Kentucky Derby Horse Info Thread

[Axle]

Top contenders to watch on the march to the Derby

Courier-Journal racing writer Jennie Rees' 3-year-olds to watch on the march to the Derby:

Horse Sire-Dam Trainer Sts. 1-2-3 Earnings Dosage Comment

Adriano A.P. Indy-Gold Canyon Motion 5 2-1-0 $102,700 3.25 1st GP turf allowance; two-turn stakes next
Anak Nakal Victory Gallop-Misk Zito 3 2-1-0 $220,916 4.00 1st Ky. Jockey Club; Fountain of Youth likely
Atoned Repent-Amidst Pletcher 7 2-4-0 $136,757 3.00 2nd Remsen by neck; Tampa Bay Derby next
Blackberry Road Gone West-Strawberry Reason Carroll 7 1-2-2 $128,235 3.00 Half-bro to Vindication; 2nd Ky. Jockey Club, Lecomte; Risen Star up
Bob Black Jack Stormy Jack-Molly's Prospector Kasparoff 5 3-1-0 $268,925 4.33 $5K yearling set world record in Sunshine Millions Dash
Cave's Valley Stephen Got Even-Kamaal Trombetta 4 3-0-0 $142,210 2.56 7th Delta Jackpot; 1st 11/16-mile Dover; Whirlaway next
Check It Twice Repent-Christmas List Pletcher 5 3-1-1 $144,500 3.00 Sold after winning What A Pleasure; Sam Davis or Fountain of Youth next
Colonel John Tiznow-Sweet Damsel Harty 4 2-2-0 $255,300 2.11 2nd G1 CashCall; 1st $100K Real Quiet; Sham-Santa Anita Derby up
Cool Coal Man Mineshaft-CoralSea Zito 6 3-1-0 $97,531 3.00 1st 11/8-mile GP allowance yesterday; Fountain of Youth possible
Country Star (f) Empire Maker-Rings A Chime Frankel 3 2-1-0 $575,900 2.08 1st G1 Alcibiades, Hollywood Starlet; Las Virgenes next
Court Vision Gulch-Weekend Storm Mott 4 3-1-0 $257,542 3.67 1st G3 Iroquois, G2 Remsen; Fountain of Youth or Sam Davis next


Cowboy Cal Giant's Causeway-Texas Tammy Pletcher 4 3-0-0 $149,708 2.60 1st Laurel Futurity, Tropical Park Derby; Hallandale Beach on grass next
Crown of Thorns Repent-Crowning Touch Mandella 2 1-0-0 $29,640 3.00 1st 7F Santa Anita maiden by 7; Lewis or San Vicente likely
Da' Tara Tiznow-Torchera Zito 3 1-1-0 $36,600 2.43 1st 11/8-mile maiden Jan. 5; Gulfstream allowance likely
Denis of Cork Harlan's Holiday-Unbridled Girl Carroll 1 1-0-0 $24,552 1.80 1st FG two-turn allowance in slop; Southwest next
Dixie Chatter Dixie Union-Mini Chat Mandella 4 2-0-0 $191,400 3.00 1st G1 Norfolk; back training after minor ankle problem
El Gato Malo El Corredor-One Bad Cat C.Dollase 3 3-0-0 $160,200 4.33 1st G3 San Rafael by 61/4; Sham-Santa Anita Derby up
Elysium Fields El Prado-Dreams Tagg 4 1-2-1 $38,960 1.21 1st GP 11/8-mile maiden by 9; Fountain of Youth next
Etched Forestry-Unbridled Elaine Suroor 2 2-0-0 $95,800 4.14 1st Nashua; in Dubai for UAE 2,000 Guineas
Gayego Gilded Time-Devils Lake Lobo 3 2-1-0 $83,420 4.33 1st San Pedro; San Vicente likely
Giant Moon Giant's Causeway-Moonlightandbeauty Schosberg 4 4-0-0 $184,785 2.43 1st Count Fleet; New York-bred to train up to Gotham


