Chaos in the Louisiana Derby couple with the performance of Animal Kingdom in the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park. Shook up the bottom half the Derby rankings, but did little to shake out the top contenders. The Florida Derby next Sunday should emerge as the Key Prep, Dialed In, Soldat and To Honor and Serve highlight a compact field of 7 possible expiated for the marquee event in Florida.
#1: To Honor and Serve. Still maintains the top ranking, working steadily since his six length defeat by Soldat in the Fountain of Youth. The Run for the Roses is slowly being reduced to a one "prep" campaign. The small field and the the intentions of Soldat saying they may rate, may put To Honor and Serve on a "loose" lead in the Florida Derby. Gets Garrett Gomez for the first time who is as his best on the lead with a classy horse. No excuses will be allowed in the Florida Derby. Mott may has miscalculated running him two nine furlong races as a Juvenile and bringing him back at nine panels for his 3 year old debut. The number of horses who have came away with a nine furlong win off the bench in the first start as a Sophomore campaign can be counted on one hand in the last 20 years of preps. Mott has had a "cold" barn this spring and he reported on At the Races that To Honor and Serve had put on some weight since the Fountain of Youth. His Juvenile campaign was strong, 2nd best to Uncle Mo and a strong Florida Derby run gives him five weeks to tighten the screws for Louisville.
#2: Uncle Mo: Possible the most lightly raced and lightly worked horse coming into April of his Sophomore season being pointed for the Derby. Has Speed and strong gallop out in the Timely Writer was very impressive. Hopefully Jaycito makes him work a little in the Wood, as that is the only contender that can give him trouble before the 20 horse Traffic Jam known as the Derby.
#3: Anthony's Cross: Moves up mainly because of strong recent work tab. Nice Breeding strong connections. Eoin Harty has been toughening him up lately. Six Furlongs followed by a four furlong bullet. Maybe this is the right Indian Charlie in the 2011 Derby.
#4: Santiva: Being pointed for the Bluegrass. Strong Gallops, has been staying in Florida since shipping back from the Risen Star. Solid Pedigree, good running style, has the ability to rate and the Poly race at Keeneland should be the tightener that he needs before Louisville. Slowly improving from a speed figure standpoint and ran a tremendous race against the bias in the Breeder's Futurity last fall. Horses on the rail that day did well and the outside lanes were up against it that afternoon.
#5 Premier Pegasus: Strong pedigree, looked visually impressive in the San Felipe closing into the hot pace. Old school training, 3 sprints then stretched out nicely has a strong bottom and should get tested on the front end in the Santa Anita Derby by Anthony's Cross. Winner of the Santa Anita Derby emerges as a strong threat.
#6 Dialed In: Nick Zito has been light on the work tab with this son of Mineshaft. But reports say he has been galloping strong 2 mile to 2 1/2 miles in the morning. This horse may prove the right one can close has raw speed and is slowly being conditioned into a "route" horse. Fly Down last year was very similar, lots of speed but one run, was able to stay in the Belmont and ran on in the Travers. Nick mixing it up and trying to figure out the formula. Florida Derby may be tough if the field comes up light and the fractions are "soft" he would like a Soldat and To Honor and Serve Duel, to set him up for the Stretch run. May well see his best race in Louisville.
#7: Astrology: Made long awaited debut in Sunland Park Derby. A P Indy son is always well supported at the windows Sunland Derby showed improvement, raced wide, made a mid-race move and tired late. Few horses have won their Sophomore debuts at 9 furlongs. Main knock has been his "slow" speed figures. But has faced classy animals defeating To Honor and Serve in his maiden breaker, showed a lot of heart in his Iroquois win and then a tough second in the Jockey Club loss to Santiva. Rough to go to Derby with one start, maybe the Illinois Derby would be the perfect spot?
#8 Brethren: I think a strong rebound is likely in the Arkansas Derby much like Super Saver. Tampa Bay was kind to closers on the Tampa Bay Derby day. Pressed a contested pace, fractions were slow, but has in the Meat Grinder from Flag Fall all the way to the second turn. If they can get him to rate in the Arkansas Derby or a less contested pace and he may rebound at a price.
No comments:
Post a Comment