Oh Brother!

This was a great weekend for eating dirt, and believe me, I had my fill and then some. I thought Tapizar, Comma to the Top, Blind Luck and St. Trinians were all locks to win and the one horse I supported but thought would be very vulnerable became the only one of the weekend to deliver in the way a favorite is supposed to deliver.

Already Brethren is making more waves in the vast Derby ocean than his famous Kentucky Derby winning half brother Super Saver did at this same time last year. Making his highly anticipated 2011 debut after going undefeated in two starts last year, Brethren made a mockery of the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr.3) on Saturday when he ran away to a 4 length victory after being eased up before the wire.

With his tremendous acceleration Brethren took command of the Sam F. Davis field halfway through the final turn, sweeping past the pacesetters with disdain under a tight hold by jockey Ramon Dominguez. Down the homestretch the margin of victory became just a footnote to the ease of his performance, as with just a few taps of the whip the handsome bay colt strode confidently to the wire, ears pricked, brimming with confidence and talent.

I became a complete believer after seeing this colt's Sam F. Davis performance. He ran like a trained professional that’s been running in the game for years.

When it comes to Todd Pletcher’s training skills this year it’s all about family, whether it be Uncle Mo or Brethren, he trains each equally well it appears. Heading into mid-February Todd Pletcher could well have the two top Derby prospects under his tutelage. While both prospects are undefeated in three lifetime starts Uncle Mo still stands head and shoulders above Brethren at this point and his latest work on Sunday morning going a half mile in :47.45 did nothing to dissuade any confidence his fans and backers might have in him.

I think it’s apparent that Blind Luck is in need of a good long rest after seeing her struggle in La Canada Stakes to finish second for the fourth consecutive time. After her dull second place effort in last month’s En Encino Stakes to Always a Princess, Blind Luck turned in a series of exceptional works for her La Canada run convincing me that she was ready to run a winning race. I was a little less optimistic when a few days before the La Canada her connections said that her feet had been sore and tender ever since her En Encino run but that the problem seemed behind her. Unfortunately she had to settle for second place yet again in the La Canada, finishing 3 ¼ lengths behind Always a Princess once again. I sincerely hope she’s given a good amount of time to regain her form and rest after this, she's far too good a filly to  keep getting beat time and time again.