Golden Yank Yankee Gentleman-Golden Charm Thomas 4 3-0-1 $264,832 2.20 Banged up when beaten a neck in rough Delta Jackpot
Indian Sun Indian Charlie-Unequivocal Hendricks 5 1-3-0 $114,400 2.33 Closing 2nd San Rafael; 5th CashCall; dirt stakes next
Into Mischief Harlan's Holiday-Leslie's Lady Mandella 3 2-1-0 $448,800 1.50 1st G1 CashCall Futurity at 13-1; Lewis or San Vicente likely
Jockey Ridge Broken Vow-Taanis Tagg 2 1-1-0 $34,400 1.60 1st GP maiden, earning 101 Beyer; two-turn stakes next
Limestone Edge Cat Thief-Most Admired Hess 2 1-0-1 $34,560 1.93 1st Santa Anita mile maiden; Lewis likely
Maimonides Vindication-Silvery Swan Baffert 2 1-0-1 $62,200 3.57 $4.6 million yearling; sidelined by shins after 3rd G1 Hopeful
Majestic Warrior A.P. Indy-Dream Supreme Mott 3 2-0-0 $195,200 3.00 1st G1 Hopeful; 6th G1 Champagne as favorite; March return
Make the Point Menifee-New Dice McLaughlin 3 2-0-0 $54,000 5.67 1st 7F GP allowance off five-month layoff; Fountain of Youth up
Miner's Claim Mineshaft-Sapphire n'Silk Casse 2 2-0-0 $92,430 3.00 Unbeaten at Woodbine; targeting Battaglia, Lane's End


Monba Maria's Mon-Hamba Pletcher 3 2-0-0 $112,534 2.00 4th CashCall Futurity; 1st CD mile allowance; Fountain of Youth up
Nistle's Crunch Van Nistelrooy-Sam Eye Am McPeek 4 1-1-2 $47,322 2.11 Scratched CashCall Futurity; GP dirt allowance next
Pyro Pulpit-Wild Vision Asmussen 4 1-2-1 $516,718 4.14 2nd BC Juvenile, Champagne; Risen Star or Southwest likely
Racecar Rhapsody Tale Of The Cat-Reflect the Music McPeek 4 1-1-1 $108,391 2.14 4th Delta Jackpot; 3rd Ky. Jockey Club; second-level allowance up
Ready Set Touch Gold-Party Cited Matz 6 2-1-1 $75,050 2.14 4th 11/8-mile GP allowance yesterday after taking Calder allowance
Reflect Times French Deputy-Franca Shirreffs 2 2-0-0 $63,000 2.38 Japanese-bred closed from far back in both starts; Lewis next
Riley Tucker Harlan's Holiday-My Sweet Country Mott 3 1-1-1 $85,600 4.60 Last race second by head in A-W Futurity; February return expected
Roman Emperor Empire Maker-Lady Melesi S.Klesaris 4 2-1-1 $61,753 1.89 3rd Count Fleet as favorite after Philly allowance win; at Fair Hill in Md.
Sacred Journey Unbridled's Song-Thiscatsforcaryl Stewart 3 2-0-0 $49,800 1.18 1st FG maiden, allowance sprints; Southwest next
Signature Move Vindication-Swingin On Ice Guillot 3 2-0-1 $65,640 1.67 1st 11/16-mile SA allowance; Risen Star next


Slew's Tiznow Tiznow-Hepatica Fox 3 1-1-0 $140,300 2.00 Scratched CashCall Futurity; 2nd Breeders' Futurity; Risen Star next
Smooth Air Smooth Jazz-Air France Stutts 5 3-1-1 $165,500 3.00 1st Hutcheson in first start away from Calder; Sam Davis next
Tale of Ekati Tale of the Cat-Silence Beauty Tagg 4 2-1-0 $313,200 2.00 4th BC Juvenile; 1st G2 Belmont Futurity; Tampa Bay Derby possible
Turf War Dixie Union-Grass Skirt Casse 5 3-1-0 $518,548 2.05 1st in dead-heat Delta Jackpot; bro. to Grasshopper; Southwest up
Visionaire Grand Slam-Scarlet Tango Matz 3 2-1-0 $48,260 3.80 1st GP mile allowance; two-turn race next
War Pass Cherokee Run-Vue Zito 4 4-0-0 $1,397,400 4.09 1st BC Juvenile; target is mile race in Feb., TB Derby, Wood
Wicked Style Macho Uno-Deviletta Arnold 4 3-0-0 $445,000 3.00 10th BC Juv.; 1st G1 Breeders' Fut.; back after minor fracture
Wincat Hold That Tiger-Tojur McLaughlin 1 1-0-0 $29,400 2.50 1st Philly maiden; Swale next for gelding
Z Fortune Siphon-Fortunate Faith Asmussen 3 3-0-0 $117,600 1.67 1st LeComte after NY-bred wins; Risen Star likely
Z Humor Distorted Humor-Offtheoldblock Mott 5 2-0-2 $543,700 2.64 Deadheat 1st in Delta Jackpot; 5th BC Juvenile; Sam Davis likely

__________________________________________________

Who's got a sleeper that they're following?

