stakes (gr. I), before a failed turf
experiment yielded a next-to-last finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf
(gr. I).
Just two weeks later, he was back in action at Delta
Downs, where he was sent off as the 5-1 third choice in the Delta Downs Jackpot
Stakes (gr. III). While he never threatened en route to an eighth-place finish,
it's probably wise to forgive that effort, considering the unique nature of the
Delta Downs main track and the fact that he was running back on just two weeks
rest.
Distinctiv Passion may be 7-2 on the morning line, but believe me, this
colt is a good one and can win this race. After starting his career with a pair
of decent efforts against good colts, he broke through on November 25th with a
solid victory in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Betfair Hollywood Park.
What made his effort most impressive was the fact that the second- and
third-place finishers, Belvin and Manando, have both come back to break their
own maidens in good fashion.
Mico Margarita will also receive a good deal of support in the wagering. After breaking
his maiden second time out, with subsequent Remsen Stakes runner-up Normandy
Invasion behind him, the colt finished a good third in the Breeders' Cup
Juvenile Turf Sprint Preview Stakes after leading into the stretch. Most
recently, he was beaten a nose by Bob Baffert's Z Big Apple in a six-furlong
allowance at Hollywood Park about three weeks ago. Trained by Steve Asmussen,
Mico Margarita has speed, but is versatile enough to come from off-the-pace if
necessary.
Counting Days, an impressive maiden claiming winner that most recently finished seventh
in the Generous Stakes (gr. III), and Disarm, a Texas-bred coming off of
a starter allowance victory at Hollywood, round out the six-horse field.
My selection is Distinctiv Passion. While I
greatly respect the merits of Super Ninety Nine and Know More, and acknowledge
that they could be stronger Triple Crown candidates further down the road, I
think that Distinctiv Passion is as fit as he can be -- coming off of two
consecutive sub-59 five-furlong workouts -- and feel he's superior to the
favorites at this distance.
-Keelerman
Keelerman's Derby Top Ten 12-28-12
1. Dewey Square (Bernardini - Somethinaboutbetty, by Forestry) Trained by Dale Romans
I was very impressed by his effort in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. After being hung wide on both turns, he appeared to be on his way to a distant defeat at the top of the stretch. However, he seemed to find another gear when challenged by Tesseron and finished very well in the final eighth of a mile, winning his personal duel with Tesseron and closing 2 1/2 lengths on the winner. Coming off of two very easy victories, I was pleased to see him dig deep when it mattered and give it his all.
2. Normandy Invasion (Tapit - Boston Lady, by Boston Harbor) Trained by Chad Brown
He made a simply tremendous run around the final turn of the Remsen Stakes, and while he did flatten out just a bit in deep stretch to be beaten a nose, I think that he has the potential to keep improving with leaps and bounds. Also take note of the fact that the final time in the Remsen -- 1:50.13 -- was a full two seconds faster than Unlimited Budget ran in winning the Demoiselle Stakes one race earlier.
3. Capo Bastone (Stree Boss - Fight to Love, by Fit to Fight) Trained by Todd Pletcher
In my opinion, Capo Bastone's efforts in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the FrontRunner Stakes were two of the finest performances turned in by a two-year-old this year. In the FrontRunner, he dropped back to last over a very speed-favoring track, yet still rallied to be beaten just a half-length for second. In the Juvenile, he again trailed the field over a speed-favoring surface, yet still rallied to loom menacingly in the stretch before flattening out a bit to finish third. It was later discovered that he had bled. He has since been transferred to the barn of Todd Pletcher and is currently training in Florida.
4. Shanghai Bobby (Harlan's Holiday - Steelin', by Orientate) Trained by Todd Pletcher
You can't deny that Shanghai Bobby has talent. He's unbeaten in five starts, he won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he won the Champagne, he won the Hopeful . . . you don't sweep that trio if you lack talent. However, speed-favoring tracks seemed to help his chances in both the Juvenile and the Champagne, and he doesn't have the strongest mile-and-a-quarter pedigree.
5. Gulfport (Unbridled's Song - Dream Supreme, by Seeking the Gold) Trained by Dale Romans
This guy has flashed talent since his first start, but really put it all together two starts ago, romping to victory in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. He backed up that effort with an impressive triumph in a one-mile allowance race at Churchill Downs, which he won by 2 3/4 lengths in the quick time of 1:35.93. It appears as though the sky is the limit for this talented colt.
6. War Academy (Giant's Causeway - Cabbage Key, by A.P. Indy) Trained by Bob Baffert
He's only made one start, but it was a good one. In a 6-1/2 furlong maiden special weight at Betfair Hollywood Park, War Academy settled back into third while racing three wide, then finished up strongly to win by a commanding 1 3/4 lengths. His final time of 1:17.66 wasn't anything stellar, but this colt is not bred to be a sprinter. He is bred top-and-bottom to be a stayer -- he's a son of Giant's Causeway out of an A.P. Indy mare.
7. Violence (Medaglia d'Oro - Violent Beauty, by Gone West) Trained by Todd Pletcher
It took him a couple of tries, but Violence finally seems to be getting this racing thing figured out. After running greenly to victory in both a maiden special weight and the Nashua Stakes (gr. II), he put it all together in the CashCall Futurity (gr. I), racing along the rail for much of the race before splitting horses in the stretch and drawing off late to win by 1 1/4 lengths. He looks like a good one.
8. Titletown Five (Tiznow - D' Wildcat Speed, by Forest Wildcat) Trained by D. Wayne Lukas
This colt's career has been an interesting one. After losing his first three starts -- while competing against horses like Gulfport, Violence, and Maybe So -- he broke through in terrific fashion last time out, winning a seven-furlong allowance race at Churchill Downs by nine lengths while stopping the clock in 1:23.84. The runner-up, Bradester, was in turn ten lengths clear of the third-place finisher, and has since returned to break his own maiden in impressive fashion.
9. Overanalyze (Dixie Union - Unacloud, by Unaccounted For) Trained by Todd Pletcher
This fine colt showed a tremendous deal of grit in the Remsen Stakes, digging in when challenged by Normandy Invasion in the homestretch to turn certain defeat into victory. For his effort, he earned a Beyer speed figure of 99, one of the highest of the year for a two-year-old colt. The only reason I rank him so low is because he seems to be more of a grinder type, and doesn't have the same turn-of-foot as Normandy Invasion.
