WRRB: Good Week, or Bad Weak?

The weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby are flying by and now there are just 6 weeks and two days until the most exciting two minutes in sports commences and racing has crowned a new Derby champion. Each and every prep race is crunch time, it’s now or never for those horses who might be on the earnings bubble with less in graded stakes earnings than the majority of their more recognized counterparts. The Florida Derby this Sunday could play a huge role in the way the 20 horse field lineups on the first Saturday in May as a deep field of colts lines up for their chance at history.

Known as the Lanes End Stakes from 2000-2010, Turfway Park’s signature event for three year olds was renamed the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (gr.3) this year with a purse of $500,000. For the first half mile and slightly beyond it appeared as it race favorite Positive Response might be on his way to his second consecutive stakes win but Decisive Moment dispersed any such thoughts when he moved up to challenge for the lead around the far turn and easily took command. Second choice in the betting, Animal Kingdom, raced in last through the first half before gradually moving up along the inside of horses. As the field approached the homestretch Decisive Moment continued to move strongly on the lead as Animal Kingdom came off the turn, drove to the far outside and gunned for the front runner. Those two put on a thrilling display down the stretch as Animal Kingdom moved quickly up alongside Decisive Moment and appeared as if he would pull away, but Decisive Moment tenaciously rose to the challenge and fought head and head. Animal Kingdom finally broke loose from his determined rival and shook clear for a 2 ¾ length victory.

Decisive Moment was the first horse to arrive at Churchill Downs to contest the Kentucky Derby, taking up residence in barn 41. Animal Kingdom earned $285,000 for his first graded stakes win which should be enough to earn him a spot in the Kentucky Derby. I really liked the way he looked winning the Spirol, determination is something I always prize in a young colt.

The Louisiana Derby took most of the attention this past weekend. With a $1 million jackpot ,of which $600,000 is awarded to the winner, it virtually assured the victor a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. Pants On Fire became the colt to fill that starting position as he held on in the stretch to win the Louisiana Derby Saturday by a neck over fellow long-shot Nehro. Heavy race favorite and Risen Star winner Mucho Macho Man lost a shoe early in the race but was still able to get up for third, beaten by just one length. Both Pants On Fire and Mucho Macho Man will be heading to the Derby. Second place finisher Nehro ran a terrific race to almost get up for the win after switching leads very late in the homestretch and darting through on the rail.

[caption id="attachment_1271" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Daisy Devine - Hodges Photography/Alexander Barkoff"][/caption]

Plum Pretty, Summer Soiree and Daisy Devine, they sound like a cheesy singing group of southern belles but in reality they comprise a trio of talented fillies that all won major stakes race en route to the Kentucky Oaks. Plum Pretty demolished the Sunland Park Oaks field for fun on Sunday, winning by 25 lengths and making Bob Baffert wish he had instead run her in the Sunland Derby against the colts. She earned a 99 Beyer for her effortless victory.

Summer Soiree wasn’t far behind with her 10 ¾ romp in the Grade 3 Bourbonette Oaks at Oaklawn Park, earning herself a career best 91 Beyer. She has won her last two race by more than 20 combined lengths and is undefeated in two starts this year.

Daisy Devine won the Fair Grounds Oaks by half a length over St. John’s River with Niji’s Grand Girl 1 ¾ lengths back in third and Inglorious in fourth. The Kafwain filly sat just off the pace set by Grandacious before taking the lead coming off the turn and held sway all down the homestretch, just holding off the furious closing rush of St. John’s River. Inglorious disappointed after finishing a strong second to Kathmanblu in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes, finishing fourth while seeming to have trouble finding her best stride until very late in the race.

Rocket Man ran his foes off their feet in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-1) when he won the premier sprint race by 2 ¼ lengths. Rating in second for the majority of the 6 furlong race behind Euroears, Rocket Man had to fight hard down the stretch to gain the lead from his stubborn rival, finally taking the lead with vigorous urging and drawing off for the win as the heavy favorite. His running style is very interesting for a sprinter. He doesn’t sprint for the wire when he gets clear running in the stretch, he grinds out his move from just off the pace.

Rahy’s Attorney and Prince Will I Am have formed a dynamic rivalry in their last two races and on Saturday Rahy’s Attorney exacted revenge on his opponent, winning his fifth graded stakes win when he captured the Pan American Stakes (gr.3) at Gulfstream Park with Prince Will I Am a close third. The win brought the 7-year-old geldings lifetime earnings up to $1,957,090, just short of the $2 million mark.

Zardana has been retired from racing after an ankle issue was discovered. The graded stakes winning filly will always best be remembered for having defeated 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in her 2010 debut in the New Orleans Ladies.

Was it an overall strong weekend for racing or a relatively mediocre one?

Make sure to stop by Kentucky Oaks Runner on Horse Racing Nation tomorrow for my breakdown of the Gulfstream Oaks.

Kentucky Derby Future Pool #3: No Suprises

The Kentucky Derby Future Pool #3 will open on Friday for three days of wagering with eight new betting interests listed. Removed from round #3 of the Derby future pool are Sweet Ducky, Sway Away, Archarcharch, Gourmet Dinner, J P’s Gusto, Machen, Rogue Romance and Runflatout. Included among the new betting interests are Premier Pegasus, the impressive winner of the San Felipe as well as Louisiana Derby winner Pants On Fire. The other six individual choices are Nehro, Twice the Appeal, Watch Me Go, Mr. Commons, Decisive Moment and Animal Kingdom.

Any guesses as to who goes off strongly favored at odds of 3-1? Uncle Mo once again gets the nod. It’s impressive the amount of respect he still commands with only one weak prep race so far this year while colts like Premier Pegasus and Soldat who have each won major preps over quality fields go off at odds of 8-1 and 10-1 respectively.

Any thoughts on the value of horses like Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go, Robert B. Lewis winner Anthony’s Cross and Sam F. Davis winner Brethren all at odds of 50-1? I’d like to take a chance on some of that action, especially with Anthony’s Cross who appears to be peaking at exactly the right time and might be better than most think in the Santa Anita Derby. Brethren could be worth playing some too if he can bounce back in the Arkansas Derby with a big effort.

The 9 furlong Florida Derby (gr.1) this weekend should hopefully be adding a little more clarity to the Kentucky Derby picture as four of the leading Kentucky Derby contenders in Soldat, Dialed In, Stay Thirsty and To Honor and Serve will all be running. Other possibles for the race that could make an impact are Bowman's Causeway, Arch Traveler and possibly undefeated Hutcheson Stakes winner Flashpoint who is also being considered for the 7 furlong Swale Stakes on the same day.

