Half-dozen for Holy Bull// Undercard allowance comes up tough// Basmati yet another off trail// Liaison fires 2nd consecutive bullet

Hansen is the favorite in Sunday's Holy Bull.  Photo: Horsephotos.com

As expected, a compact group of entries were drawn for Sunday’s Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.  2-year-old champion Hansen leads the cast as the favorite at 6-5 odds. He could get some early pressure from Silver Max , who was a somewhat unexpected addition to the field.  If those two engage in a duel, promising and undefeated Algorithms could pounce.  The field rounds out to six with My Adonis, who could also vie for the early lead; restricted stakes winner Fort Loudon; and Consortium, 2^nd last time out against Algorithms.  The Holy Bull race page which includes free PPs, links to articles, and race replays can be viewed here// Hansen took to the Gulfstream track Thursday morning, later than his usual pre-dawn time.  Apparently he had a spirited 2 mile gallop and some gate training. Union Rags also had an “intense jog” at Palm Meadows according to Bruno De Julio, who also indicated the colt was noticeably perspiring as usual// The Holy Bull will not be the only race Derby watchers take note of Sunday at Gulfstream. The 7^th race will undoubtedly produce at least one horse whose connections will move onto graded company with hopes of pointing to Kentucky down the road.  El Padrino was supposed to start in last weekend’s LeComte (G3) before suffering a minor setback.  Take Charge Indy, 5^th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Casual Trick, 2^nd behind Holy Bull entrant Algorithms in his last race, both have trainers who believe their horses are serious prospects// In a trend that will hopefully end Friday, another contender was ruled off the Kentucky Derby trail, making it three contenders in three days.  Basmati recently underwent ankle surgery and will miss the Triple Crown series, however he is expected to make a full recovery// Ever So Lucky, 2^nd in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs in November, has settled in at Gulfstream.  He will most likely work Sunday and aim for the 7-furlong Hutcheson (G2)// DRF has an interview with trainer Kiaran McLaughlin who seems confident with his prospects Alpha and Consortium// CashCall Futurity winner Liaison posted a bullet workout for the second consecutive week at Santa Anita// more…

Entries

-Holy Bull S. (G3)- race page with pps, race videos, articles and more here

-Gulfstream Park- Race 7- AOC- $53,500- entries

Articles

Holy Bull Preview articles: Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet / TTimes / Miami Herald

Allowance draws intriguing cast of 3-year-olds (DRF)

Ever So Lucky arrives at Gulfstream Park (DRF)

UAE Derby draws 136 nominations (The Downey Profile)

Q&A with Kiaran McLaughlin (DRF)

New Hansen Blog (Courier Journal)

Wynn Las Vegas opens future bet on Rachel Alexandra foal (TTimes)

Works:

Sir Bond- FG- 5F- 1.02:80- B- 2/2 (Sloppy)

Team Six- FH- 5F- 1.01:00- B- 1/8

Souper Speedy- PMM- 3F- 37:23- B- 2/5

Empire Way- HOL- 6F- 1.14:80- H- 5/10

Liaison SA- 6F- 1.11:80- H- 1/18

Night Tide- SA- 5F- 1.00:20- H- 15/40

Longview Drive- SA- 6F- 1.13:20- H- 4/18

Notes and bits from web and Twitter:

Delta Jackpot runner-up Basmati of TC trail after ankle surgery. Trainer O'Neill tells me prognosis 'great for 100% full recovery- Jennie Rees via Twitter

Ever So Lucky, following a 12-hour van ride from South Carolina, gallops a mile at Gulfstream Friday- DRFGrening via Twitter

Nice to see Hopeful winner Currency Swap back at track w Terri Pompay- DRFGrening via Twitter

3yo maidens to watch in Sat. 2nd at GP going 7 1/2f -- Zito firster Stereo in Moton and Pletcher pair Colony Strike and Mordi's Miracle- Steve Haskin via Twitter

Also Dale Romans' Quick Wit coming off a second to the highly regarded Spring Hill Farm.Rick Violette's Term Loan big favorite at Aqueduct- Steve Haskin via Twitter

Union Rags in jog out of Tuesday work. Very intense animal wet under saddle, kidney and shoulder sweat it's who he is plus traffic on track- Bruno De Julio via Twitter