10. Long River (A.P. Indy - Round Pond, by Awesome Again) Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin
Beautifully-bred Darley colt lost his first two starts -- albeit against some very good horses -- before breaking through with a three-quarter length triumph going a mile and seventy yards at Aqueduct in rather quick time. He is currently scheduled to contest the Jerome Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct on January 5th, where he will get an opportunity to prove himself as an elite Derby contender.
-Keelerman
I was very impressed by his effort in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. After being hung wide on both turns, he appeared to be on his way to a distant defeat at the top of the stretch. However, he seemed to find another gear when challenged by Tesseron and finished very well in the final eighth of a mile, winning his personal duel with Tesseron and closing 2 1/2 lengths on the winner. Coming off of two very easy victories, I was pleased to see him dig deep when it mattered and give it his all.
2. Normandy Invasion (Tapit - Boston Lady, by Boston Harbor) Trained by Chad Brown
He made a simply tremendous run around the final turn of the Remsen Stakes, and while he did flatten out just a bit in deep stretch to be beaten a nose, I think that he has the potential to keep improving with leaps and bounds. Also take note of the fact that the final time in the Remsen -- 1:50.13 -- was a full two seconds faster than Unlimited Budget ran in winning the Demoiselle Stakes one race earlier.
3. Capo Bastone (Stree Boss - Fight to Love, by Fit to Fight) Trained by Todd Pletcher
In my opinion, Capo Bastone's efforts in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the FrontRunner Stakes were two of the finest performances turned in by a two-year-old this year. In the FrontRunner, he dropped back to last over a very speed-favoring track, yet still rallied to be beaten just a half-length for second. In the Juvenile, he again trailed the field over a speed-favoring surface, yet still rallied to loom menacingly in the stretch before flattening out a bit to finish third. It was later discovered that he had bled. He has since been transferred to the barn of Todd Pletcher and is currently training in Florida.
4. Shanghai Bobby (Harlan's Holiday - Steelin', by Orientate) Trained by Todd Pletcher
You can't deny that Shanghai Bobby has talent. He's unbeaten in five starts, he won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he won the Champagne, he won the Hopeful . . . you don't sweep that trio if you lack talent. However, speed-favoring tracks seemed to help his chances in both the Juvenile and the Champagne, and he doesn't have the strongest mile-and-a-quarter pedigree.
5. Gulfport (Unbridled's Song - Dream Supreme, by Seeking the Gold) Trained by Dale Romans
This guy has flashed talent since his first start, but really put it all together two starts ago, romping to victory in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. He backed up that effort with an impressive triumph in a one-mile allowance race at Churchill Downs, which he won by 2 3/4 lengths in the quick time of 1:35.93. It appears as though the sky is the limit for this talented colt.
6. War Academy (Giant's Causeway - Cabbage Key, by A.P. Indy) Trained by Bob Baffert
He's only made one start, but it was a good one. In a 6-1/2 furlong maiden special weight at Betfair Hollywood Park, War Academy settled back into third while racing three wide, then finished up strongly to win by a commanding 1 3/4 lengths. His final time of 1:17.66 wasn't anything stellar, but this colt is not bred to be a sprinter. He is bred top-and-bottom to be a stayer -- he's a son of Giant's Causeway out of an A.P. Indy mare.
7. Violence (Medaglia d'Oro - Violent Beauty, by Gone West) Trained by Todd Pletcher
It took him a couple of tries, but Violence finally seems to be getting this racing thing figured out. After running greenly to victory in both a maiden special weight and the Nashua Stakes (gr. II), he put it all together in the CashCall Futurity (gr. I), racing along the rail for much of the race before splitting horses in the stretch and drawing off late to win by 1 1/4 lengths. He looks like a good one.
8. Titletown Five (Tiznow - D' Wildcat Speed, by Forest Wildcat) Trained by D. Wayne Lukas
This colt's career has been an interesting one. After losing his first three starts -- while competing against horses like Gulfport, Violence, and Maybe So -- he broke through in terrific fashion last time out, winning a seven-furlong allowance race at Churchill Downs by nine lengths while stopping the clock in 1:23.84. The runner-up, Bradester, was in turn ten lengths clear of the third-place finisher, and has since returned to break his own maiden in impressive fashion.
9. Overanalyze (Dixie Union - Unacloud, by Unaccounted For) Trained by Todd Pletcher
This fine colt showed a tremendous deal of grit in the Remsen Stakes, digging in when challenged by Normandy Invasion in the homestretch to turn certain defeat into victory. For his effort, he earned a Beyer speed figure of 99, one of the highest of the year for a two-year-old colt. The only reason I rank him so low is because he seems to be more of a grinder type, and doesn't have the same turn-of-foot as Normandy Invasion.
10. Long River (A.P. Indy - Round Pond, by Awesome Again) Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin
Beautifully-bred Darley colt lost his first two starts -- albeit against some very good horses -- before breaking through with a three-quarter length triumph going a mile and seventy yards at Aqueduct in rather quick time. He is currently scheduled to contest the Jerome Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct on January 5th, where he will get an opportunity to prove himself as an elite Derby contender.
-Keelerman
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Book Review rallies for La Brea victory
The talented filly Book Review, making her debut for trainer Bob Baffert, rallied furiously in the final eighth of a mile to win the $300,000 La Brea Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park by a head.
Ridden to victory by Rafael Bejarano, Book Review was allowed to settle back in sixth place early on as Reneesgotzip, Nechez Dawn, and heavily favored My Miss Aurelia dueled through quick fractions of :22.42 and :44.17. Mamma Kimbo was a few lengths behind them in fourth, with Candrea and Book Review several more lengths behind her. Creditcardroulette was the trailer.
Coming off the final turn, Nechez Dawn dropped out of contention, leaving Reneesgotzip and My Miss Aurelia alone on the lead at the top of the stretch. The two fillies battled gamely, with Reneesgotzip tenaciously clinging to the advantage as the finish approached.