Arienza and the Novel Nine

Summer Soiree and Plum Pretty won by explosive margins over the weekend in key Kentucky Oaks preps but there was one other race that may have produced a serious Kentucky Oaks contender. Arienza is beyond a doubt the most royally bred 3-year-old filly in the nation as the daughter of 2002 American Horse of the Year and three time Champion Older Female Azeri and 2000 European Horse of the Year Giant’s Causeway. Arienza was scratched from the 6 furlong Prima Donna Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park in favor of going two turns in a 1 mile Optional Claiming Allowance the next day.

The decision proved to be a good one as the chestnut filly remained undefeated in two lifetime starts. Arienza broke like a bolt from the gate and took a one length lead heading into the first turn. Under tight restraint the talented filly rolled down the backstretch two lengths clear of her closest opponent with ears pricked, getting the half mile in :48.05. Entering the far turn Arienza’s two length lead diminished quickly as Hidatsa made a bold rush for the lead. It was a futile move by the challenger as Arienza quickly opened up once again with just a shake of the reins, coasting down the homestretch and under the wire an easy winner by 2 ½ lengths. Her gallop out was exceptional as she continued to pull away with confidence.

In both her starts the official charts have made the following notes; (1^st start) confident, ridden out and (2^nd start) cleared, plenty left. With a pedigree like Arienza’s the sky is the limit and the displays of talent she has produced so far give no reason to think she won’t be able to compete with the nation’s top fillies. Her final time for the mile was a fairly slow 1:38.05 but it was the ease with which she won that really counts. It is also worth mentioning that Giant’s Causeway was the leading North American sire in 2009 and 2010.

Arienza’s next start could come in the Fantasy Stakes on April 10^th where she would face Joyful Victory. [Check out the complete post and the latest Novel Nine rankings on Horse Racing Nation]

Mission Possible: Burning Pants and the hero of Japan

If someone had wanted to write the perfect heart-warming, emotional and uplifting ending to the 2011 Dubai World Cup they could not have thought of a better scenario than the beautiful display of love, encouragement and affection shown for the first ever victory by a Japanese horse on March 26th. Coming just two weeks after the devastating tsunami hit Japan and left more than 27,000 dead or missing, Victoire Pisa flew down the Meydan home stretch to post the first ever victory by a Japanese-bred horse in the 16 year history of the Dubai World Cup. To complete the magic Transcend held on gamely after setting most of the fractions on the front end to finish a close second by half a length, making it a 1-2 punch for Japan. Winning jockey Mirco Demuro tearfully told reporters afterward: “It’s unbelievable. It’s like I woke up.”

The slow pace of :26.7 for the 400 meters and :53.1 for the 800 meters completely shot down the closing kicks of American hopes Gio Ponti and Fly Down who finished 5^th and 13^th respectively. Fly Down received a very rough trip and was twice bumped into the rail according to jockey Julien Leparoux. The final time for the race was a snail-like 2:05.94 for the 2,000 meter race (about 1 ¼ miles).

[caption id="attachment_1253" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Pants On Fire - Hodges Photography/Chris Bennett"][/caption]

The heat was cranked way up on the Kentucky Derby trail as Pant’s On Fire led the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr.2) field on a merry chase as Fair Grounds on Saturday en route to a stubborn neck victory. Liondrive was quickest into stride as the gates flew open, striding out to take the lead over Pants On Fire who swiftly moved up to his outside with Mucho Macho Man 1 ½ lengths behind. The field moved into the turn with positions staying virtually the same, Elite Alex took up the rear of the 12 horse field as the opening quarter went in a :23.43. Down the backside Nehro moved up on along the rail to take second with Mucho Macho Man right at his throatlatch, up front Pant’s On Fire was lapped just a length off of Liondrive who ran the opening half in :47.53. From there Pants On Fire began to make his move, coming up to Liondrive as the field approached the far turn and taking command as the homestretch loomed ahead. From behind Mucho Macho Man launched his move, overtaking Nehro for third and charging for the leaders. Far back Elite Alex was also mounting his bid, coming about 10 paths wide into the stretch as the field strung out. Down the stretch Pants On Fire withstood the final challenge from Mucho Mach Man under a strong drive as Nehro came up on the rail to snatch second.

Mucho Macho Man finished a length behind the front two in third while Elite Alex ran a very good race to secure 4^th after circling the entire field coming off the turn. Pants On Fire started the year with a third place finish in the Count Fleet Stakes before just missing by a head to Wilkinson in the LeComte Stakes (gr.3). It was nice to see the winner rating off the pace for most of the race and he showed a fierce determination in the homestretch to hold off the two closing finishes of Nehro and Mucho Macho Man. Both Pants On Fire and Mucho Macho Man will be heading to the Kentucky Derby.

[caption id="attachment_1254" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Mission Impazible - Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr."][/caption]

Mission Impazible announced his imminent return to the ranks of the Graded stakes winners in a big way in Fair Grounds Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap. Exactly one year after his Louisiana Derby win, Mission Impazible hit the jackpot once again at Fair Grounds as he contested the early lead in the New Orleans Handicap before disposing of his rivals and running off to a 1 ½ length victory over Apart with Grade 1 winner Giant Oak a nose back in third.

Mission Impazzible started his year with a second place finish in a 1 mile allowance race at Gulfstream Park before just missing to Demarcation in the Mineshaft Handicap (gr.3) by a neck. He finished 9^th in the Kentucky Derby last year and was sidelined until his allowance runner-up effort with a knee injury. His effort here was stellar against a strong field and the most encouraging thing about his win was that every single horse was mounting a rally in the homestretch and moving forward and he still held on well to win. I think this was one of the strongest wins of the weekend and I can't wait to see what Mission Impazible can do if he gets to run for an entire year.

Check out my latest Kentucky Oaks post on Kentucky Oaks Rail Runner on Horse Racing Nation.

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A Glorious Fair Grounds Oaks

While there was little in the way of Kentucky Oaks caliber racing taking place last weekend this weekend features two fields of fillies that are more than capable of making the grade in the big dance. Inglorious is the big cheese running this Saturday but before we get to the races a few things have happened since last week that may have a significant impact on the outcome of the Kentucky Oaks.

Grade 1 winning filly Rigoletta has been retired from racing. It was announced on Wednesday that a tendon injury was discovered after her sixth place finish in the Honeybee Stakes on March 12^th and rather than risk her coming back at a lesser level of racing she will instead be bred this year. Last year Rigoletta won the Grade 1 Oak Leaf Stakes to finish out her juvenile campaign after finishing third in the Grade 1 Darley Debutante.