Let's hear it now - or forever hold your peace

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080127/SPORTS08/80127004/1037

 

[danmurphy jr]

Just gettin ready to send the Posse out to look for you. Good work Axle. There are a 134 mounts dreaming about this event with another 50 or so coming in. I'm looking at an outsider "Rich Young Ruler", owned by the Golfer Greg Norman. Ran 3rd in the Smarty Jones Stakes for new 3yo- ML 30/1, 1/21 @Oaklawn. A resident Jock rode him that day but suspect a more recognizable rider will
get him. Calvin Borel pissed Norman off by opting for another mount that ran down the track in the same racce so forget him. Mott and Zito are among multiple entry trainers who'll go the prep race route for the next 8-9 weeks. Leparoux has Zito's(Anak Nakai) and Majestic Warrior(Mott).
Just a start.

 

[sharky17]

The Kentucky Derby could be 1st dirt race for many All California preps on synthetic tracks

By Jennie Rees
jrees@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal



A basic principle in handicapping race horses is never bet a horse to do something it's never done. Come the May 3 Kentucky Derby, horseplayers will have to assess those horses who have never raced on a true dirt track before going to the post at Churchill Downs.

With California's major tracks required to install synthetic surfaces by 2008, an increasing number of Derby starters won't ever have raced on dirt. Last year -- when Turfway and Keeneland offered the only Polytrack preps -- fifth-place Sedgefield was the lone Derby starter who had not raced on dirt.



The El Camino Real Derby will be California's only dirt prep for the Kentucky Derby because Bay Meadows got an exemption. Leading California horses -- including CashCall Futurity winner Into Mischief, CashCall runner-up Colonel John and unbeaten San Rafael victor El Gato Malo -- are scheduled to have all their preps on Santa Anita's Cushion Track.

"That's a huge wrinkle," East Coast-based trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said of the 134th Derby. "? How can you go bet money on a horse who has won on the turf 10 times when he's running on the dirt for the first time? Now you're talking about a horse who's been only 'poly' and is on the dirt. I certainly couldn't bet or be high on them as a trainer going in without knowing."

"It's definitely a question mark," said California trainer Bob Hess, who hopes to get Limestone Edge to the Derby. "When we're buying horses to run out here, I'm looking for a different stride and different foot configuration than I used to."

Of course, Santa Anita's new Cushion Track remains a big question mark itself because of its severe drainage problems. Five cards have been canceled since Jan. 5 in the wake of unusually heavy rain and hail. Santa Anita will try to fix the problem this week by reconstituting the surface with material made by synthetic rival Pro-Ride. But some trainers are at least starting to think about contingency plans.

The top five finishers in last year's Derby all had at least one major work over Churchill's sandy loam. Eventual winner Street Sense had his final prep over Keeneland's Polytrack, but he had raced on dirt and was stabled at Churchill.

"I think maybe Derby training might be a lot more important," said trainer Rusty Arnold, whose Breeders' Futurity winner Wicked Style was drilled in the Breeders' Cup in the slop at Monmouth Park after going 3 for 3 over Polytrack. "You're going to see horses come in early and get more than one or two works at Churchill, would be my guess."

Nick Zito, trainer of 2-year-old champion War Pass and Kentucky Jockey Club winner Anak Nakal, said he won't be prepping on a synthetic surface.

"Definitely not," he said, amending, "I see myself running at Keeneland in the Blue Grass (Stakes) if it's the only alternative, but I don't see myself doing well. First of all, we don't have any grass pedigrees."

That's a reference to the fact that many grass horses who struggle on dirt handle Polytrack.

"If they don't have any dirt form, it's going to be very difficult" to evaluate, trainer Todd Pletcher said. "You might have horses who are overachieving on the synthetics, and they show up on the dirt and they don't run well. Then you might have some horses who are flying just underneath the radar screen who are maybe getting a little piece of it (in synthetic races), and they're the ones who are going to improve the most when you get to dirt."