However, rallying quickly on the far outside was Book Review, and while she appeared to be too far back at the eighth pole to possibly win, she found another gear late in the race and just managed to get up in time to win the seven-furlong race in 1:22.41 seconds.
Reneesgotzip edged My Miss Aurelia by a neck for second, while Candrea finished another length back in fourth.
The winner, a daughter of Giant's Causeway, had previously been trained by Chad Brown. She entered the La Brea off of a fifth-place finish in the Gazelle Stakes (gr. I) at Aqueduct, but had previously won Charles Town Oaks and Imperial Gesture Stakes in good fashion. She has now compiled a record of five wins, two seconds, and a third from ten starts.
-Keelerman
Ridden to victory by Rafael Bejarano, Book Review was allowed to settle back in sixth place early on as Reneesgotzip, Nechez Dawn, and heavily favored My Miss Aurelia dueled through quick fractions of :22.42 and :44.17. Mamma Kimbo was a few lengths behind them in fourth, with Candrea and Book Review several more lengths behind her. Creditcardroulette was the trailer.
Coming off the final turn, Nechez Dawn dropped out of contention, leaving Reneesgotzip and My Miss Aurelia alone on the lead at the top of the stretch. The two fillies battled gamely, with Reneesgotzip tenaciously clinging to the advantage as the finish approached.
However, rallying quickly on the far outside was Book Review, and while she appeared to be too far back at the eighth pole to possibly win, she found another gear late in the race and just managed to get up in time to win the seven-furlong race in 1:22.41 seconds.
Reneesgotzip edged My Miss Aurelia by a neck for second, while Candrea finished another length back in fourth.
The winner, a daughter of Giant's Causeway, had previously been trained by Chad Brown. She entered the La Brea off of a fifth-place finish in the Gazelle Stakes (gr. I) at Aqueduct, but had previously won Charles Town Oaks and Imperial Gesture Stakes in good fashion. She has now compiled a record of five wins, two seconds, and a third from ten starts.
-Keelerman
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Malibu Stakes Entries: Breeders' Cup runner-ups headline field
The Lumber Guy, runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), and Unbridled's Note, runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. I), are among the ten three-year-old colts and geldings entered in the $300,000 Malibu Stakes (gr. I), to be run on December 26th at Santa Anita Park.
Other prominent entrants include a quartet from the barn of Bob Baffert -- El Cajon Stakes winner Fed Biz, 2011 Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) winner Drill, Southwest Stakes (gr. III) winner Castaway, and allowance winner Guilt Trip.
Jimmy Creed, third in the Santa Anita Sprint Championships Stakes (gr. I); Politicallycorrect, winner of the Damascus Stakes and Oklahoma Derby; Basmati, runner-up in the 2011 Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes; and Private Zone, runner-up in the Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (gr. III), round out the field.
1 Fed Biz
2 Jimmy Creed
3 Drill
4 The Lumber Guy
5 Politicallycorrect
6 Basmati
7 Castaway
8 Private Zone
9 Guilt Trip
10 Unbridled's Note
-Keelerman
Other prominent entrants include a quartet from the barn of Bob Baffert -- El Cajon Stakes winner Fed Biz, 2011 Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) winner Drill, Southwest Stakes (gr. III) winner Castaway, and allowance winner Guilt Trip.
Jimmy Creed, third in the Santa Anita Sprint Championships Stakes (gr. I); Politicallycorrect, winner of the Damascus Stakes and Oklahoma Derby; Basmati, runner-up in the 2011 Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes; and Private Zone, runner-up in the Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (gr. III), round out the field.
1 Fed Biz
2 Jimmy Creed
3 Drill
4 The Lumber Guy
5 Politicallycorrect
6 Basmati
7 Castaway
8 Private Zone
9 Guilt Trip
10 Unbridled's Note
-Keelerman
Friday, December 21, 2012
Eblouissante returns to work tab
Earlier this morning at Betfair Hollywood Park, Eblouissante -- a three-year-old half sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta -- turned in her first workout since being scratched from an allowance race on December 16th.
Her breeze was five furlongs in distance, and she recorded an impressive time of 1:00 minute flat. It was the sixth fastest work of the morning at that distance.
The daughter of Bernardini had broken her maiden in impressive fashion on November 16th and was expected to be heavily favored in the December allowance race. However, after banging her hip in the receiving barn prior to the race, her connections chose to scratch from the race and regroup.
Trained by John Shirreffs, Eblouissante is expected to make the second start of her career during the first month of the Santa Anita meet, which begins December 26th. One possible goal is the $500,000 La Canada Stakes (gr. II), a 1 1/16th miles race scheduled to be run on January 20th.
-Keelerman
Her breeze was five furlongs in distance, and she recorded an impressive time of 1:00 minute flat. It was the sixth fastest work of the morning at that distance.
The daughter of Bernardini had broken her maiden in impressive fashion on November 16th and was expected to be heavily favored in the December allowance race. However, after banging her hip in the receiving barn prior to the race, her connections chose to scratch from the race and regroup.
Trained by John Shirreffs, Eblouissante is expected to make the second start of her career during the first month of the Santa Anita meet, which begins December 26th. One possible goal is the $500,000 La Canada Stakes (gr. II), a 1 1/16th miles race scheduled to be run on January 20th.
-Keelerman
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Violence remains unbeaten in CashCall Futurity
Nashua Stakes (gr. II) winner Violence successfully shipped across the country to win the $750,000 CashCall Futurity (gr. I) on Saturday afternoon at Betfair Hollywood Park, bringing his unbeaten record to a perfect 3-for-3.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, the colt had previously won the Nashua Stakes (gr. II) in good fashion at Aqueduct and a maiden special weight at Saratoga. With this strong record, he was sent off as the favorite at 1.20-1.
Ridden to victory by Javier Castellano, Violence was just a tad slow out of the gate but quickly recovered to race in fifth as Really Mr Greely, Fury Kapcori, Title Contender, and Oxbow set quick fractions of :22.97 and :46.07. Simon Eyes, Carving, Dirty Swagg, Den's Legacy, Little Jerry, and He's Had Enough were the early trailers.
