Chasing The Derby: Apprehender

Showing posts with label Apprehender. Show all posts

Creative Cause & Empire Way to stay separated// Longview Drive ready for Southwest// No rushing Sir Bond

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, 3^rd 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)

San Vicente merely a starting point for Creative Cause (DRF)

West Coast’s Creative Cause begins march towards Kentucky Derby on Sunday (LA Daily News)

Creative Cause set for launch in San Vicente (TTimes)

Carava says American Act is improving (The Downey Profile)

Longview Drive sharpens for crowded Southwest (DRF)

Najjaar declared out of Southwest (The Downey Profile)

Southwest could be split into two divisions (Bloodhorse)

Sir Bond impresses with maiden win (DRF)

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)

Castellano made the right call (ESPN)

Kentucky Derby bubble at $120,000 (The Brock Talk Blog)

The long and winding road (Courier Journal Hansen Blog)

Hovdey: Colorless ruling lacks common sense (DRF)

Road to the Derby- El Camino and San Vicente (Courier Journal)

Countdown to the Crown 2/17 (DRF)

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

Thunder Moccasin wins Hutcheson easily, stretch-out unlikely// Hansen dodges competition// Baffert has another contender in Bodemeister

Sent off at odds of 1-5, Thunder Moccasin easily dispatched pacesetter Il Villano in the far turn to cruise to a 6 3/4 length victory in the Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Todd Pletcher threw a wet blanket over any hopes of Thunder Moccasin pointing for the Kentucky Derby when he reiterated his feelings the son of A.P. Warrior is best suited to one-turn races. Despite his pedigree suggesting he could go further, Pletcher thinks his temperament and running style shout sprinter. Many were anticipating the return of Ever So Lucky, but he was scratched by trainer Jonathan Sheppard due to wet track conditions and the trainer still feeling uneasy about his recent preparation. He’ll probably wait for the Swale (G2), which really puts him behind schedule for making it to the Kentucky Derby//

Bodemeister, Bob Baffert, and Rafael Bejarano

Results

Hutcheson (G2)

Winner: Thunder Moccasin

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Johnny Velazquez

Chart: Equibase chart

Replay Video: YouTube

Wrap-up articles: Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet

Sweet Envoy S.

Winner: Pretension

Trainer: Christopher Grove

Jockey: Javier Santiago

Chart: Equibase chart

Video Replay: Bloodhorse Replay

Wrap-up articles: DRF

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool #1

Live Odds

Articles

Hansen to Gotham; Alpha will train in Florida for Wood (Brisnet)

Sheppard scratches Ever So Lucky from Hutcheson (DRF)

Bodemeister sizzles, Street Life flies late (Zipse At The Track Blog)

Apprender, No Spin work toward Southwest (Brisnet)

I’ll Have Another doing well (The Downey Profile)

State horses prep for Derby (Tulsa World)

Works

Friscan- FH- 4F- 49:80- B- 1/8

Ted's Folly FG- 5F- 1.03:60- B- 36/45

Apprender- OP- 4F- 51:00- B- 41/56

No Spin- OP- 5F- 1.01:80- B- 2/29

Hansen’s connections announced the colt will ship to New York for the Gotham (G3) instead of staying in Florida for the Fountain of Youth (G2). The decision not only denies a rematch between Hansen and Union Rags, but also avoids facing Algorithms in the near future. The pace scenario changes for the Fountain of Youth making it a little easier for Discreet Dancer// Apprehender and No Spin worked for the Southwest (G3). John Servis of Smarty Jones fame is bringing a Southwest contender from Florida named Adirondack King//

As of 10pm Saturday, Union Rags is the individual favorite at 7-1 in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool #1, with “all others” still favored at 6-5. Wagering ends at 6pm EST Sunday//