Others think it won't be a big deal, noting that most horses are bred for dirt. Mark Casse -- whose Woodbine division trains over Polytrack -- believes California might actually produce better Derby horses.

"You might see a truer test (in the Derby), because the true stayers -- horses who can really stay a mile and a quarter -- will be the ones who are successful on synthetic tracks going farther," he said. "No more shooting to the lead and speeding away and nobody can catch you."

HOW DID THEY DO?
Two key Derby preps were run on the synthetic surface Polytrack last year. A look at how the first three finishers fared in the Derby:

Toyota Blue Grass Stakes
(Keeneland)

Horse Derby finish
1. Dominican 11th
2. Street Sense 1st
3. Zanjero 12th



Lane's End Stakes (Turfway)

Horse Derby finish
1. Hard Spun 2nd
2. Sedgefield 5th
3. Joe Got Even NR

 

[danmurphy jr]

I am for the folks who say it doesn't make any difference. You don't run your horse on a muddy track or on grass because the feel is alien and mudcalks are heavy. Polytracks are deeper than sand-dirt mixtures. If anything, a Poly-dirt track would be easier than dirt to Poly.
Most Derby prospects will prep on Dirt anyway. I hope.

 

[Axle]

Just gettin ready to send the Posse out to look for you. Good work Axle. There are a 134 mounts dreaming about this event with another 50 or so coming in. I'm looking at an outsider "Rich Young Ruler", owned by the Golfer Greg Norman. Ran 3rd in the Smarty Jones Stakes for new 3yo- ML 30/1, 1/21 @Oaklawn. A resident Jock rode him that day but suspect a more recognizable rider will
get him. Calvin Borel pissed Norman off by opting for another mount that ran down the track in the same racce so forget him. Mott and Zito are among multiple entry trainers who'll go the prep race route for the next 8-9 weeks. Leparoux has Zito's(Anak Nakai) and Majestic Warrior(Mott).
Just a start.

Just got back from Las Vegas. Spent the weekend over there came back this morning....

I'll try to follow the ones you mentioned also...let's try to keep this thread active by posting any Derby news, or up and coming colts, like the one you mentioned, Rich Young Ruler....

You know how tought the Derby is, and I think it will be tougher this year with horses running on different surfaces.....

 

[danmurphy jr]

Some Derby pre-preps Saturday with Ml
Fair Grounds - Saturday
8th #6 Amazing Results 6/1
Aqueduct - Saturday
8th #7 Spanky Fischbein 3/1
Delta Downs - Saturday
4th #1 Cubera 5/2
Gulfstream Park - Saturday
6th #6 Wincat 9/5 - JV
Laurel Park Saturday
10t #8 Shoe Freak Marlene 5/1

 

[Axle]

Good Article

Good Article

Ky. Derby Trail: What Foot Forward?

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=43400

by Steve Haskin
Date Posted: January 29, 2008
Last Updated: January 30, 2008
It used to be so simple. Every step horses took on the Kentucky Derby trail was on good old Mother Earth. Now, we have no idea what some horses are putting their feet into. Unless horses racing exclusively on synthetic tracks can at some point establish form on dirt, they?ll be nothing more than question marks on the first Saturday in May.

Not only are synthetic surfaces a world apart from dirt surfaces, they are a world apart from each other. When our equine stars run like plow horses over Del Mar?s heat-sensitive Polytrack and consistently break or flirt with track and world records over Santa Anita?s supersonic, problematic Cushion Track, how is anyone supposed to know how talented and fast these horses really are?

Because of the confusion caused by synthetic surfaces, this year?s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) preview will take on a different look. It is senseless to include horses racing in California on the same list as horses racing on dirt back east. Due to the fact that we have no idea what we?re dealing with, this first Derby preview will be separated into two sections?horses that have never raced on dirt and horses that have. Obviously, the former will be a much shorter list, but it?s better than attempting to mix the proverbial apples and oranges.

In addition to the synthetic surface dilemma, we also have to deal with the bizarre stakes schedule at Gulfstream Park this year. With no stakes at a mile or longer until the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), many trainers with top-class horses are trying to figure out how to get to the nine-furlong race without a legitimate non-sprint prep. The race they used to count on?the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III)?for some reason is now hanging like an appendix at the end of the meet, apparently serving no useful purpose.