Rounding the final turn Title Contender began to drop back, leaving Fury Kapcori on the lead with Really Mr Greely and Oxbow in pursuit. In the meantime, Violence was tucked in along the rail looking for racing room.
As the field came into the homestretch, Really Mr Greely and Oxbow both drifted out a bit, providing an opening for Violence to run through. With a burst of acceleration the favorite advanced, rallying past Fury Kapcori inside the eighth pole to win going away by a length.
Den's Legacy rallied well to finish third, 2 1/2 lengths behind the runner-up. Oxbow finished another 5 1/4 lengths back in fourth, a nose in front of He's Had Enough and a head in front of Carving. Dirty Swagg, Little Jerry, Really Mr Greely, Simon Eyes, and Title Contender completed the order of finish.
The winner, a son of Medaglia d'Oro out of the Gone West mare Violent Beauty, is owned by Black Rock Thoroughbreds. He has earned $543,000.
-Keelerman
Trained by Todd Pletcher, the colt had previously won the Nashua Stakes (gr. II) in good fashion at Aqueduct and a maiden special weight at Saratoga. With this strong record, he was sent off as the favorite at 1.20-1.
Ridden to victory by Javier Castellano, Violence was just a tad slow out of the gate but quickly recovered to race in fifth as Really Mr Greely, Fury Kapcori, Title Contender, and Oxbow set quick fractions of :22.97 and :46.07. Simon Eyes, Carving, Dirty Swagg, Den's Legacy, Little Jerry, and He's Had Enough were the early trailers.
Rounding the final turn Title Contender began to drop back, leaving Fury Kapcori on the lead with Really Mr Greely and Oxbow in pursuit. In the meantime, Violence was tucked in along the rail looking for racing room.
As the field came into the homestretch, Really Mr Greely and Oxbow both drifted out a bit, providing an opening for Violence to run through. With a burst of acceleration the favorite advanced, rallying past Fury Kapcori inside the eighth pole to win going away by a length.
Den's Legacy rallied well to finish third, 2 1/2 lengths behind the runner-up. Oxbow finished another 5 1/4 lengths back in fourth, a nose in front of He's Had Enough and a head in front of Carving. Dirty Swagg, Little Jerry, Really Mr Greely, Simon Eyes, and Title Contender completed the order of finish.
The winner, a son of Medaglia d'Oro out of the Gone West mare Violent Beauty, is owned by Black Rock Thoroughbreds. He has earned $543,000.
-Keelerman
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Eblouissante scatches from Saturday allowance race
Eblouissante, a three-year-old half sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, was scratched from a 1 1/16th miles allowance race at Betfair Hollywood Park after banging her hip about thirty minutes prior to the race.
The incident occurred in the holding barn when she struck a stall door and scraped herself a bit. Fortunately, the injury was described as minor by trainer John Shirreffs.
Eblouissante broke her maiden in impressive fashion earlier during the Hollywood meet and was expected to be heavily favored in today's race.
Additional details can be found on DRF.com: http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-park-eblouissante-scratched-second-start
-Keelerman
The incident occurred in the holding barn when she struck a stall door and scraped herself a bit. Fortunately, the injury was described as minor by trainer John Shirreffs.
Eblouissante broke her maiden in impressive fashion earlier during the Hollywood meet and was expected to be heavily favored in today's race.
Additional details can be found on DRF.com: http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-park-eblouissante-scratched-second-start
-Keelerman
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Hollywood Turf Cup Entries: Two three-year-olds entered in ten-horse field
A pair of graded stakes-winning three-year-olds, Optimizer and Grandeur, are among the ten horse entered in the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (gr. I), to be run on Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park.
The twelve-furlong turf race also drew a number of talented older horses, including six-time Santa Anita graded stakes winner Bourbon Bay; Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. III) runner-up Grassy; John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (gr. II) winner Slim Shadey; and Sycamore Stakes (gr. III) winner Kindergarden Kid.
Post Positions:
1 Interaction
2 Optimizer
3 Slim Shadey
4 Grandeur
5 Fire With Fire
6 Grassy
7 Bourbon Bay
8 Tiz Gianni
9 Private Affair
10 Kindergarden Kid
-Keelerman
The twelve-furlong turf race also drew a number of talented older horses, including six-time Santa Anita graded stakes winner Bourbon Bay; Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. III) runner-up Grassy; John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (gr. II) winner Slim Shadey; and Sycamore Stakes (gr. III) winner Kindergarden Kid.
Post Positions:
1 Interaction
2 Optimizer
3 Slim Shadey
4 Grandeur
5 Fire With Fire
6 Grassy
7 Bourbon Bay
8 Tiz Gianni
9 Private Affair
10 Kindergarden Kid
-Keelerman
CashCall Futurity Entries: Trainer Bob Baffert enters four
Trainer Bob Baffert has already won six editions of the CashCall Futurity, including three of the last four. But on Saturday, the Hall of Fame trainer will try and bring his record to seven when he sends out a quartet of two-year-olds to contest the 32nd running of the $750,000 race, which will be held at Betfair Hollywood Park.
His group is comprised of Generous Stakes (gr. III) winner Den's Legacy; Real Quiet Stakes winner Carving; Hollywood Prevue Stakes (gr. III) winner Really Mr Greely; and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) also-ran Title Contender. It is a very strong group of runners, but believe it or not, none of them are expected to be favored.
That honor will most likely go to He's Had Enough, most recently runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park. Trained by Doug O'Neill, the son of Tapit has trained well since the Breeders' Cup and looks like the horse to beat, but drawing the rail could potentially compromise his chances.
Violence, winner of the Nashua Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct, is also expected to be well-bet.
Post Positions:
1 He's Had Enough
2 Den's Legacy
3 Dirty Swagg
4 Carving
5 Fury Kapcori
6 Violence
7 Simon Eyes
8 Really Mr Greely
9 Title Contender
10 Little Jerry
11 Oxbow
-Keelerman
His group is comprised of Generous Stakes (gr. III) winner Den's Legacy; Real Quiet Stakes winner Carving; Hollywood Prevue Stakes (gr. III) winner Really Mr Greely; and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) also-ran Title Contender. It is a very strong group of runners, but believe it or not, none of them are expected to be favored.