The Grade 1 Ashland Stakes has become the most anticipated Kentucky Oaks prep of the season. On Monday leading Kentucky Oaks contender Kathmanblu was withdrawn from consideration for the Fair Grounds Oaks this weekend in favor of the April 9^th Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. On Thursday trainer John Ward announced that his star filly Dancinginherdreams will also make her next start in the Ashland Stakes. It will be the first time the gorgeous Tapit filly tries her luck around two turns. She will also be racing over synthetics for the first time and stretching out to 1 1/16 miles. It was originally assumed she would head for the 1 1/8 mile Gulfstream Oaks on April 2^nd but Ward likes the extra week his filly will receive when she heads for the Ashland. Needless to say the Ashland results will play a huge role in the overall Kentucky Oaks picture and might very well decide the race favorite. [Read the complete post here on Horse Racing Nation]

WRRB March 24th: Passion and More

The Factor has been stealing headlines line a fish takes to water since his impressive win in the Rebel Stakes on Saturday but there was a slew of other big stories this past week that can stand well on their own. For starters Havre de Grace announced she is ready to leap the proverbial barrier in 2011 and become one of the nation’s leading older female runners when she soundly defeated Blind Luck in the Azeri Stakes on Saturday. Many racing enthusiasts and industry insiders alike think she could well wind up becoming the leading older female by year’s end. She may just have caught up to her arch nemesis Blind Luck this year and looks unlikely to stop improving from here. The sky’s the limit with this impressive filly.

Hilda’s Passion took very little attention in online racing forums and media outlets over the weekend, even the bloggers were virtually silent on her blistering Inside Information Stakes (Gr.2) win at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. From start to finish the race was all about Hilda’s Passion who set swift fractions of :22.07 and :44.20 through the first half mile before shaking clear of Amen Hallelujah at the top of the stretch and romping home by more than 5 lengths. She stopped the clock in the stunning time of 1:20.45 for the 7 furlongs, breaking the track record of 1:20.88 set by Big Drama in 2009 on the dirt track. Together she, Big Drama and Tackleberry if he runs in more sprint distance races, appear to have a strangle hold on the sprint divisions this year.

Bandbox confirmed the confidence of many backers when he emerged victorious from the Private Terms Stakes on Saturday at Laurel Park by 1 ½ lengths, bringing his overall career stats to 4 wins in 6 starts. He will not be pointed to the Kentucky Derby trainer Rodney Jenkins said after the race while also stating, “We’re not going to rule the Preakness out. The horse is doing too good.” I for one hope they give his a shot. He is obviously talented but I love that he has shown the desire to fight for the win when he gets challenged in the stretch. That’s an excellent quality in any colt with his sights set on the Classics.

Kentucky Derby candidate Rogue Romance is off the Derby trail after a fracture was discovered in the colts left forefoot. In his last start the Smarty Jones colt finished third in the Risen Star Stakes on February 19^th. Fortunately the injury has not been deemed career threatening and Rogue Romance should be back to run another day after approximately three months of stall rest.

For the second time in his life Square Eddie has been retired to stud duty after a tumultuous return to the races that saw him set a 6 ½ furlong track record at Santa Anita and finish unplaced in two Grade 1 races. After a stellar juvenile season in 2008 he never quite lived up to his reputation in 2009 as a 3-year-old and was shipped of for a stallion career last year.

Rigoletta, best remembered for winning the Grade 1 Oak Leaf Stakes as a juvenile, has been retired due to a tendon injury discovered after he 6^th place finish in the Honeybee Stakes. She has been moved to Drew Nerdiello’s Chesapeake Farm near Lexington Kentucky until breeding plans are finalized.

Zenyatta’s historic Breeders’ Cup Classic  run continues to be one of the most compelling stories in horse racing lore and ESPN’s coverage of the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic has been chosen as one of six nominees for a Sports Emmy Award. Here’s to hoping it wins and extends the saga of Zenyatta, adding to her already enormous list of victories, let’s have one more for the ‘Queen’!

Guess what race got a makeover last week? The Grade 1 Wood Memorial will no longer be said in a single breath as Resorts World New York has become the sponsor for the pivotal sophomore race changing the official title to Resorts World New York Wood Memorial (gr.1). Try saying that 10 times fast, I guarantee this is one race that will forever be referred to as ‘Wood Memorial’ or simply the ‘Wood’. Along with the name makeover the Wood purse has been raised to a dazzling $1 million. Let’s hope that can help attract a deep field to face Uncle Mo on April 9^th.

This weekend headlines the Dubai World Cup card with a very diverse field set to contest the signature event while back home in the States we’ve got the Louisiana Derby stacking up to be one of the more intriguing Derby preps of the season with the return of Risen Star winner Mucho Macho Man.

Check in tomorrow on my Horse Racing Nation blog for a breakdown of some of the Kentucky Oaks preps this weekend.

Inglorious the Favorite: The Novel Nine

This past weekend offered little in the way of Kentucky Oaks prep action as only two major stakes races were run for 3-year-old fillies but one of the two could be a prelude of better things to come. The Santa Paula Stakes and Cicada Stakes didn’t feature much in the way of proven quality fillies but the Santa Paula result showcased a promising run by Mildly Offensive.

Making the second start of her young career the speedy filly rated just behind California Nectar until the ¼ mile mark and then dragged herself to the lead, full of run and looking very strong. By the time she entered the stretch she was already more than a length in the lead and continued to extend her advantage from there under a hand ride by jockey Rafael Bejarano. She won by 4 ¼ lengths in a time of 1:15.70 on a sloppy track for the 6 ½ furlongs.

This daughter of Sharp Humor is one to keep an eye on for sure but perhaps not for the Kentucky Oaks as no mention has been made yet as to her short term goal this spring. Her gallop out wasn’t particularly strong which prompts me to think she could be at her best running sprint distance races and might not be as effective stretching out.

This weekend’s Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks for 3-year-old fillies lost a leading Kentucky Oaks contender on Monday when Kathmanblu’s connections announced their decision to skip the race in favor of the April 9^th Ashland Stakes (gr.1). Apparently trainer Kenny McPeek thinks his filly could use some more time before her next start and he would also like to get a Grade 1 win under her belt. This means that the Bluegrass Cat filly will have almost exactly one month between her Ashland run and the Kentucky Oaks, a schedule that should have her sharper than ever coming into the Oaks. She turned in a bullet 5 furlong move on Saturday finishing in a time of :59.80.

With the withdrawal of Kathmanblu the way is paved for Canadian shipper Inglorious to assume the title of favorite race favorite in the Fair Grounds Oaks. Inglorious finished second to Kathmanblu in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds last month in the third start of her career. There should be nothing to stand in the way of this talented filly taking her third stakes victory on Saturday.

