Like it or
not, the quirky Delta Downs Jackpot (G3) plays a part in determining the
following year’s Kentucky Derby field. Sabercat, the winner of Saturday’s million
dollar contest, is guaranteed a spot in the gate. Second-place runner Basmati has a very good shot as well
seeing as he cashed in $200K in graded earnings// Three graded races this week
in Hollywood, New York, and Louisville.
Links to pps, past race videos, and articles can be found on the upcoming page here. Interesting that
Hollywood Prevue (G3) entrant Empire Way is down to 60-1 odds in the latest Kentucky Derby Wynn Las
Vegas Future Book. Seeing as he only has a
decent maiden win to his credit, being a full brother to Breeders’ Cup winner
Royal Delta is a major factor in the backing// Majestic City will rest a little
before returning to synthetic in the Cashcall Futurity (G1). Lucky Chappy, another colt who tried
the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last time out, will also try the Futurity//
Three-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer Nick Zito is getting the fever early
again with promising maiden winner Casual Trick. Although the winning Beyer
speed figure was low, plenty of colts have won first time out with a low 60
Beyer and steadily improved towards May…
Graded Stakes Review:
Delta
Downs Jackpot (G3)
Jockey: Gerard Melancon
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Beyer/BRIS: NA/86
Sabercat Notes:
-The manner the race unfolded, the final time, and the low speed figures
are not really worthy of a “Notable Performer” tag. Nonetheless, winning a million dollar graded race and being
assured a spot in the Kentucky Derby gate by November are reason enough to put
on the list.
-Will ship to Santa Anita for a likely west-coast campaign
-Half brother to a stakes winner out of a dam who was a half sister to a
graded stakes winner
Other Delta Jackpot Notes:
-Hard to tell exactly what Drill’s issue is—blinkers, running style,
dirt—but whatever it is he’s a mess right now
-2nd Place finisher Basmati holds his own in every contest,
but has a difficult time winning
Notable Performer:
How Do I Win
11/18/11 Aqueduct Starter Allowance
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Beyer/BRIS: 78/91
Notes:
-An eye-popping 19-length winner last time out, How Do I Win proved that
effort was not a fluke due to a sealed track
-Repole/Pletcher connections
-Sire Corinthian won up to 8.5 furlongs, but excelled at 8 furlongs.
-Dam is half sister to multiple graded stakes winner Powerful Punch (up
to 9 furlongs)
Non-Graded Stakes:
Works:
11/17/11 Majestic City HOL- 4F- 49:00- H- 12/19
11/17/11 Secret Circle
SA- 5F- 1.01:20-
H- 24/38
11/18/11 Friscan
FH- 5F-
49:00- B- 1/14
11/18/11 Canigotoo
RP- 5F-
1.00:28- B- 2/36
11/18/11 Sweet Swap
SA- 6F- 1.12:80-
H- 1/9
11/19/11 Twelve Hundred
HAW- 5F-
1.02:40- B- 1/24
11/19/11 Hierro CD- 4F- 51:80- B- 84/91
11/19/11 Exfactor
CD- 4F- 48:80-
B- 14/91
11/19/11 Optimizer CD- 5F- 1.00:80- B- 4/50
11/20/11 Brown Eyed Jozi
CD- 5F- 1.00:40-
B- 2/32 (Good)
11/20/11 Seeker CD- 5F- 1.02:00- B- 18/32 (Good)
Articles:
Late-year juvenile races
worth your attention (Saratogian)
Top 2 in Juvenile stakes
preparing for Gulfstream (Miami Herald)
Looking back at Hansen’s
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Courier Journal Blog)
Kentucky Derby musings
with my friend Captain Obvious (The Brock Talk)
Pena eyes Kentucky Derby
for classic winner Fly Lexis Fly (Thoroughbred Times)
Futures:
Speed Figures:
Top 2yo winning BRIS figs last
week: Lucky Culprit - 96; Costas Fiftieth - 94; Ted's Folly - 93; He Can Run -
91; How Do I Win - 91
2yo winning Beyers last week:
Lucky Culprit - 87; Costas Fiftieth - 81; Ted's Folly - 74; He Can Run - 75;
How Do I Win – 78
Notes and bits from Twitter:
Graham Motion on ATR: Team Valor's
LUCKY CHAPPY-IRE, 4th in BC Juvy Turf, will contest $750k G1 CashCall Futurity
(HOL; 12/17)- Steve Byk