That honor will most likely go to He's Had Enough, most recently runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park. Trained by Doug O'Neill, the son of Tapit has trained well since the Breeders' Cup and looks like the horse to beat, but drawing the rail could potentially compromise his chances.
Violence, winner of the Nashua Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct, is also expected to be well-bet.
Post Positions:
1 He's Had Enough
2 Den's Legacy
3 Dirty Swagg
4 Carving
5 Fury Kapcori
6 Violence
7 Simon Eyes
8 Really Mr Greely
9 Title Contender
10 Little Jerry
11 Oxbow
-Keelerman
Eblouissante entered to race on 12/15/12 at Betfair Hollywood Park
Eblouissante, a half-sister to the 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, is scheduled to make the second start of her career in Saturday's fourth race at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Trained by John Shirreffs and owned by E. N. Kronfield, Eblouissante broke her maiden in impressive fashion here at Hollywood on November 16th, rallying from next-to-last to win a 1 1/16th miles maiden special weight by over four lengths. A three-year-old daughter of Bernardini out of Vertigineux, Eblouissante is expected to be favored on Saturday and will be ridden by Corey Nakatani, who rode her in her debut.
Only four other fillies and mares have entered the 1 1/16th miles allowance optional claiming race, the best of which appears to be Toomanytomatoes, who won a one-mile allowance optional claiming race on the turf here at Hollywood on November 11th. Glowing Spirit, a stakes-placed Brazilian-bred filly, could also contend. Longshots The Only Key and Include the Cat complete the lineup.
Post Positions:
PP/Horse/Jockey/Trainer
1 Glowing Spirit/Edwin Maldonado/A. C. Avila
2 The Only Key/Victor Espinoza/Dean Greenman
3 Eblouissante/Corey Nakatani/John Shirreffs
4 Include the Cat/Garrett Gomez/Julio Canani
5 Toomanytomatoes/Rafael Bejarano/Dean Pederson
-Keelerman
Trained by John Shirreffs and owned by E. N. Kronfield, Eblouissante broke her maiden in impressive fashion here at Hollywood on November 16th, rallying from next-to-last to win a 1 1/16th miles maiden special weight by over four lengths. A three-year-old daughter of Bernardini out of Vertigineux, Eblouissante is expected to be favored on Saturday and will be ridden by Corey Nakatani, who rode her in her debut.
Only four other fillies and mares have entered the 1 1/16th miles allowance optional claiming race, the best of which appears to be Toomanytomatoes, who won a one-mile allowance optional claiming race on the turf here at Hollywood on November 11th. Glowing Spirit, a stakes-placed Brazilian-bred filly, could also contend. Longshots The Only Key and Include the Cat complete the lineup.
Post Positions:
PP/Horse/Jockey/Trainer
1 Glowing Spirit/Edwin Maldonado/A. C. Avila
2 The Only Key/Victor Espinoza/Dean Greenman
3 Eblouissante/Corey Nakatani/John Shirreffs
4 Include the Cat/Garrett Gomez/Julio Canani
5 Toomanytomatoes/Rafael Bejarano/Dean Pederson
-Keelerman
Sunday, December 09, 2012
Dust and Diamonds much the best in Sugar Swirl Stakes
Heavily favored Dust and Diamonds, making her first start for trainer Todd Pletcher, proved much the best in the $100,000 Sugar Swirl Stakes (gr. III) on December 8th at Gulfstream Park.
Ridden to victory by John Velazquez, Dust and Diamonds got off to an alert start from gate five and quickly sprinted to the front, setting fractions of :22.92 and :45.17 while being tracked by Honey Chile, Hearts of Red, and Golden Mystery. Nakano and Sacristy were the early trailers.
Turning for home Golden Mystery moved up to try and challenge Dust and Diamonds for the lead, but the favorite had plenty left in the tank and drew clear under a hand ride in the final furlong to win by 2 3/4 lengths. The time for six furlongs was a quick 1:08.66 seconds.
Golden Mystery stayed on well to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths clear of the late-running Nakano. Sacristy, Honey Chile, and Hearts of Red completed the order of finish.
The winner, a daughter of Vindication out of the Gone West mare Majestically, is owned by Borges Torrealba Holdings and Three Chimneys Racing. She has now compiled a record of 6-1-4 from 11 starts, with earnings of $496,260.
-Keelerman
Ridden to victory by John Velazquez, Dust and Diamonds got off to an alert start from gate five and quickly sprinted to the front, setting fractions of :22.92 and :45.17 while being tracked by Honey Chile, Hearts of Red, and Golden Mystery. Nakano and Sacristy were the early trailers.
Turning for home Golden Mystery moved up to try and challenge Dust and Diamonds for the lead, but the favorite had plenty left in the tank and drew clear under a hand ride in the final furlong to win by 2 3/4 lengths. The time for six furlongs was a quick 1:08.66 seconds.
Golden Mystery stayed on well to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths clear of the late-running Nakano. Sacristy, Honey Chile, and Hearts of Red completed the order of finish.
The winner, a daughter of Vindication out of the Gone West mare Majestically, is owned by Borges Torrealba Holdings and Three Chimneys Racing. She has now compiled a record of 6-1-4 from 11 starts, with earnings of $496,260.
-Keelerman
Eblouissante breezes five furlongs at Hollywood Park
Eblouissante, a half-sister to the 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, breezed five furlongs at Betfair Hollywood Park on the morning of December 9th and appears to be ready for the second start of her career.
Trained by John Shirreffs, the three-year-old daughter of Bernardini - Vertigineux, by Kris S. clocked the distance in 1:00.60, the eighth-fastest of forty-two such morning works. She is expected to contest an allowance race sometime during remainder of the Hollywood Park meet, which concludes on December 16th.
She broke her maiden in impressive fashion here at Hollywood on November 16th, rallying from next-to-last to win a 1 1/16th miles maiden special weight by over four lengths.
-Keelerman
Trained by John Shirreffs, the three-year-old daughter of Bernardini - Vertigineux, by Kris S. clocked the distance in 1:00.60, the eighth-fastest of forty-two such morning works. She is expected to contest an allowance race sometime during remainder of the Hollywood Park meet, which concludes on December 16th.