Bill Mott, for example, who has established stakes stars such as Court Vision, Majestic Warrior, Z Humor, and Riley Tucker, admits he?s befuddled. Where does he run these horses? Court Vision, who at least has a good 2-year-old foundation, will have to debut in the Fountain of Youth. The three most important words for many Florida-based trainers could very well be Tampa Bay Downs, especially after the show Street Sense and Any Given Saturday put on in last year?s Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III), and what they went on to accomplish. Also, look for more Florida horses to ship to Fair Grounds for the Risen Star (gr. III) and Louisiana Derby (gr. II), and the newly graded Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn.

So, with all the excess baggage this year, here is one person?s still-muddled view of the 2008 Derby hopefuls. Weekly rankings can be found on the Triple Crown Mania page of bloodhorse.com and in The Blood-Horse magazine.

This year?s crop looks to be dominated by Nick Zito, Todd Pletcher, Mott, Steve Asmussen, and Barclay Tagg. So far, the stakes horses that have made an impression, in addition to champion War Pass, are Court Vision (Mott), Monba and Cowboy Cal (Pletcher), Pyro and Z Fortune (Asmussen), and Tale of Ekati (Tagg).

My No. 1 and 2 overall would have to be Court Vision and Monba. It may seem strange putting a horse on top who ran an extremely slow time in the Remsen Stakes (gr. II) over a sub-par field, but Court Vision is one of the most determined young horses we?ve seen in quite a while. He?s battle-tested, relentless in the stretch, and overcomes adversity. And he?s won three straight?over Keeneland?s Polytrack, Churchill Downs, and Aqueduct. He is by Gulch (sire of Derby and Belmont, gr. I, winner Thunder Gulch), and his dam is a full-sister to Summer Squall and a half-sister to A.P. Indy. He just needs to step up against better-quality horses.

Simply put, I just like what I?ve seen of Monba. The son of Maria?s Mon was game winning a mile allowance race at Churchill Downs with a final quarter in :24 flat, then lost all chance in the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) when he was slammed into at the start, dropping far back in 10th. Appearing to be hopelessly out of it, he closed like a rocket to finish fourth, beaten 2 1⁄4 lengths, galloping out well clear of his rivals. And I love his inbreeding to Buckpasser.

Tale of Ekati turned in one of the most impressive perform?ances by a 2-year-old with his explosive dash up the rail to win the Futurity Stakes (gr. II). If he can handle the 1 1⁄4 miles, he will be a major contender. Pyro has had to chase War Pass on three occasions and will get better as the distances stretch out. Z Fortune was impressive in the Lecomte and keeps improving with each start. And Cowboy Cal, although a monster on turf and a dud in his only dirt start, still looks to be a top-class horse who runs more like a dirt horse?he puts his opponents away on the far turn and just keeps going. He has a big, beautiful stride, and the feeling here is that his career debut was an aberration, and that he will make a successful switch back to the dirt. But Pletcher said he?ll debut on turf and then possibly run in the Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) on Polytrack, so, like the Californians, we?ll have no idea what to expect if he makes it to the Derby. Also watch for stablemate Why Tonto?s return to the dirt. Second to Cowboy Cal in the Tropical Park Derby (gr. IIIT), the son of Indian Charlie has a predominantly dirt pedigree, but did run poorly in his first two dirt races at Saratoga.

As for War Pass, he is still in a class by himself, talent-wise and speed-wise. But the big question is whether the son of Cherokee Run can carry his speed classic distances. Many feel he is more of a miler who will be effective up to 1 1⁄8 miles, but until someone beats him, he still is the top gun.

Sure, we can keep going and mention quality stakes horses such as Anak Nakal, Majestic Warrior (who had his first breeze Jan. 19), Z Humor, Turf War, Blackberry Road, Smooth Air, Ready?s Image (who is in light training in Ocala), Cave?s Valley, Kodiak Kowboy, The Roundhouse (who is still at Ashford Stud), Atoned, and Racecar Rhapsody, or the desert-dwelling Etched, but there are a number of less-accomplished horses who have caught the eye and are worth following closely.

You can be sure it will be standing room only on Visionaire?s bandwagon after the Michael Matz-trained colt turned in his second explosive victory in a one-mile allowance romp at Gulfstream, after which majority interest in the colt was purchased by Team Valor, for whom he will debut Feb. 9 in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. III). In his previous start at Laurel, the son of Grand Slam out-closed the Barclay Tagg-trained Elysium Fields, who looked like a world-beater winning a nine-furlong maiden special weight race at Gulfstream Jan. 19 by eight lengths with the addition of blinkers. What is intriguing about the son of El Prado is that he is inbred to Tom Fool without being inbred to his son Buckpasser.