There is little adjustment in this week’s Novel Nine rankings with the biggest change being Inglorious jumping up two spots from #6 to #4. [Read the complete post here on Horse Racing Nation]

Fact Over Fiction: Rebel and Azeri Recap

It was well documented as the deepest Kentucky Derby prep field of the year but when all the dust had cleared and the race was run it looked more like a one horse show. The Factor remained undefeated Saturday in a dominant gate-to-wire performance, giving the field for the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes a thorough thrashing at Oaklawn Park and stamping himself as a serious contender on the Kentucky Derby trail. Leading into the race he was the deserving favorite but questions regarding his ability to handle two-turns while holding off a full field of talented colts abounded.

The Factor temporarily put those questions to rest as he bounded out of the gate in the Rebel Stakes, immediately seizing the lead and drawing away from the field. Down the backstretch he was already three lengths out in front for jockey Martin Garcia while Southwest winner Archarcharch stalked the pace with J P’s Gusto and Caleb’s Posse not far behind. As the field approached the far turn The Factor’s lead shrunk to less than 2 lengths as the field began to move up but the speedy son of War Front was toying with the competition, simply waiting for Garcia to let him do some real running. Halfway around the turn Garcia let the 3-year-old colt loose and received an immediate response as The Factor surged ahead with Caleb’s Posse making a powerful closing move from mid pack. Down on the rail Archarcharch was a clear second as The Factor began to extend his lead, drawing off to win going away by 6 ¼ lengths in a final time of 1:42.19 for the 1 1/16 miles.

It was an impressive win for sure and proved that The Factor did not have as many distance restrictions as many people thought. He manhandled a deep field in the Rebel and soundly defeated Sway Away who many thought would turn the tables on his opponent after finishing a brilliant second to The Factor in the San Vincente Stakes (gr.2) last month. It was his diminishing ¾ length victory in the San Vincente that had most people doubting The Factor’s ability to hold off horses like Sway Away in a two turn race. I remember watching his gallop out after the San Vincente and seeing him pull away from Sway Away after that one came with a neck of him after the wire and that convinced me he would be able to get two turns. I was not convinced however that he would be able to win the Rebel over Sway Away or J P’s Gusto but he proved me very wrong. Aside from the winner only Caleb’s Posse made any rally worthy of mention and Archarcharch began a move that ultimately fizzled mid stretch.

Being an uncontrollable speed-ball who must be on the lead the big question now is whether or not The Factor can sustain his front-running ways in a 1 ¼ mile race, namely the Kentucky Derby. I doubt it. I think he is capable of successfully winning at 1 ¼ miles but not in the Derby with so many other talented speedsters breathing down his neck. He has speed, blazingly fast speed that isn’t cheap by any definition but in a Derby with an Uncle Mo rating comfortably behind or even helping set the pace, The Factor doesn’t stand a chance in my humble opinion. The Rebel Stakes was a great effort yes, but when compared to another colt’s 1 1/16 mile romp last year in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile I’d have to say it’s an easy choice for me who will be more prepared on the first Saturday in May.

Grace under Pressure in the Azeri Stakes:

[caption id="attachment_1233" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Havre de Grace - Coady Photography"][/caption]

Oaklawn Park had the complete package on Saturday, featuring a riveting Rebel Stakes field as well as a stellar renewal of one of racing’s most spellbinding rivalries in the Azeri Stakes (gr.3) for older fillies and mares. 2010 Champion 3-year-old Filly Blind Luck was making her third start of the year in the Azeri after finishing second to Always A Princess in both the El Encino and El Canada Stakes, both Grade 2 events. She was facing her biggest challenge of the year in the Azeri in her arch nemesis Havre de Grace who pushed the champion to ever-greater heights of achievement and performance last year.

Last year Havre de Grace and Blind Luck were virtually inseparable in four consecutive starts with Blind Luck defeating Havre de Grace three times including wins in the Delaware Oaks and Alabama Stakes by nose and a neck. Havre de Grace turned the tables in the Fitz Dixon Cotillion, holding off Blind Luck’s furious late rally to win by a neck. In the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic the two fillies finished second and third behind Unrivaled Belle with Blind Luck once again finishing ahead of her counterpart.

The results were a little more dominant this time as Havre de Grace coasted from just off the pace to take control of the lead coming into the homestretch and Blind Luck launched her patented late rally from far back in last. Off the turn Havre de Grace steadily drew off as Blind Luck exploded from the rear, making up more than eight lengths on her rival down the stretch but she was once again too late. Havre de Grace cruised through the stretch under Ramon Dominguez to win easily by 3 ¼ lengths over Blind Luck who was a clear second.

Havre de Grace has been waiting to show how explosive she can be since delivering a brilliant 3-year-old season of racing last year and she made a good show of it in her 4-year-old debut for new trainer Larry Jones. It’s not hard to imagine this impressive daughter of Saint Liam continuing to improve this year as she risen to the challenge in each and every start of her career.

Blind Luck has been racing virtually non-stop since June 0f 2006 when she was a 2-year-old and has never finished worse than 3^rd in her entire career, and hasn’t finished worse than 2^nd in her last 10 starts but something just isn’t the same with her this year. She has now finished 2^nd in her last five starts. Her two second place finishes to Always A Princess were dull compared to all of her 2010 performances and it surprised many fans to see her finish so far behind a filly that she should have handled with ease. We’ve all come to expect more from her than that, so five consecutive runner-up finishes is shocking to say the least. In the Azeri she produced an explosive move much more reminiscent of her 2010 rallies so hopefully she will be able to move forward off this run and find some luck next out. I still think it would be nice to see her get a well deserved break for a couple of months and then brought back fresh for a fall campaign where she could run to her full potential.

The Cicada Stakes a Serious Kentucky Oaks Prep?

As far as racing attention goes this weekend, all the focus will be centered around a highly competitive running of the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park and a rematch between Champion, Blind Luck, and her arch nemesis, Havre de Grace, in the Azeri Stakes (gr.3), also at Oaklawn Park this Saturday. While the celebrated Arkansas track will host the two biggest races of the weekend there will also be some minor in California and New York that could influence the Kentucky Oaks lineup. Santa Anita will host the 6 ½ furlong Santa Paula Stakes on Sunday while Aqueduct kicks things off on Saturday with the Cicada Stakes (gr.3).

 

Examining the field for the 19^th running of the Cicada Stakes it seems unlikely the outcome of this 6 furlong race will have any kind of major impact on the Kentucky Oaks trail.

Seven 3-year-old fillies are entered and morning line favoritism falls to the Kiaran McLaughlin trained In Step who enters off a solid ½ length maiden win at Gulfstream Park on February 20^th. McLaughlin has decided to sway from his preferred training regimen with the 3-year-old daughter of Unbridled’s Song by placing her in the Grade 3 Cicada Stakes before testing softer competition in an allowance race. Her maiden victory was the only start of In Step’s career. She was purchased for $1 million at the 2009 Keenland September Yearling Sale.