She broke her maiden in impressive fashion here at Hollywood on November 16th, rallying from next-to-last to win a 1 1/16th miles maiden special weight by over four lengths.
-Keelerman
Pure Fun from last-to-first in Hollywood Starlet Stakes
Pure Fun, a Kentucky-shipper sent off at odds of 6-1, unleashed a spectacular rally in the Hollywood Park homestretch to win the $500,000 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (gr. I) on December 8th by one length.
With jockey Garrett Gomez aboard, Pure Fun was content to settle back in last place early on, some thirteen lengths behind pace-setting Blonde Fog, who led the way through fractions of :23.63, :47.33, and 1:12.47. Longshot Rhodium was racing on the outside in second, followed along the inside by odds-on favorite Executiveprivilege. Renee's Titan was directly to the favorite's outside in fourth, followed by a gap of about three lengths to Miss Empire. Scarlet Strike and Midnight Ballet were next, with Pure Fun six lengths behind them.
Rounding the final turn, Executiveprivilege shifted to the outside for a clear run at Blonde Fog and appeared to be capable of taking the lead, but Blonde Fog had something left in the tank, turning back the challenge and opening up a commanding advantage in mid-stretch. But by this time, Pure Fun had begun her rally, rocketing past horses on the far outside as if she were just getting started. With massive strides, she blew past Executiveprivilege and set her sights on Blonde Fog, reeling in the pacesetter with a sixteenth of a mile to go and coasting home much the best to win by a length.
The final time for 1 1/16th miles was 1:44.65 seconds. Blonde Fog finished second, two lengths clear of Scarlet Strike. Executiveprivilege tired without any apparent excuse to finish fourth, while Midnight Ballet, Renee's Titan, Miss Empire, and Rhodium completed the order of finish.
The winner is trained by Kenny McPeek and owned by Magdalena Racing. A daughter of Pure Prize, Pure Fun has now won three races on three different surfaces -- dirt, turf, and Cushion Track. All told, her record stands at 3-1-1 from 8 starts, with earnings of $343,599.
-Keelerman
With jockey Garrett Gomez aboard, Pure Fun was content to settle back in last place early on, some thirteen lengths behind pace-setting Blonde Fog, who led the way through fractions of :23.63, :47.33, and 1:12.47. Longshot Rhodium was racing on the outside in second, followed along the inside by odds-on favorite Executiveprivilege. Renee's Titan was directly to the favorite's outside in fourth, followed by a gap of about three lengths to Miss Empire. Scarlet Strike and Midnight Ballet were next, with Pure Fun six lengths behind them.
Rounding the final turn, Executiveprivilege shifted to the outside for a clear run at Blonde Fog and appeared to be capable of taking the lead, but Blonde Fog had something left in the tank, turning back the challenge and opening up a commanding advantage in mid-stretch. But by this time, Pure Fun had begun her rally, rocketing past horses on the far outside as if she were just getting started. With massive strides, she blew past Executiveprivilege and set her sights on Blonde Fog, reeling in the pacesetter with a sixteenth of a mile to go and coasting home much the best to win by a length.
The final time for 1 1/16th miles was 1:44.65 seconds. Blonde Fog finished second, two lengths clear of Scarlet Strike. Executiveprivilege tired without any apparent excuse to finish fourth, while Midnight Ballet, Renee's Titan, Miss Empire, and Rhodium completed the order of finish.
The winner is trained by Kenny McPeek and owned by Magdalena Racing. A daughter of Pure Prize, Pure Fun has now won three races on three different surfaces -- dirt, turf, and Cushion Track. All told, her record stands at 3-1-1 from 8 starts, with earnings of $343,599.
-Keelerman
Friday, December 07, 2012
Battle for leading stallion a very close race
The question of which stallion will be the leading general sire of 2012 may not be answered until the final days of this year, for very little separates the top three stallions in terms of progeny earnings -- so little that it is almost unbelievable.
Entering December 7th, the three leading stallions by progeny earnings in this country -- according to the Blood-Horse general sire list -- are Giant's Causeway, Empire Maker, and Speightstown. There earnings are, respectively, $9,677,594, $9,677,529, and $9,620,059.
No, that is not a typo. Giant's Causeway and Empire Maker truly are separated by just $65, with Speightstown $57,535 behind Giant's Causeway.
The fact that Giant's Causeway is leading the list comes as no surprise. He was the leading sire in both 2009 and 2010, and has not ranked lower than fourth since 2006. In contrast, Empire Maker ranked 17th in 2009, 40th in 2010, and 8th in 2011, while Speightstown finished 32nd, 10th, and 7th during those same years. These stats thus acknowledged, it is clear that Empire Maker and Speightstown are wrapping up by far their best years to date, making it all the more unfortunate that the former was exported to Japan prior to establishing himself as such a top-notch stallion.
But that aside, determining which of the three stallions will stand atop the list at the end of this year is rather tricky. Given how close the sire race is, a victory by one of their runners in a rich late-season stakes race could potentially seal the deal.
First up on the agenda is the $500,000 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (gr. I), which will be run tomorrow afternoon at Betfair Hollywood Park. One of the entrants is Miss Empire, a stakes-winning daughter of Empire Maker. A victory in the race would be a surprise, given that she will be facing two-time grade I winner Executiveprivilege, but even a runner-up effort could give her sire the edge he needs to top Giant's Causeway and Speightstown.
Also tomorrow afternoon at Hollywood is the $200,000 Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II), where Empire Maker's daughter Charm the Maker will attempt to find the winner's circle for the first time since last year's Sharp Cat Stakes over this same track. Given that she also finished second in the Hollywood Starlet Stakes last year, one has to think that Charm the Maker will relish the return to the Hollywood Cushion Track.
Now fast forward to December 16th at Gulfstream Park, where the ungraded $100,000 Harlan's Holiday Stakes will be run. Expected to be among the favorites is Delegation, the third-place finisher from the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I). A son of Speightstown, the $60,000 winner's share of the purse would be enough to put Speightown right into the thick of things with Giant's Causeway and Empire Maker, bringing the three stallions to within a few thousand dollars of each other.