If you liked Visionaire?s last race, you might also want to keep an eye on runner-up Stevil, who was forced to go six-wide turning for home, while Visionaire was able to skim the rail. Stevil, trained by Zito, also had to go six-wide in his previous start, and the rider lost his whip in the colt?s career debut victory. The son of Maria?s Mon has a distance pedigree and just needs a decent trip, which he may get in a mile allowance race Jan. 30.
Speaking of Zito, his best colt may turn out to be Bordeaux Bandit, who was extremely impressive breaking his maiden by 5 1⁄2 lengths at Gulfstream Jan. 12. The son of Vindication covered the mile in a sharp 1:35.41 and looks like he wants to run all day. If you like inbreeding with a real classic twist, he is inbred to Hail to Reason, Round Table, and Buckpasser. You rarely see a horse inbred to all three of those classic sires.

Bordeaux Bandit is owned by Len Riggio?s My Meadowview Farm, which also owns the promising Paint, who is back working after bucking shins. The son of Include overcame a ton of trouble when winning his career debut at Saratoga in impressive fashion, and then ran a bang-up fourth, beaten two lengths, in the Futurity Stakes after making a long, sustained move and having to go very wide at the top of the stretch. Zito is taking it slowly with him.

Zito has a slew of promising 3-year-olds in addition to War Pass, Anak Nakal (who has been working brilliantly), Stevil, Bordeaux Bandit, and Paint, including recent winners Cool Coal Man, Fierce Wind, and Da? Tara, as well as Coal Play and Aquarian.

Wire-to-wire allowance winner Make the Point looks like a good one for Kiaran McLaughlin. If you?re a fan of Repent, you?ll sure want to follow his sons Check It Twice, impressive winner of the What a Pleasure Stakes at Calder, and Crown of Thorns, who romped in a seven-furlong maiden race at Santa Anita for Richard Mandella (he went in 1:20.65, but who cares?). Both are bred by Clover Leaf Farms II, which owns the former. A promising maiden winner at Gulfstream to watch is the Mr. Greeley colt Kentucky Bear, who came from off the pace to win by 6 1⁄2 lengths at a mile for Reade Baker in his career debut. Two promising colts, Jedi Code and Legacy Thief, were disappointing in allowance races over the Jan. 26-27 weekend, but deserve another chance.

Another potential bandwagon horse is Denis of Cork, who turned in as impressive a maiden score as we saw all last year, and then came back to gamely win a two-turn allowance race at Fair Grounds Jan. 19 over the far-more experienced Unbridled Vicar. Trained by David Carroll, Denis of Cork (by Harlan?s Holiday) appears to have a world of talent.

Others to watch are the undefeated Canadian colt Miner?s Claim; undefeated New York-bred Giant Moon; runaway New York winner Mint Lane, who romped with first-time Lasix; the Tagg-trained Jockey Ridge; the Pletcher-trained Texas Wildcatter; and Macho Again, who is far better than he showed in the Lecomte. I?ve been waiting since October for the immature King?s Silver Son to break his maiden, and he finally did so in impressive style at Fair Grounds. I just love this colt?s pedigree. Wishful Tomcat, who looked absolutely awesome breaking his maiden at Aqueduct, is off the Derby trail with a chipped knee.

And now for the horses that have raced exclusively on synthetic surfaces. The five standouts in California are El Gato Malo, winner of the San Rafael (gr. III) and Gold Rush; Into Mischief and Colonel John, the one-two finishers of the CashCall Futurity; the Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) winner Georgie Boy, who has been training brilliantly for his return, and the undefeated California Derby winner Yankee Bravo, who possesses a monster closing kick.

El Gato Malo is all racehorse and has a look of class about him. The athletic son of El Corredor is not inundated with stamina, but there is enough that it would not be surprising to see him stretch out to 10 furlongs effectively. He certainly has the talent. Although Into Mischief defeated Colonel John in the CashCall Futurity, the latter did not have the cleanest of trips, and his explosive turn of foot when winning the Real Quiet Stakes, combined with his pedigree, suggests that he will be a force when the distances lengthen. Into Mischief also should have no problem stretching out. These two should continue to provide fireworks on the Derby trail.