Dream appears to have the best form entering the Cicada undefeated in two starts by a combined 10 ¾ lengths in a maiden race and an optional allowance claimer. She had a small bone chip removed last year after her maiden win and according to trainer Rodney Jenkins she won the Laurel Park optional claiming race by 6 lengths while only....[Read the Complete Post Here on Horse Racing Nation]

Joyful Tidings: The Novel Nine

It was Premier Pegasus and Uncle Mo who stole the show over the weekend with their powerful Kentucky Derby prep wins, but one other sophomore runner turned in a performance just as impressive on Saturday. From 2008-2010 trainer Larry Jones and wife Cindy Jones have dominated the Honeybee Stakes, winning each of the three renewals with their talented fillies Eight Belles, Just Jenda and No Such Word. A few days before the 2011 running of the Honeybee Stakes Larry Jones remarked that his star 3-year-old filly Joyful Victory strongly reminded him of another extremely talented filly that he trained. That filly was the ill-fated 2008 Kentucky Derby 2nd place finisher and Honeybee Stakes winner Eight Belles. Jones does not often make bold statements like that but when he does you’d better listen. In 2007 Jones told reporters that he thought Curlin was going to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic after seeing how spectacular he looked in the paddock and he was right, Curlin romped to victory by more than 4 lengths.

After reading how he compared Joyful Victory favorably to Eight Belles I immediately set the gray filly as my win pick and once again Jones proved his word is as good as gold.

The field for the Honeybee Stakes broke cleanly from the gate and Rigoletta immediately shot to the lead with Norma’s Dream to her outside and Salty Strike settling behind in third. Grade 2 winner Dixie City was running comfortably in 4th as Joyful Victory ran another two lengths back in 5th and Holy Heavens raced second to last. The opening quarter went in :22.67 and the half in :45.91 with the positions relatively unchanged. Suddenly Joyful Victory began to move up past the half mile mark with absolutely no urging from jockey Mike Smith. She was two lengths behind Dixie City at the ½ mile mark and by the time the ¾ mile mark flew by she was almost two lengths in the lead.

Joyful Victory swept up along the outside as the field flew through the turn, seized the lead, rolled through the stretch and blazed away with ease to win by an ever-widening margin, finally crossing the wire 8 ¾ lengths the best. Holy Heavens ran the race of her life to seize the second spot after coming from far back, going 5 paths wide off the turn, re-adjusting her path down the stretch and finishing a clear second by two lengths over Dixie City.

The Jones’s have now won four consecutive Honeybee Stakes dating back to 2008 but Joyful Victory by far turned in the most impressive victory of their fabulous quartet. The Tapit filly won in a hand-ride and proved herself to be a serious Kentucky Oaks threat. Next up could be the Fantasy Stakes for the fittingly named filly. [Read the rest here on Horse Racing Nation]

'Mo' and the Pegasus

With only two starts on the schedule before a planned start in the Kentucky Derby Uncle Mo has little room for error. On Saturday March 12^th Uncle Mo completed the first of two imperative moves in his Kentucky Derby prep schedule when he romped home in the Timely Writer Stakes.

In his most effortless performance to date, the Eclipse Award winning champion began his 2011 debut by making a mockery of the seriously outclassed field. Breaking from post number one Uncle Mo stumbled slightly after bumping with Gallant Dreams but settled into an easily stride within a matter of seconds, moving up to take the lead while under a firm hold. Down the backstretch Uncle Mo posted soft fractions of :25.53 and :49.58, his ears flicking forward and back as he waited patiently for jockey John Velazquez to make a move. Rounding the far turn second choice Rattlesnake Bridge moved up to race just off Uncle Mo’s flank as both colts began to edge away from the rest of the field, Uncle Mo still under a tight hold. Into the stretch Rattlesnake Bridge reached Uncle Mo’s throatlatch, the crowd going wild. For a second it appeared as though Rattlesnake Bridge would make a race of it but Uncle Mo was simply cantering, moving effortlessly under Velazquez. At the top of the stretch Velazquez finally let out a notch and freed from his strangle hold Uncle Mo exploded to a one length lead. Relishing his newfound liberty Uncle Mo continued to pull away from Rattlesnake Bridge who continued to pull away from the rest of the field. As he hit the wire 3 ¾ lengths the best, still under a tight hold, John Velazquez let out a little bit more letting the champion run out around the turn.

He didn’t beat much in the Timely Writer Stakes but he beat them in exactly the way a champion of his caliber should. He proved extremely ratable on the lead and came home his final quarter mile in a wonderful time of :22 4/5. It was one of the most adept wins I have ever witnessed but it was the way Uncle Mo ran out after the race that really impressed me. He willingly extended his stride with disdainful ease past the wire and galloped out powerfully around the turn for another 1/8 of a mile. He should have no problem with the 1 1/8 mile distance in the Wood Memorial the way he looked after the Timely Writer Stakes. One thing is for sure, he is at least as good if not better than he was in 2010. If he's better then you can bet he'll have his competition crying "Uncle" in no time.

[caption id="attachment_1215" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Premier Pegasus- Benoit Photo"][/caption]

Uncle Mo stole the show on the East Coast and Premier Pegasus stole the show on the West Coast when he romped to victory in the San Felipe Stakes (gr.2) by more than 7 lengths over a strong cast of 3-year-old colts.

After finishing third in his 3-year-old debut to The Factor and Sway Away in the San Vincente Stakes (gr.2) Premier Pegasus redeemed himself with the most impressive Kentucky Derby prep win of the season. Racing with blinkers off for the first time Premier Pegasus settled in 6^th down the backstretch behind a suicidal pace set by Runflatout and Albergatti, with Comma to the Top a very close third. The first quarter mile went in :21.75 and the half flew by in :44.58 as the strung out field began to bunch closer together entering the turn. From last Jaycito began to make his move and undefeated Bench Points began to move from far back. Midway around the turn Comma to the Top came forward to take the lead as both Albergatti and Runflatout began to fade, quickly falling back to the rest of the field. At the same time Premier Pegasus exploded from mid-pack, blowing by horses with an eye-catching move as the field approached the top of the stretch. Coming off the turn Premier Pegasus loomed up behind Comma to the Top and swept by with ease to lead the field into the stretch. At the rail Bench Points was steadily gaining ground and Jaycito was just getting into high-gear farther back but it was all Premier Pegasus up front pouring it on as the field thundered towards the wire. He flashed under the wire 7 ¾ lengths in front of Jaycito who got up for second by 1 ½ lengths over Bench Points.

Uncle Mo was impressive, but I think it’s only fair to say that Premier Pegasus was even more impressive. With Santa Anita now back to racing on dirt after years or racing with synthetic surfaces the 3-year-old classic prep races have taken on a much more pivotal role in this year’s run for the roses. With his spectacular San Felipe win Premier Pegasus more than redeemed himself from the only loss of his career and now finds himself the leader of the West Coast sophomore division.