All told, it should be an exciting race all the way down to the finish. Be sure to pay attention during the coming weeks!
-Keelerman
Hollywood Starlet Stakes Entries: Executiveprivilege looks to sew up Eclipse award
Two-time grade I winner Executiveprivilege will try to bolster her Eclipse award credentials on Saturday when she takes on seven other two-year-old fillies in the $500,000 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (gr. I) at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Trained by Bob Baffert, the daughter of First Samurai is coming off of a runner-up finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) to Beholder, her main rival for winning the Eclipse award as champion juvenile filly of the year. A victory in the Hollywood Starlet would go a long way toward helping sway undecided voters in favor of Executiveprivilege.
Her main opposition on Saturday may come from Scarlet Strike, runner-up to Executiveprivilege in the Chandelier Stakes (gr. I) when attempting to close from off-the-pace over a speed-favoring track. Subsequently third in the Sharp Cat Stakes here at Hollywood Park, she is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, who won this race last year with Killer Graces.
Midnight Ballet and Renee's Titan, the 1-2 finishers in the Sharp Cat, are also entered in the Starlet. Blonde Fog, an impressive debut winner for trainer Bob Baffert; spectacular allowance winner Pure Fun; Pike Place Dancer Stakes winner Miss Empire; and Rhodium, fourth in the Sharp Cat, complete the field.
Post Positions:
1 Pure Fun
2 Miss Empire
3 Scarlet Strike
4 Blonde Fog
5 Midnight Ballet
6 Executiveprivilege
7 Renee's Titan
8 Rhodium
-Keelerman
Trained by Bob Baffert, the daughter of First Samurai is coming off of a runner-up finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) to Beholder, her main rival for winning the Eclipse award as champion juvenile filly of the year. A victory in the Hollywood Starlet would go a long way toward helping sway undecided voters in favor of Executiveprivilege.
Her main opposition on Saturday may come from Scarlet Strike, runner-up to Executiveprivilege in the Chandelier Stakes (gr. I) when attempting to close from off-the-pace over a speed-favoring track. Subsequently third in the Sharp Cat Stakes here at Hollywood Park, she is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, who won this race last year with Killer Graces.
Midnight Ballet and Renee's Titan, the 1-2 finishers in the Sharp Cat, are also entered in the Starlet. Blonde Fog, an impressive debut winner for trainer Bob Baffert; spectacular allowance winner Pure Fun; Pike Place Dancer Stakes winner Miss Empire; and Rhodium, fourth in the Sharp Cat, complete the field.
Post Positions:
1 Pure Fun
2 Miss Empire
3 Scarlet Strike
4 Blonde Fog
5 Midnight Ballet
6 Executiveprivilege
7 Renee's Titan
8 Rhodium
-Keelerman
Sunday, December 02, 2012
Eblouissante, Zenyatta's half-sister, breezes four furlongs on Dec. 2nd
Eblouissante, a three-year-old half-sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, returned to the work tab for the first time since breaking her maiden when she breezed a half-mile in :52.40 on December 2nd.
Trained by John Shirreffs, the daughter of Bernardini out of Vertigineux by Kris S. made headlines on November 16th when she rocketed to victory in a 1 1/16th miles maiden special weight at Betfair Hollywood Park. Next-to-last during the early stages of the race, she circled the field on the far outside in a fashion eerily similar to her famous sister, eventually drawing away to win the race by 4 1/4 lengths.
Her breeze was ranked forty-fifth out of the forty-seven works of the morning at that distance. She is expected to race once more during the Hollywood Park meet, which concludes on December 16th.
-Keelerman
Trained by John Shirreffs, the daughter of Bernardini out of Vertigineux by Kris S. made headlines on November 16th when she rocketed to victory in a 1 1/16th miles maiden special weight at Betfair Hollywood Park. Next-to-last during the early stages of the race, she circled the field on the far outside in a fashion eerily similar to her famous sister, eventually drawing away to win the race by 4 1/4 lengths.
Her breeze was ranked forty-fifth out of the forty-seven works of the morning at that distance. She is expected to race once more during the Hollywood Park meet, which concludes on December 16th.
-Keelerman
Saturday, December 01, 2012
Game On Dude turns back Nonios in Native Diver Stakes
Game On Dude rebounded from a dismal showing in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) to win the $250,000 Native Diver Stakes (gr. III) this afternoon at Betfair Hollywood Park by a determined length over the talented three-year-old Nonios.
With jockey Mike Smith riding the five-year-old gelding for the first time, Game On Dude broke just a step slowly and was beaten to the early lead by Nonios, who was hustled out of the gate by jockey Martin Pedroza to try and pin Game On Dude down along the fence. But Smith was not about to let that happened, urging Game On Dude hard to try and secure the lead. This they did in bold fashion, battling their way through on the inside of Nonios to grab the advantage. Make Music for Me was looming behind them in third, while Kettle Corn and Richard's Kid were the trailers.
Through fractions of :24.52, :49.81, and 1:14.97 over a deep and slow track, Game On Dude led the way with Nonios right behind him. The positions remained unchanged down the backstretch, but rounding the final turn, the real race began. With Pedroza asking Nonios for everything he had, the massive colt unleashed a burst of acceleration that carried him right up alongside Game On Dude with less than a furlong remaining. He appeared capable of going on and winning the race, but Game On Dude dug deep and repelled the challenge, drawing off late to win by a length while stopping the clock for nine furlongs in 1:52.27.
Kettle Corn finished well behind the top two in third, while Richard's Kid and Make Music for Me completed the order of finish.
The winner, a son of Awesome Again, is trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Diamond Pride LLC, Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable LLC, and Bernard Schiappa. The Native Diver marked his eighth stakes victory, and tenth win overall, from twenty-two starts.
-Keelerman
With jockey Mike Smith riding the five-year-old gelding for the first time, Game On Dude broke just a step slowly and was beaten to the early lead by Nonios, who was hustled out of the gate by jockey Martin Pedroza to try and pin Game On Dude down along the fence. But Smith was not about to let that happened, urging Game On Dude hard to try and secure the lead. This they did in bold fashion, battling their way through on the inside of Nonios to grab the advantage. Make Music for Me was looming behind them in third, while Kettle Corn and Richard's Kid were the trailers.
