Trainer Mike Harrington discusses some possible chess moves with his two
top Kentucky Derby Contenders.
After Sunday’s San Vicente (G2), Creative Cause is likely to ship to
Arkansas for the Rebel (G2) in order to stay away from Empire Way and his quest
to accumulate Graded Earnings in the San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita. First things first however, Harrington
is hoping Creative Cause shows some progression from his juvenile campaign in
the San Vicente. He reiterated
that the horse does not necessarily have to win, especially considering he has
enough in Graded Earnings for the Derby// With possibly 21 interests in the
Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn, it’s not surprising that workouts have
occurred all throughout the week, even on the Friday before Monday’s race. Longview Drive, 3rd in both
the Sham (G3) and Delta Jackpot (G3), lit up the track with a 4-furlong move in
48:20. Najjaar also worked at
Oaklawn in what appears on paper to be a good move, but trainer Danny Peitz
decided he’ll skip the Southwest and look for a longer race seeing as the son
of Jazil likes to drop far back in the early going. Apprehender, a quick maiden winner at Oaklawn who earned a
98 Beyer speed figure, could be on the outside looking in if the Southwest does
not split into two divisions. He
sits towards the bottom of contender earnings and will have to await the draw
Saturday. If he does race, it will be without blinkers, which he wore in his
debut// Further south and east, Sam F. Davis (G3) winner Battle Hardened worked
a modest 4-panels at Palm Meadows.
He is still likely for the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on March 10// Some good
fact-finding by Dick Downey reveals Irish trainer Aiden O’Brien is unlikely to
point Wrote, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and #4 on the
Graded Earnings list, to the Kentucky Derby// Yet another impressive maiden
winner made himself known Thursday.
Sir Bond dominated in his fourth career start at the Fair Grounds, where
he covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1.45:12 to earn a 91 Beyer figure. Trainer Neil Howard said he would
like to move ahead slowly with the colt and look for an allowance for his next
race.
For complete coverage on Saturday’s El Camino Real Derby and Sunday’s
San Vicente check out the race page
here
Articles
CA Derby and Oaks Champs vie
in El Camino Real Derby (Iron Maidens Thoroughbred Blog)
Kentucky
Derby hopefuls get Bay Area showcase (The Sacramento Bee)
Carava
says American Act is improving (The Downey Profile)
Najjaar
declared out of Southwest (The Downey Profile)
Southwest
could be split into two divisions (Bloodhorse)
Baffert
back in the mix (Bloodhorse Blog)
Gotham
shaping up strong (DRF)
Battle
Hardened breezes at Palm Meadows (Bloodhorse)
Write
him off [Wrote] (The Downey Profile)
Kentucky
Derby bubble at $120,000 (The Brock Talk Blog)
The
long and winding road (Courier Journal Hansen Blog)
Road
to the Derby- El Camino and San Vicente (Courier Journal)
Videos
Interview
with Michael Matz on Union Rags (Gulfstream Park)
Derby Watch 2/17 (DRF)
Picks
The Commish’s
picks- San Vicente (The Downey Profile)
Works
Battle Hardened-
PMM- 4F- 49:80- B- 11/14
Howe Great- PMM- 5F- 1.06:05- B- 10/11
Longview Drive-
OP- 4F- 48:20- B- 2/57
Najjaar- OP- 5F- 1.01:60- B- 2/58
Exfactor FG- 4F- 50:00- B- 33/64
Notes
and bits from web and Twitter:
“Dullahan is back on the track at GP after
fighting a cough that effected many on the backside ~ caught the eye jogging
this AM - he grew up!”- Grade1Racing via Twitter
“John Shirreffs told me last night that he
is serious considering the San Felipe for Blingo...John seems to have a lot of
confidence in him”- Larry Zapeye via Twitter
“Ken McPeek told us
that Atigun will likely scratch from the Southwest; has a foot issue. 90% out
this AM, but we'll see how it develops”- TVGResearch via Twitter