We Want Some 'Mo', We Want Some 'Mo'!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of weeks you know that the most anticipated three-year-old debut to hit the racing scene is years will finally be launched Saturday at Gulfstream Park in the Timely Writer Stakes. When Uncle Mo steps onto the track to contest the Timely Writer Stakes Saturday afternoon his every move will be watched, analyzed and scrutinized down to the smallest detail. After compiling one of the most impressive juvenile seasons in the last 25 years in 2010 the bar of expectation is set incredibly high for the young champion. The 1 mile Timely Writer Stakes is pretty much a custom made race for Uncle Mo’s debut and Gulfstream Park is expecting one of their largest crowds ever to attend a juvenile race and perhaps the largest since Spectacular Bid took to the track as a two-year-old in 1978.

The undefeated phenomenon will be an overwhelming favorite to win over a small group of very out-classed opponents. Madman Diaries will be the biggest threat to Uncle Mo if he isn’t scratched but even if he runs it should make little difference to the outcome. In the event that he doesn’t scratch Madman Diaries will most likely try to make a run of it from the beginning and contest the pace.

Rattlesnake Bridge was an impressive winner of his first and only start at Gulfstream Park on February 12th, winning a 6 furlong maiden special weight after in spite of running greenly.

Rocking Out, Schoolyard Cat and Gallant Dreams complete the field.

In my opinion Uncle Mo is simply above and beyond this group of colts and should win without breaking a sweat. There are only two planned starts for the Champion before he heads to the Kentucky Derby, the Timely Writer and Wood Memorial (gr.1) so a win in the Timely Writer is pretty essential. His works have been outstanding all year and workmate Stay Thirsty flattered his form by winning the Gotham Stakes last Saturday. If we see a performance up to par with his 2010 form he could end up winning by daylight. A loss for Uncle Mo, as unlikely as that seems, would go down as one of the biggest upsets in modern history.

In the end it all comes down to this; the vast majority of the racing public would love to see this colt become the superstar of our era and make Triple Crown history, and the first step on that long and difficult road will come in the Timely Writer. Perhaps the chanting of a football team in practice mode says it best: “We want some ‘MO’, we some ‘MO’”!

The Honeybee Stakes: Joyful Ramblings

Oaklawn Park will set the stage for the next step along the Kentucky Oaks trail this Saturday when it hosts the $125,000 Grade 3 Honeybee Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. A field of nine talented fillies has been entered in the 2011 renewal of the 1 1/16 mile race.

Leading the field is Grade 1 winner Rigoletta along with Grade 2 winner Dixie City and the graded stakes placed Joyful Victory.

Rigoletta broke her maiden in her second try last year before placing third in the Darley Debutante (gr.1) and winning the Grade 1 Oak Leaf Stakes in early October. She was forced to miss the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr.1) because of a popped splint. She made her 3-year-old debut in the La Habra Stakes (gr.3) on February 21^st at Santa Anita and finished an uninspiring 5^th in her first try on turf. Trainer Dan Hendricks stated that he does not think the filly is as good on the grass and feels she will run a much better race in the Honeybee. She won the Oaks Leaf at the same 1 1/16 mile distance as the Honeybee but has never started on a dirt surface. Her latest work, a 5 furlong bullet move completed in a time of :58.40, seems to indicate that she is ready to run a sharp race.

Dixie City will be making her first start since winning the Demoiselle Stakes (gr.2) by 3 ¼ lengths on November 27^th at Aqueduct. She won 3 of 5 starts in 2010 and has never finished worse than third. She has strung together three fantastic 4 furlongs works for trainer Tony Dutrow since mid-February, each better than the last. Her last move was a blistering :47.60 move that was even faster than her March 1^st :47.80 bullet move. Dutrow is confident in his filly’s abilities and especially likes how enthusiastically she has taken to her training since moving to Oaklawn.

Together trainer Larry Jones and wife Cindy Jones have won the last three runnings of the Honeybee Stakes and Jones likes his chances to keep that streak alive on Saturday. Jones has two fillies entered to run in the Honeybee but it will be Joyful Victory that will take the most action at the betting windows. Last year Joyful Victory race just three times, breaking her maiden at first asking and closing out her juvenile campaign with a third place finishes in Grade 1 race Frizette Stakes and a 5^th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. She enters the Honeybee off a bullet 5 furlong move that went in :58.80 at Oaklawn Park and if that isn’t enough to turn heads Larry Jones says that she reminds him of Eight Belles. [Read the complete post Here on Horse Race Nation Kentucky Oaks Runner]

WRRB: A Jam-Packed Weekend

So much happened over the weekend in the racing scene that I wasn’t quite sure where to start with my Thursday WRRB so I pretty much covered all the major races in short paragraphs with the exception of a few. This coming weekend looks to be just as jam-packed with elite racing as this past weekend was and every eye will be Uncle Mo to see if there is any dust resting on the champions shoulders as he makes his 3-year-old debut in the Timely Writer Stakes.

Twice Over is still on top of his game. On March 3^rd the two-time Emirates Airline Champion Stakes (Eng-1) winner took control with a furlong remaining and waltzed home to an easy 2 ¾ length lead in the $300,000 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 (UAE-2) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. The race is the biggest local prep for the Dubai World Cup on March 26^th and Twice Over looks to be a strong contender for the prized international race.

Mendip won his second consecutive graded stakes race in Dubai on March 3^rd when he just managed to get up in the final few strides before the wire and secure a nose victory in the $200,000 Burj Nahaar (UAE-3). The Harlan’s Holiday colt finished the 8 furlong race in a time of 1:36.77 over Meydan’s Tapeta surface.

The March 5^th Challenger Stakes was headlined by the return of last year’s Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer as well as Schoolyard Dreams but in the end it was up-and-coming Colizeo who stole the show. After stalking the pace set by Yummy with Butter Colizeo flew down the stretch to win by four lengths, setting a stakes record with a final time of 1:42.94 for the 1 1/16 miles. It was the fastest time in the 20 year history of the Tampa Bay Downs race.

The Owner-Trainer team of Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher just seems to get better and better and this weekend was huge for the duo. To kick things off Repole’s 4-year-old sprinter Calibrachoa won his fourth consecutive race and third consecutive stakes race when he blazed home the winner by 4 ½ lengths in the Tom Fool Handicap (gr.3) on March 5^th at Aqueduct.

A few hours after Calibrachoa’s impressive win Stay Thirsty drew off to win the Gotham Stakes (gr.3) by 3 ¼ lengths, giving Pletcher and Repole their second high-profile Kentucky Derby prospect.