The Hutcheson was not the only race Kentucky Derby followers were watching Saturday. Race 3 at Gulfstream was a competitive optional claimer that featured several horses with connections hoping to advance on the Derby Trail. Not surprisingly, it was won by Todd Pletcher-trained Spring Hill Farm. The victory gave Pletcher his 3,000 career win and the feat somewhat overshadowed Spring Hill Farm’s big win. No news yet on what’s next for him// Bob Baffert looks to have yet another Derby hopeful in Bodemeister who dominated his second maiden try at Santa Anita Saturday. The son of Empire Maker covered the mile distance in just a second off the track record with a wining margin of 9 1/4 lengths. See the video below for reaction from Bob Baffert and Rafael Bejarano:

El Camino Real to get 5// More next race plans from Pletcher// Kentucky Derby Future Odds updated

A small field of just five is expected for the El Camino Real Derby (G3) February 18^th. Kentucky Derby winning trainer Graham Motion will most likely ship graded stakes-placed Lucky Chappy who has only raced on turf in previous tries. The other four probable runners are Russian Greek, Rockinarz Recruit, Unveiled Heat, and Cahill Chrome// Dale Romans revealed Grade 1 winner Dullahan has been absent from the work tab due to a cough. Luckily he already has $375,000 in graded earnings, so there is no rush to squeeze him into a race. The Palm Beach (G3) on turf and then Bluegrass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland is still the tentative plan// While the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn is expected to draw some familiar entries from the Smarty Jones Stakes held in mid-January, there will also be some intriguing additions. Not only could Bob Baffert ship Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint winner Secret Circle, but several impressive Oaklawn-based maiden and allowance winners could join the fun too. Cyber Secret (who was mistakenly left off the list of early Triple Crown nominations), Apprehender, and Pee H Dee are expected to push the field to at least eight deep// Even more next race plans were announced for Todd Pletcher contenders, albeit mostly from his B-team. Dan and Sheila, 4^th in the Lecomte (G3) last out, will head to New York for the Gotham (G3) along with recent maiden breaker Raconteur. Big Blue Nation will step down to an allowance before being considered for another stakes. Pletcher is not giving up on Our Entourage who will be moved to turf in his next start, and the trainer also just attained Declaration of War from Coolmore who will get a try on the trail as well. Gemologist wouldn’t be considered a B-team player based on his KY Jockey Club (G2) win at Churchill Downs in November. He’s tentatively scheduled to take a two prep schedule similar to 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver that starts off in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) or Rebel (G2)// I’ve listed some recent speed figures from Kentucky Derby preps over the last few days, but a particular maiden winner at the Fairgrounds Friday went unnoticed. Bourbon Courage earned a whopping 103 Beyer speed figure in his debut, which is the second highest in his class. The son of Lion Heart went off at 15-1 odds and flew home with a final time just over a tick off the track record for 6-furlongs. No news yet on where he’ll end up next// The latest Kentucky Derby futures from Wynn Las Vegas were released late Monday. Alpha, winner of the Withers Saturday, jumped all the way to 11-1, just behind 10-1 co-favorites Union Rags and Algorithms. Other interesting changes were Sam Davis winner Battle Hardened at 30-1 (from 125-1) and Robert Lewis victor I’ll Have Another 65-1 (from 200-1)// Paul Moran comes down hard on owner Dr. Hansen’s decision to color the mane and tale of his horse- likening the visual to a carousel horse among other things…

Articles

Russian Greek among 5 probables for El Camino Real (DRF)

Colt [Cyber Secret] added to Triple Crown nominations list (Bloodhorse)

Big Beyer propels Cyber Secret to Southwest (DRF)

Romans not pressing Dullahan (DRF)

Creative Cause will take on Drill and Secret Circle in his seasonal debut (Bettor.com)

Ho-hum, Pletcher loaded again (Bloodhorse Blog)

Todd Pletcher’s plethora of Kentucky Derby contenders (Louisville.com)

Triple Crown: O’Brien pair among the entries (Betting.Betfair)

2012 Kentucky Derby analysis: The Withers Stakes (G3) (Bleacher Report)

Kentucky Derby future wager pool 1 set to open Friday (DRF)

Alpha lives up to his name (The Derby Post)