As the dust settles from a recent string of Kentucky Derby prep races - four
in just three days - writers, handicappers, and fans are observing the trips of
the also-rans, looking for a silver lining and clues as to which horses could
improve next time out. Adirondack
King, 3rd place in the second division of the Southwest (G3), fits
the bill of a sneaky good performer or possible future “wise guy” horse. Jockey Stewart Elliott claimed he had
nowhere to run in the far turn and was forced to sit and wait in second-to-last
place. Once Adirondack King got
through the turn he was able to make a fast closing move for 3rd,
although still 6 lengths behind the winner Secret Circle due to the short
stretch. Trainer John Servis will
point the son of Lawyer Ron to the Rebel (G2). Also pointing for the Rebel will be 2nd place
Scatman, who set the pace in the Southwest and gave Secret Circle all he could
handle in the stretch. Bob Baffert
said he’ll also send a horse or two to the Rebel, but which one from his long list
of Derby contenders will not be revealed anytime soon// Beyer Speed figures
came back for the Southwest.
Secret Circle bested his stablemate Castaway by a 10 point margin (102
to 92)// Wynn Las Vegas published updated future odds just after the Southwest. Castaway dropped to 35-1 and Secret
Circle to 22-1// Trainer Larry Jones commented that both of his charges in the
Risen Star (G2), Mr. Bowling and Mark Valeski, will hopefully sit just off the
pacesetters Saturday at the Fairgrounds// Buzz is building for Sunday’s Fountain
of Youth (G2), which will feature arguably the top two Derby contenders in
Union Rags and Algorithms. Some
nice humble quotes from Algorithms owner Jack Wolf who admits his horse
benefitted from Hansen’s bad break and Consortium not taking to the track in
the Holy Bull (G3). Michael Matz
is very pleased with Union Rags’s physical and mental growth, but reveals the
screws will not be fully tightened Sunday because the colt already has enough
Graded Earnings for the Derby// Some updates on Steve Asmussen contenders Z
Dager, Sabercat, and Daddy Nose Best from the Bloodhorse// Steve Haskin has a
new Derby Dozen, yet still has recent San Vicente (G2) 3rd place
finisher Creative Cause at #1.
Reading the description, I’m not sure Steve even agrees with himself//
more…
Articles
Algorithms:
Formula for success (Courier Journal)
Algorithms
vs. Union Rags in 3YO showdown (Bloodhorse)
High
energy Drill stood out as a yearling (Bloodhorse)
Three
of a kind [Steve Asmussen contenders] (Blooodhorse Blog)
Looking
back at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (DRF Blog)
An
early look at the Kentucky Derby picture (Sports Nola)
23
races and we’ll make a big fuss (TwinSpires)
Tailgate-Illinois
Derby and Hawthorne thinking blue (Hansen Blog via Courier Journal)
Futures
Rankings
Haskin’s
Derby Dozen 2/21 [with video] (Bloodhorse)
TTimes
Triple Crown poll (TTimes)
Works
Ever So Lucky- GP-5F-
1.00:65- H- 7/11
Big Screen GP- 5F- 59:60-
H- 2/11
Optimizer- OP- 3F- 36:20-
B- 1/2
Rousing Sermon- HOL- 5F-
1.01:80- H- 5/8
Stoney Fleece- HOL- 5F-
1.02:80- H- 7/8
Weekly Speed Figures 2/13-2/19*
Top 3yo winning BRIS figs last week: Drill-104; Daddy Nose Best-101; Sir Bond-100; Bling King-99; Scatter Joy-97; Points Offthebench-96
Top 3yo winning BRIS figs last week: Drill-104; Daddy Nose Best-101; Sir Bond-100; Bling King-99; Scatter Joy-97; Points Offthebench-96
3yo winning Beyers last week: Drill-94; Daddy Nose Best-92; Sir Bond-91;
Bling King-85; Scatter Joy-85; Points Offthebench-87
*Source: DerbyContenders via Twitter