Turbulent Descent and Zazu once again stole the show in the Santa Anita Oaks (gr.1) just like they did in last month’s Las Virgenes Stakes (gr.1) except that this time the finishing roles were reversed. Turbulent Descent held off a determined rally from Zazu to win the Santa Anita Oaks by a nose in a stakes record time of 1:41.05. She will not be pointing for the Kentucky Oaks as many expected but will instead be pointed for one turn races that do not exceed a distance of 1 1/16 miles.

The Frank E. Kilroe Mile (gr.1) on March 5^th produced one of the most exciting results of the weekend when second betting choice Fluke slipped through down at the rail and just barely outlasted a fantastic late run from Caracortado to win by a head. Caracortado ran a brilliant race from far back to work his way through traffic at the head of the stretch and chase down the leader.

Game on Dude and Chantal Sutherland made history in the Santa Anita Handicap on Saturday when they survived a 12 minute stewards inquiry to win by a nose over Setsuko. A series of dramatic bumping incidents in the homestretch involving race favorite Twirling Candy as well as Game On Dude and Setsuko made for some tense moments after the race as the fans and connections alike awaited the stewards decision. In the end Chantal Sutherland became the first female jockey in history to win the prestigious race.

[caption id="attachment_1199" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Misremembered - Benoit Photo"][/caption]

Bob Baffert’s most impressive winner of the weekend was easily Misremembered. The 5-year-old colt made a mockery of his Santana Mile Stakes competitors by winning the race with disdainful ease, finishing three lengths ahead of Kensei. He was geared down immediately after making the lead and still won by three lengths. He has the potential to be one of the best older horses of 2011.

Positive Response redeemed himself from his third place finish in the El Camino Real Derby (gr.3) on February 12^th when he ran away to a 7 length victory in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park on Sunday. This win most likely puts him back on the Kentucky Trail.

Dialed In had trouble finding a two-turn race to fit into his 2011 schedule but when he was finally entered in a 1 1/8 mile allowance race at Gulfstream Park it was as the heavy favorite. After mounting his rally a bit too late the talented 3-year-old colt finished a fast closing second to his 4-year-old stable mate Equestrio, falling half a length short at the wire. The Holy Bull Stakes (gr.3) winner ran a good race and while it was surprising that he lost he really didn’t’ need to win. Consider it a paid workout to tighten him up for the Florida Derby (gr.1).

[caption id="attachment_1200" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Uncle Mo - Joe DiOrio"][/caption]

Uncle Mo worked a half mile at Palm Meadows in :48 4/5 on Sunday in preparation for his 2011 debut this Saturday in the Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 12^th. Anticipation has been building for the last several weeks as the undefeated colt has continued to impress in his works leading up to his debut. If he is anything like the Uncle Mo of last year this will be nothing more than a $100,000 paid exhibition for the ultra-talented son of Indian Charlie.

This week has been littered with the announcements of mares in foal to tons of different high-profile stallions such as Blame, Quality Road, Discreetly Mine and Cool Coal Man. But it was Curlin and Rachel Alexandra who stole the big headlines when it was announced on Monday that 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra is in foal to dual-Horse of the Year Curlin.

Misremembered Dude

Chantal Sutherland had to wait 12 of the longest minutes of her riding career to officially make history on Saturday at Santa Anita Park as the first female jockey to win the Santa Anita Handicap (gr.1). In one of the most controversial and event-filled Big Caps ever run, Game On Dude survived a lengthy inquiry to register an extremely game win over Setsuko.

Heavy race favorite Twirling Candy rated off the pace set by First Dude and Aggie Engineer in the Big Cap as Game On Dude sat just behind the two frontrunners. Coming off the turn Game On Dude took the lead on the inside as Twirling Candy raced a half length behind with Setsuko to his outside. Into the stretch those three raced in tandem with Game On Dude holding a slight edge over Setsuko and Twirling Candy. Within moments the scene changed dramatically as Twirling Candy appeared to drift in slightly, making contact with Game On Dude. The sudden brush threw Game On Dude completely off balance and his hind end swerved sharply into Twirling Candy, pushing that one hard into Setsuko who swerved out and back in again causing yet more contact. Continuing steadfastly down the stretch Game On Dude held a narrow lead over Setsuko who moved over to race directly beside his opponent as Twirling Candy faded, eventually finishing 4^th. Approaching the wire Setsuko resolutely fought to gain control of the lead, finally managing to thrust his neck in front but incredibly Game On Dude came right back with just a few strides remaining to win by a nose.

That concluded one of the most controversial Santa Anita Handicap running’s in 74 renewals of the race. The euphoria of Chantal Sutherland’s historic win was sadly dampened somewhat when Game On Dude was met with a chorus of boos from dissatisfied fans around the winner’s circle.

Twirling Candy looked nothing like his old self in the Santa Anita Handicap. He was mounting a serious rally before the series of bumping and brushing incidents took him out of contention. Undoubtedly Twirling Candy received the worst of the homestretch incident as he got bounced around between Game On Dude and Setsuko. He will be back to fight another day and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him return to his dominant winning ways.

[caption id="attachment_1194" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Misremembered - Benoit Photo"][/caption]

Just one day after the Santa Anita Handicap’s action-packed running, the 2010 winner of the Santa Anita Handicap made a successful return to the races for trainer Bob Baffert when Misremembered won the Santana Mile Stakes by three lengths.

Making his first start since winning last years running of the Big Cap, Misremembered showed he is going to be a force to be reckoned with in this year’s older horse ranks.

Breaking quickly from the gate Misremembered dropped back to race in 4^th as Matto Mondo set the pace up front with Indian Firewater immediately behind and Kensei in third. The first quarter went in a swift :22.25 and the half in :45.11. Racing about six lengths off the rapid pace, Misremembered looked very comfortable under jockey Martin Garcia as the field flew down the backstretch. Around the far turn Misremembered began to gradually move up without any urging from Garcia. Coming four wide into the stretch the 5-year-old Candy Ride colt absolutely flew to the lead with effortless authority. With a shake of the reins he exploded to a three length lead and maintained that advantage down to the wire, ears pricked all the way home.

This was for me the easiest win I have seen by any runner this year since Twirling Candy took the Strub Stakes. If Misremembered was this sharp of a layoff of more than 11 months imagine what he’ll be able to do in his next start with a race under his belt.

Needless to say Bob Baffert had a huge weekend with the wins by Game On Dude and Misremembered.