Through fractions of :24.52, :49.81, and 1:14.97 over a deep and slow track, Game On Dude led the way with Nonios right behind him. The positions remained unchanged down the backstretch, but rounding the final turn, the real race began. With Pedroza asking Nonios for everything he had, the massive colt unleashed a burst of acceleration that carried him right up alongside Game On Dude with less than a furlong remaining. He appeared capable of going on and winning the race, but Game On Dude dug deep and repelled the challenge, drawing off late to win by a length while stopping the clock for nine furlongs in 1:52.27.
Kettle Corn finished well behind the top two in third, while Richard's Kid and Make Music for Me completed the order of finish.
The winner, a son of Awesome Again, is trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Diamond Pride LLC, Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable LLC, and Bernard Schiappa. The Native Diver marked his eighth stakes victory, and tenth win overall, from twenty-two starts.
-Keelerman
Delaware Handicap finally gets overdue grade I ranking
Yesterday afternoon, I read with excitement the modifications to the 2013 graded stakes schedule released by the American Graded Stakes Committee. Of course, there was the usual plethora of rather uninteresting upgrades and downgrades to various races across the country . . . the Fort Lauderdale is a grade II this year rather than a grade III . . . the Robert J. Frankel is a grade III instead of a grade II . . . you get the picture. But a couple of the changes really caught my eye, and one in particular was a change I have been anticipating for several years now: At long last, the $750,000 Delaware Handicap (gr. II) at Delaware Park has returned to grade I status.
The ten-furlong race for fillies and mares, first run in 1937, has had a long and storied history. Busanda, Parlo, Flower Bowl, Endine, Old Hat, Susan's Girl, Obeah, Susan's Girl, Our Mims, Late Bloomer, and Relaxing are among the notable names to have won the race during its first forty years of existance. In fact, the race was held in such high regard that when North American races received grades for the first time in 1973, the Delaware Handicap was awarded grade I status.
Unfortunately, a string of sub-par winners led to the race being downgraded to grade II in 1990, and to grade III in 1996. It seemed as though the race was about to go the way of the Jersey Derby and the Laurel Futurity when it suddenly received a revival of fortune. Upgraded to grade II in 2003, the race slowly began drawing better and better horses. The first was the Chilean-bred mare Wild Spirit, who won the race after taking the Shuvee Handicap (gr. II) earlier in the year. She subsequently validated her talent by winning the Ruffian Handicap (gr. I) and placing in the Personal Ensign Handicap (gr. I) and Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I).
In 2005, the race was won by Summer Wind Dancer, who had won the previous year's Acorn Stakes (gr. I) and placed in both the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Fantasy Stakes (gr. II). A classy filly, if not championship caliber, she was a good filly that did nothing to hurt the reputation of the race.
But it was 2006 that really put the race back on map. The winner was Fleet Indian, who had previously won five straight races, including the Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) and the Next Move Handicap (gr. III). She would subsequently take the Personal Ensign Handicap (gr. I) and Beldame Stakes (gr. I) en route to honors as the Eclipse champion older female of the year.
Grade I winners Unbridled Belle, Hystericalady, and Swift Temper claimed the next three renewals of the race and provided evidence that perhaps the race needed to be returned to grade I status sometime in the near future. But during the last three years, the evidence has become downright proof that the race is obviously one of the best races in the country and must be considered so in grade as well as in theory.
2010 saw Life at Ten win the race in impressive fashion, capping a six-race win streak that also included the Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) and Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III). Two starts later, she claimed the Beldame Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park to establish herself as one of the best fillies or mares in the country. In 2011, the Delaware ended up being one of the most exciting races in history, with Eclipse champion Blind Luck edging out eventual Horse of the Year Havre de Grace by a nose, with Life at Ten in third, seventeen lengths back. And as if that weren't enough, the 2012 edition was won by Eclipe champino Royal Delta, who came back to win the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) and Beldame Stakes (gr. I), likely sewing up a second Eclipse award in the process. Well behind her in fourth was Love and Pride, subsequent winner of the Personal Ensign Handicap (gr. I) and the Zenyatta Stakes (gr. I).
This vast difference between the race's official grade and the actual quality of the race did not go unrecognized by the Graded Stakes Committee, which reacted quickly by upgrading the race to grade I status for the first time in over two decades. This change is one that will surely be welcomed by the entire industry. Not only does it provide the country's best fillies and mares with a logical race to point for in July, it also rewards Delaware Park for trying their best to a create a top-class race for racing fans to enjoy. Lastly, it helps add some diversity to the division thanks to its ten-furlong distance, which is becoming more and more rare these days.
Thank you, American Graded Stakes Committee, for recognizing that a problem existed and acting so quickly to correct it.
***
While on the subject of race grades, allow me also commend the Committee for restoring the Hopeful Stakes to grade I status after relegating it to grade II status for 2012. While I certainly believe that there was some logic to the downgrading decision -- the 2011 and 2010 renewals of the Hopeful were a bit sub-par -- the fact that the 2011 Hopeful later produced Kentucky Derby/Preakness winner I'll Have Another, Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Trinniberg, and Amsterdam Stakes (gr. II) winner Currency Swap made it clear that their decision may have been a bit hasty. The 2012 Hopeful -- the first and only run as a grade II -- further cemented that fact, as the victorious Shanghai Bobby went on to capture both the Champagne Stakes (gr. I) and the Breeder' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), while third-place finisher Bern Identity won the Jean Lafitte Stakes and fourth-place Overanalyze claimed the Remsen Stakes (gr. II). That's a pretty high-quality field!
The rest of the modifications seemed more-or-less fitting with two minor exceptions. I would have left the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap as a grade I rather than reducing it to grade II, but I can certainly see the logic behind their decision. I also would have left the Fantasy Stakes as a grade II rather than lowering it to grade III. True, the last two editions of the race have been a bit sub-par, but from 2008-to-2010, the race was won by eventual Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles, the legendary Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, and Eclipse champion three-year-old filly and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Blind Luck.
-Keelerman
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