The third race of the day at Churchill -- run over a track that has been upgraded to "fast" -- was won in game fashion by Skyring, with Corey Nakatani aboard. The 15-1 shot got off to a good start and raced in second early on while dueling with Calvin Borel's mount, Fleurdefortyfour. The pair opened up a large lead heading down the backstretch of the 1 1/16th miles event. Golden Ticket, with Julien Leparoux aboard, was back if fifth early on.
Rounding the far turn, the field began to catch up to the two runaway leaders, and when Golden Ticket surged into contention on the far outside, he looked ready to take over the lead. In fact, he did, sticking his head in front at the top of the stretch. But Skyring came back at him gamely and re-claimed the lead, holding his advantage to the wire to win by a head in 1:43.27.
The next race of the day was scheduled to be a 1 1/16th miles turf race, but the race was switched to the main track in order to preserve the turf course for the graded stakes races later in the day. As a result, six horse scratched, including morning line favorite Souper Spectacular. Derby Kitten, the winner of last year's Lexington Stakes (gr. III), will likely go off as the favorite with Joel Rosario aboard. Julien Leparoux and Calvin Borel do not have mounts.
-Keelerman
Showing posts with label Julien Leparoux. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Julien Leparoux. Show all posts
Saturday, May 05, 2012
2012 Kentucky Derby Update #3
The second race on the Churchill card, a six-furlong maiden special weight, went to Big Ring, who showed speed from the start under Julien Leparoux and held on for a half-length victory over favored Vasten.
What was so unusual about this race was that the opening quarter mile was run in :20.78 -- that is not a typo. This was the result of a blazing speed duel between Rock N Glamour and the eventual winner, who opened up five lengths on the rest of the field early on. Rock N Glamour gave way to finish off-the-board, but Big Ring managed to stay on strongly through a half-mile in :44.39 and five furlongs in :56.90 to stop the clock for six furlongs in 1:10.04.
Clearly, even though the track is muddy, it is not stopping horses from turning in blazing fractions!
As for jockey Julien Leparoux, he has now won the first two races on the card. This certainly bodes well for Union Rags later this afternoon in the Derby.
***
The third race on the card is a 1 1/16th miles allowance optional claiming race on the main track for three-year-olds. A field of ten has been entered, led by Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) runner-up Golden Ticket and a pair of Louisiana Derby (gr. II) also-rans, Z Dager and Windsurfer. Julien Leparoux will be aboard Golden Ticket. Calvin Borel will ride 10-1 shot Fleurdefortyfour, his first of four mounts on the card.
-Keelerman
What was so unusual about this race was that the opening quarter mile was run in :20.78 -- that is not a typo. This was the result of a blazing speed duel between Rock N Glamour and the eventual winner, who opened up five lengths on the rest of the field early on. Rock N Glamour gave way to finish off-the-board, but Big Ring managed to stay on strongly through a half-mile in :44.39 and five furlongs in :56.90 to stop the clock for six furlongs in 1:10.04.
Clearly, even though the track is muddy, it is not stopping horses from turning in blazing fractions!
As for jockey Julien Leparoux, he has now won the first two races on the card. This certainly bodes well for Union Rags later this afternoon in the Derby.
***
The third race on the card is a 1 1/16th miles allowance optional claiming race on the main track for three-year-olds. A field of ten has been entered, led by Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) runner-up Golden Ticket and a pair of Louisiana Derby (gr. II) also-rans, Z Dager and Windsurfer. Julien Leparoux will be aboard Golden Ticket. Calvin Borel will ride 10-1 shot Fleurdefortyfour, his first of four mounts on the card.
-Keelerman
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