Kentucky Oaks Update: The Novel Nine

Turbulent Descent may have set a new stakes record in the Santa Anita Oaks (gr.1) on Saturday but the talented 3-year-old Congrats filly has unfortunately been removed from consideration for the Kentucky Oaks on May 6^th. She will instead be pointed for one turn races throughout the year where trainer Mike Puype feels she will be less vulnerable. In the 1 1/16 mile Santa Anita Oaks Turbulent Descent was all out to hold off a fast-closing Zazu by a neck and while both fillies were absolutely flying at the end it was Zazu who caught the eye with her fleet-footed move. Unlike Turbulent Descent the nearly white filly has her sights set firmly on the Kentucky Oaks. Her blazingly fast move came up just short in the Santa Anita Oaks but a few strides past the wire she was already a length in front of Turbulent Descent and kept running out around the turn. She will appreciate stretching out to the 1 1/8 mile distance in the Kentucky Oaks just as much as Dancinginherdreams will. The two horses flying home late in the 137^th Kentucky Oaks this year could well turn out to be two striking grays.

Turbulent Descent may be off the Oaks trail but I think Mike Puype might be underestimating her distance abilities. She did run the fastest Santa Anita Oaks in history, breaking a 31 year old record and in a race only 1/16 of a mile shorter in distance. She employs a powerful run from well off the pace that would suit her well going farther.

 

In other Kentucky Oaks related news undefeated filly It’s Tricky could be headed for a potential showdown with Davona Dale(gr.2) winner R Heat Lightning in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Oaks on April 2^nd. After showing a new dimension when winning the Busher Stakes by 8 lengths on February 20^th trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has decided to test his talented charge in deeper waters. It’s Tricky will be facing a tough competitor in R Heat Lightning if the two fillies wind up facing each other in the Gulfstream Oaks but she might just be up to the challenge. [Read the rest of the article here on HRN and see the latest Kentucky Oaks Contenders rankings]

A Record Breaking Santa Anita Oaks

The Santa Anita Oaks (gr.1) was not just another 3-year-old filly race this year; it will go down as one of the best performances of the season. Billed as a two horse race between the competing queens of the West Coast that’s exactly what it came down to at the wire.

May Day Rose predictably took the lead as the field of five fillies broke from the gate, A Z Warrior in close pursuit as the undefeated Kilograeme took third. Those three ran a length clear of Turbulent Descent in fourth as Zazu took up the rear of the field, another length behind Turbulent Descent. May Day Rose rolled through an opening quarter mile in :23.31 and the half in :46.67 with the positions unchanged. Turbulent Descent edged up to be right behind Kilogaeme by the half mile point with a two length gap back to Zazu. As the field approached the far turn May Day Rose began to inch away from A Z Warrior as Turbulent Descent began to mount her rally. Zazu kicked it into gear a moment later and the match was set from there. Midway around the turn May Day Rose began to fall back as Turbulent Descent under a full head of steam overtook A Z Warrior in the midst of making a bid for the lead and swept to the front. Zazu was still two lengths back, matching Turbulent Descent stride for stride. As the field came off the turn it was Turbulent Descent the one to catch. Down the homestretch Turbulent Descent exploded to a two length lead over A Z Warrior at the urging of jockey David Flores, blazing ahead with determination. The scene changed in a matter of seconds as Zazu found her best stride and began to gain ground with a tremendous rally. Turbulent Descent continued to accelerate down the stretch as Zazu reached her flank, then surged to within half a length of the lead. [Read the entire post here on Horse Racing Nation]

WRRB: Fountain of Youth and Hutcheson

It’s another week gone by again and I’m once again late in posting. Whoever said it was fashionable to be late obviously wasn’t a writer!

For the sake of time in the future I will just cover a maximum of five stories from the past week in my Thursday WRRB’s, that way I can actually keep up with them and hopefully post on time also.

Let’s start with the Fountain of Youth Stakes. Soldat went almost start to finish on a speed favoring track to lead To Honor and Serve into the homestretch with a comfortable lead. At the finish it was Soldat winning by two lengths over Gourmet Dinner who ran a good race to finish second. Gourmet Dinner finished more than 4 lengths ahead of To Honor And Serve after making a sustained four-wide rally from off the pace. To Honor And Serve looked nothing like his old self after chasing Soldat and El Grayling down the backside, failing to mount a serious rally of any kind.

To Honor And Serve didn’t just lose the race by coming in third, 6 ¾ lengths behind the winner, he lost the confidence of many fans as well. With only one start remaining on his schedule between now and the Kentucky Derby the colt will have to improve in a huge way to make the Kentucky Derby grade.

Soldat is now the only 3-year-old colt of the year with two big wins to his credit and while his Fountain of Youth performance was certainly not enough to make him the leading Kentucky Derby contender he has proven his worth and shown he likes a dry track.

[caption id="attachment_1183" align="alignleft" width="298" caption="Flashpoint - Coglianese Photos "][/caption]

Flashpoint is the newest star on the block but he’s not exactly inciting Derby fever yet. Making just the second start of his young career, Flashpoint waltzed to a simply fantastic 7 ¼ length win in the 7 furlong Hutcheson Stakes (gr.2) at Gulfstream Park Saturday over a solid field of 3-year-olds. Sitting just off the pace set by race favorite Travelin Man, those two blazed through the first quarter mile in :22.16 and the half in :44.53. Into the stretch the two colts were nearly inseparable, but within seconds Flashpoint began to edge away, crossing the wire in a fabulous final time of 1:22.03.

The question now is whether or not this son of Pomeroy can successfully stretch out in distance or if he is instead a truly brilliant up-and-coming sprinter. I tend to think it’s the later.

This coming weekend of racing promises to be filled with some incredible action, Stay Thirsty will finally be making his 2011 debut just one week before the highly anticipated return of Uncle Mo, as well as a rematch between leading sophomore fillies Zazu and Turbulent Descent in the Santa Anita Oaks. [Check out my article on the Santa Anita Oaks here on Horse Racing Nation]

Lightning Strikes in the Davona Dale

I apologize for my "blogging absence" the last few days. I have been having major internet problems for the last few days that haven't allowed me to get on the web and do my usual research and postings.

Here is the latest Kentucky Oaks Runner post from Horse Racing Nation, check out the new Novel Nine and share your thoughts:

The Davona Dale Stakes was supposed to be a celebration of Dancinginherdreams but as it turned out Todd Pletcher brought in one of his fillies to crash the party.
In the Forward Gal Stakes (gr.2) R Heat Lightning finished a dull fourth behind Pomeroy’s Pistol and Dancinginherdreams as one of the favorites. In the Davona Dale Stakes she turned things around in a big way.
Breaking cleanly from the gate R Heat Lightning with John Velasquez up rated just off the pacesetter and to the inside of Dancinginherdreams down the backstretch in the 1 mile test. On the front end Forward Gal winner Pomeroy’s Pistol pressed Hot Summer from second through fractions of :23.92 and :46.53. [Read the rest here on Horse Racing Nation]