Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reveals Holly Bull entrant Consortium bled a
bit in his last race, a 2nd place finish behind another Holy Bull
starter Algorithms. He’ll try
Lasix for the first time Sunday, which could spark some improvement// Handicapper
picks are rolling in for the Holy Bull. It looks like many believe Hansen
should win, but will try to beat him in their wagers with Algorithms on top// Reveron
is still on target for the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. Trainer
Augustin Bezara, who hails from Venezuela and does not speak English, said
through an interpreter that the colt is doing well in morning jogs and gallops. In a style a bit unorthodox from North
American trainers, he does not often send his horses on official works between
races// Apprehender, a dominating debut winner Thursday at Oaklawn, will start
next in the Southwest (G3). He
earned a high Beyer of 97 for his 5.5 furlong maiden score. Looking at his
sire, Posse, you could guess he might not like a stretch-out, but his dam was a
Grade 1 winner at 9 furlongs. A horse by the awful name of Pee H Dee is also
possible for the Southwest, as long as an allowance in early February doesn’t
fill as expected. His stablemate
Ring It Up will point for an allowance with longer-term hopes of going to the
Rebel (G2) on March 17// The lineup for the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct is
a little more clear. In addition
to highly touted Alpha, the field could swell to nine with Hakama, King Kid,
Phil Dancer, Speightscity, Swag Daddy, Tiger Walk, How Do I Win, and Longview
Drive. The latter two are only questionable. Presumed favorite Alpha will have several more gate
schooling sessions based on his issues in prior races// Last year it seemed Bob
Baffert was focused on splitting his Kentucky Derby contenders between
California, Arkansas, and New York, but it looks like he could have two top
prospects in this year’s Robert Lewis (G2) at Santa Anita. Liaison, winner of the CashCall
Futurity (G1) and Sky Kingdom, a troubled fifth in the same race are pointed
for the 9-furlong contest next week.
The latter also earned a bullet from his 5-furlong work Friday, when he
went 58:40, which was best of 67 other workers. He and Liaison will most likely
confront Empire Way, Rousing Sermon, and I’ll Have Another in the Robert Lewis.
Holy Bull S. (G3)- race
page with pps, race videos, articles and more here
Articles
McLaughlin
looks for Consortium to improve (The Downey Profile)
Apprehender
out to capture Southwest after flashy debut [and info on Reckless Jerry]
(Oaklawn Park Barn Notes)
Kentucky Derby
contenders are getting harder to predict (Los Angeles Daily News)
Holy
Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park could shape Kentucky Derby [video] (The Wall
Street Journal)
Hansen
will start 2012 Kentucky Derby journey in Holy Bull (Graded Stakes Blog)
Despite
training trends, Holy Bull remains important step on Kentucky Derby Trail
(The Brock Talk Blog)
Holy Bull Picks: Thorofan
Blog / Dick Downey
Works
Stat- PMM- 5F- 1.02:41- B- 4/8
Isn't He Clever- SUN- 5F- 1.00:80-
H- 1/9
Sky Kingdom- SA- 5F- 58:40-
H- 1/67
Notes
and bits from web and Twitter:
Southwest just got
verrrry interesting. Apprehender got a 97 Beyer speed figure in his debut
yesterday- Rolly Hoyt via Twitter