Other stakes horses who have only proven themselves on synthetic surfaces are Wicked Style, Salute the Sarge, and Shore Do, none of whom could handle the slop in the Bessemer Trust Breeders? Cup Juvenile (gr. I)., and Dixie Chatter, who still has an outside shot of making the Derby after suffering an injury. Also keep an eye on up-and-?comers Reflect Times (phenomenal female family and what a stretch kick; watch out for him stretching out in the grade II Robert Lewis Feb. 2), Coast Guard, Signature Move (won back-to-back two-turn races and bred to run long), and On the Virg.

 

[danmurphy jr]

Guys, we got to shorten this info, I don't have the attention span to absorb all this.

 

[Axle]

O.K., how about we read the article and post our shortened version and/or understanding along with the link of where it came from so if someone wants to read the full article for themselves they can go to it....

 

[danmurphy jr]

Some Derby pre-preps Saturday with Ml
Fair Grounds - Saturday
8th #6 Amazing Results 6/1
Aqueduct - Saturday
8th #7 Spanky Fischbein 3/1
Delta Downs - Saturday
4th #1 Cubera 5/2
Gulfstream Park - Saturday
6th #6 Wincat 9/5 - JV
Laurel Park Saturday
10t #8 Shoe Freak Marlene 5/1

Fair Grounds - Saturday
8th #6 Amazing Results 6/1 - WIN @3/1
Aqueduct - Saturday
8th #7 Spanky Fischbein 3/1 - SHOW @7/2
Delta Downs - Saturday
4th #1 Cubera 5/2 - LATER
Gulfstream Park - Saturday
6th #6 Wincat 9/5 - JV - SHOW @7/5
Laurel Park Saturday
10t #8 Shoe Freak Marlene 5/1 OTM @13/1

 

[Axle]

Asmussen has two horses to keep an eye on:

They both appear on the original post in this thread. The Form had a pretty good article on them:

Pyro ? All ready has enough earnings to be assured a starting spot in the Derby.

Z Fortune ? Might be a good one to watch.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/92103.html

 

[Axle]

Pyro, sitting last, had to check, when moved to the outside he took care of business?last to first, under a hand ride. Pyro passed all others in about a quarter-mile to win Saturday?s Grade 3, $300.000 Risen Star Stakes. Very impressive, but this is still February, so, for me he moves up to the upper strata of contenders, for now??.lot of racing left to the first weekend in May.

Z Fortune ran 2nd in that race, that gives Assmussen to bullets for his gun?.

 

[Axle]

The Field is favored over Pyro in the Kentucky Derby Future Pool 1...


Pool 3-1
Pyro 5-1
War Pass 6-1
Court Vision 15-1
El Gato Malo 16-1
Monba 16-1
Crown of Thorns 18-1
Majestic Warrior 18-1
Colonel John 19-1

 

[Axle]

Free Past Performances for possible derby horses.


http://www.brisnet.com/promo/dby0505y.pdf

:SIB

 

[Axle]

Derby Prep Schedule

Derby Prep Schedule

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2008/preps/schedule


Title says it all...... :SIB

 

[C-A-T-S]

Court Vision and Monba are my favorites right now. I also like Etched but Godolphin will probably waste him.

 

[Axle]

01/24/08 Fountain Of Youth Stakes - Gulfstream Park Race 9

This should be a good one....some big names entered.

Z Humor

Court Vision

War Pass

Anak Nakal


Good Luck Players.

 

[Axle]

In the Fountain of Youth, looks like War Pass took a pass....maybe the connections know something...

Here is a link for the pp's for the Fountain of Youth:

PPs: http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/hgrahammotion_103122.pdf

 

[Axle]

Just an observation for the Fountain of Youth Stakes tomorrow.

Why would Mott enter Z Humor in the Fountain of Youth if he just ran last weekend?

 

[Axle]

Fountain of Youth
Gulfstream Park on Feb 24 2008
Race 9 1 1/8M Dirt
Purse: $350000.00

1 Cool Coal Man Kent J. Desormeaux 16.60 8.40 6.00
9 Elysium Fields Eibar Coa 8.00 4.40
3 Court Vision Garrett K. Gomez 3.40

Exacta 1/9 175.60
Trifecta 1/9/3 1267.60
Superfecta 1/9/3/5 12773.40