Week In Review & Notable Performers 11/29-12/5

The earlier-than-usual start to the Gulfstream meet started off with a bang, where buzz horse Discreet Dancer set a new track record and Ancient Rome captured the Spectacular Bid Stakes by a whisker// The American Graded Stakes Committee’s latest upgrade/downgrade decisions won’t have much impact on the Derby trail.  While the Hopeful at Saratoga was downgraded to G2 status, it still remains graded, which is all that matters in the earnings chase.  All other 2-year-old and 3-year old graded events held their grade with no new additions.  There is the complex matter of 2012 graded events for 2-year-olds losing their grade if any of the entries are allowed to run on medication on race days.  Whether that will actually be enforced remains to be seen// Although it’s extremely early, Calvin Borel seems to already be in a better spot on the Derby Trail than last year.  Instead of begging for a last minute mount, he may have to choose between three strong colts.  Timely Tally, Motor City, and Brown Eyed Jozi have all been impressive in the Fall// Glad to see Algorithms returning to a steady workout routine.  Of all the promising Pletcher juveniles, he possesses one of the better pedigrees for truly stretching out// The rich CashCall Futurity (G1) is the next scheduled graded contest, where Baffert could have as many as four starters.  His headliner, Secret Circle, will have to navigate around two turns for the first time in his career// Union Rags still takes favoritism in the latest Wynn Las Vegas Future Wager at 10-1.  Some enticing prices include Il Vilano (175-1), Algorithms (150-1), Brown Eyed Jozi (300-1), and Basmati (100-1).

Notable Performer:

Discreet Dancer

12/3/11 Gulfstream Maiden Special Weight

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Chart: Equibase

Video: YouTube

Beyer/BRIS: 100/99

Articles: TTimes / Bloodhorse

Notes and Thoughts:

-Track record time of 1:02.34 in 5.5 furlongs

-Third juvenile colt to earn triple-digit Beyer in 2011

-As exciting and flashy as his debut was, his running style and immediate pedigree don’t shout Derby contender.

-Mile was best distance for sire Discreet Cat

-Half brother to Travelin Man, a winner at 7 furlongs

-Hard to judge competition in a maiden special, but 2^nd place horse finished 6^th in a maiden claiming last out and the others don’t appear promising

Ancient Rome

12/3/11 Gulfstream Park Spectacular Bid Stakes

Jockey: Joe Rocco

Trainer: Anthony Dutrow

Chart: Equibase Chart

Video: YouTube

Beyer/BRIS: 92/97

Articles: DRF / Brisnet

News and Thoughts:

-Good stalking tactic on backstretch and nice acceleration when in engaged by For Oby in the stretch

-$35K Keeneland yearling purchase, who didn’t meet his $62,000 reserve as a 2-year-old. Catalog page can be viewed here

-Son of Roman Ruler, a grade 1 winner at 9 furlongs and sire of Belmont winner Ruler On Ice

-Out of a stakes winning mare at 6 furlongs

-For Oby lost by just a whisker, but pedigree doesn’t suggest he should stretch out.

Non-Graded Stakes:

12/3/11 Spectacular Bid S.- GP- Winner: Ancient Rome (more above)

12/4/11 Damon Runyon S.- AQU- Winner: Swag Daddy chart

12/4/11 New Mexico Eddy County S.- ZIA- Winner: E Bar Way chart

Works:

11/26/11 Vexor- GOLDMARK- 48:40- B- 1/5

12/3/11 Twelve Hundred HAW- 5F- 1.03:40- B- 8/14

12/3/11 Prospective OTC- 5F- 1.01:60- B- 3/7

12/3/11 Secret Circle HOL- 6F- 1.12:40- H- 2/12

12/3/11 Shkspeare Shaliyah BEL- 4F- 54:07- B- 33/33

12/3/11 Burning Time CRC- 5F- 1.02:60- B- 9/23

12/3/11 Jack's in the Deck LRL- 4F- 48:60- H- 8/58

12/3/11 Alpha PMM- 3F- 39:04- B- 21/21

12/3/11 Thursby PMM- 3F- 36:98- B- 4/21

12/4/11 Brother Francis SA- 5F- 1.00:80- H- 37/87

12/4/11 Empire Way HOL-5F- 1.00:40- H- 9/46

12/4/11 Hierro SA- 4F- 51:00- H- 45/50

12/4/11 Algorithms PMM- 5F- 1.00:14- B- 1/19

12/5/11 Finale PMM- 4F- 48:72- B- 8/14

12/5/11 Casual Trick PMM- 4F- 47:00- B- 1/23

12/5/11 Sabercat FG- 5F- 1.01:80- B- 4/15

12/5/11 Rousing Sermon HOL- 6F- 1.13:00- H- 3/6

12/5/11 Night Tide SA- 3F- 37:60- H- 4/7

12/5/11 Stoney Fleece SA- 4F- 48:60- H- 13/31

12/5/11 Drill SA- 4F- 47:00- H- 9/51

12/5/11 Sweet Swap SA- 4F- 46:40- H- 2/51

12/5/11 So Brilliant SA- 5F- 1.00:80- H- 21/52

12/5/11 Seeker RP- 4F- 49:47- B- 3/9

12/6/11 Speightscity BEL- 4F- 49:54- B- 2/11

Articles:

Union Rags’ handlers set agenda before Kentucky Derby (Philly.com)

Wilkes has two to watch for (Bloodhorse Blog)

Gulfstream Park making real strides (ESPN)

Gulfstream Park gambles on early opening to meet (DRF)

Inbred horses race to ruin (Global Animal)

First crop stallions to watch for 3-year-olds in 2012 (In The Money Blog)

2-year-olds to watch 12/6 (In The Money Blog)

Grading the early 2012 Kentucky Derby preps (Horse Racing Nation)

UPI racing round-up (UPI)

Sabercat adds fangs to Bluegrass Cat 2^nd crop (Bloodhorse)

Sunland Park meet opens with focus on 3-year-olds (DRF)

Field taking shape for CashCall Futurity (Brisnet)

Futures:

Wynn Las Vegas 12/5/11

Lucky’s 12/1/11

Speed Figures:

Winning 2yo BRIS: Discreet Dancer-99; Ancient Rome-97; Martini Madness-95; Atta Boy Pete-93; Politicallycorrect/Whistleblower-92

Winning 2yo Beyers last wk: Discreet Dancer-100; Ancient Rome-92; Martini Madness-78; Atta Boy Pete/Whistleblower-73; Politicallycorrect-79.

*Source: DerbyContenders Twitter

Week In Review 10/25 - 11/1/11 and Notable Performers

The Thoroughbred world is rightfully focused on the Breeders Cup events taking place Friday and Saturday at Churchill Downs.  As for Derby implications, there are three events for Juvenile colts and geldings.  While the main Juvenile dirt contest has gotten a bad rap for only producing one dual Breeders Cup/Derby winner, finishing in the top three shows a few more positive signs.  In 29 Breeders’ Cup runnings, 3 have ended up winning the Derby, 2 were runners up, and 5 received show money.  

Past Performances, race videos, and articles for all Juvenile races can be found in the Breeders’ Cup section// All of the contenders have put in their final works, which can be viewed below// Our own selections will be posted later this week.

In non-Breeders Cup news, there was a graded race at Churchill Sunday.  Motor City was the victor of the Iroquois Stakes (G3) and showed he prefers dirt over synthetic// Churchill had an interesting all 2-year-old card that day which led to some promising maiden and allowance winners… 

Graded Stakes Review

Iroquois S. (G3)

Winner: Motor City CTD NP

Jockey: Calvin Borel

Trainer: Ian Wilkes

Chart: Equibase

Video: Bloodhorse Replay

Beyer/BRIS: 81/89

Wrap-up Articles: Courier Journal / Bloodhorse / DRF / Thoroughbred Times / Brisnet

Non-Graded Stakes:

10/29/11 Norman Hall S.- SUF- Winner: Dreamed A Dream chart

10/29/11 Jersey Juvenile S. - MTH- Winner: Deliburnsky chart

10/29/11 Bob Benoit California Cup Juvenile- Winner: Rousing Sermon chart

10/29/11 Royal Glint S.- HAW- Winner: No Spin chart

10/30 11 NM Classic Cup Juvenile- ZIA- That’s Who chart

Notable Performers:

Basmati

10/28/11 Santa Anita Park Maiden Special Weight

Jockey: Garrett Gomez

Trainer: Doug O’Neill

Chart: Equibase

Video: Bloodhorse Replay

Beyer/BRIS: 86/92

Basmati finally broke his maiden after five previous tries (two in graded company).  He’s a son of Borrego, a grade one winner at 10 furlongs.  A mere $35,000 purchase at the OBS 2-year-old in training sale, Basmati’s dam is a half sister to a graded stakes winner at 8.5 furlongs. His catalog page can be viewed here

Works:

10/26/11 Trinniberg CD- 3F- 37:60- B- 7/12

10/26/11 Fort Loudon CRC- 5F- 1.02:60- B- 1/2

10/27/11 Sweet Swap SA- 4F- 47:80- H- 5/27

10/27/11 Creative Cause HOL- 5F- 1.00:00- H- 2/23

10/28/11 Lucky Chappy KEE- 4F- 48:00- B- 5/30

10/28/11 Union Rags FH- 5F- 1.00:80- B- 1/5

10/29/11 Majestic City SA- 5F- 1.03:40- B- 4/8 (Turf)

10/29/11 Alpha BEL- 5F- 1.00:84- B- 6/44 (Good)

10/29/11 Vexor BEL- 4F- 50:85- B- 64/105 (Good)

10/29/11 Liquidity Trap BEL- 4F- 49:64- B- 25/107 (Good)

10/29/11 Speightscity- BEL- 6F- 1.14:12- B- 2/7 (Good)

10/29/11 Two Months Rent BEL- 4F- 50:42- B- 58/107 

10/29/11 State of Play KEE- 6F- 1.13:80- B- 1/3

10/29/11 Jack's in the Deck LRL- 5F- 1.05:60- B- 3/3 (Sloppy)

10/29/11 Burning Time CRC- 5F- 1.02:40- B- 5/25 (Good)

10/29/11 Holdin’ Bullets CD- 4F- 48:00- B- 3/62

10/29/11 Dullahan CD- 5F- 1.00:80- B- 6/49

10/29/11 Jake Mo CD- 5F- 1.01:40- B- 17/49

10/29/11 Tequila Factor CD 4F- 54:60- B- 3/4 (Turf)

10/30/11 Coalport CD- 5F- 1.02:20- B- 1/2 (Turf)

10/30/11 Daddy Nose Best CD- 4F- 50:20- B- 44/58

10/30/11 Excaper WO- 5F- 1.00:20- B- 2/61

10/30/11 Gung Ho CDt- 5F- 1.00:20- B- 1/23

10/30/11 Secret Circle SA- 5F- 58:40 H- 2/67

10/30/11 Prospective CD- 5F- 1.01:20- B- 8/33

10/30/11 Take Charge Indy CD- 4F- 48:20- B- 9/58

10/30/11 Exfactor CD- 3F- 37:60- B- 6/12

10/30/11 Finale CD- 4F- 49:80- B- 1/5 (Turf)

10/31/11 Drill SA- 5F- 59:20- H- 3/24

10/31/11 Shkspeare Shaliyah CD- 4F- 51:00- B- 3/4 (Turf)

10/31/11 Animal Spirits CD- 4F- 49:20- B- 18/52

10/31/11 Seeker CD- 4F- 50:40- B- 39/52

10/31/11 Sum of the Parts CD- 4F- 49:60- B- 27/52

10/31/11 Hansen CD- 4F- 48:60- B- 2/10

Articles

Take Charge Indy gives trainer Pat Byrne early case of Derby fever (Courier Journal)

Gold surprised to be back with pair of juveniles (DRF)

Creative Cause rewards owner’s risk (DRF)

Matz looking forward to weekend and beyond with top juveniles (Thoroughbred Times)

Iowa-led horse [Dullahan] is soaring to the top (Des Moines Register)

Motor City, On Fire Baby to aim for Churchill juvenile highlights (Brisnet)

A Rags to riches story for Union Rags (Courier Journal)\

Union Rags helps preserve family legacy (Brisnet)

Dullahan’s connections opt for Juvenile (DRF)

Dullahan owner feels a few frights in Breeders’ Cup work (Lexington-Herald Leader)

Excaper tunes up on polytrack for Juvenile Turf (DRF)

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile: Contenders switching to the dirt (The Derby Post)

2012 Kentucky Derby Contenders: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Preview (Horseracing Nation)

Speed Figures

Top winning 2yo BRIS figs last week: El Padrino - 95; Wharton - 93; Eye Witness - 92; Unbridled's Note - 92; Basmati - 92.

Winning Beyers last week: El Padrino - 75; Wharton - 76; Eye Witness - 68; Unbridled's Note - 77; Basmati - 86.

*Source: DerbyContenders Twitter