Gotham shines spotlight on Hansen// I'll Have Another to work in front of crowd// Small field in Battaglia// Fly Lexis Fly update needed

The sheer number of articles and blog posts about Champion 2-year-old Hansen over the past two days serves as a reminder of how powerful the stage of New York City can be.  Never mind the Gotham Stakes is just a Grade 3 Kentucky Derby prep race in early March, with aside from Hansen, a suspect cast; people pay attention.  Hansen took to the Belmont training track Thursday.  He had a strong gallop for 1 1/8 miles and some gate schooling. Side Road is somewhat of an alternate entry for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who had to withhold Consortium from the Gotham due to an injury. He knows it’s a tough spot but says the son of Street Cry is improving.  For PPs, articles, picks, and videos you can view the Gotham race page here// I’ll Have Another, surprise winner of the Robert Lewis (G2) and 5^th on the CTD Top 5, will have an official 6-furlong workout in front of the afternoon racing crowd at Santa Anita Saturday.  Trainer Doug O’Neill wants the colt to experience the sights and sounds of a big live audience, something that he’ll surely have to face for the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1)// Entries were drawn for the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park.  The race serves as a prep for the Spiral Stakes (G3), which Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom captured last year.  Grade 2 winner State of Play will be making his synthetic debut after two previous bad efforts in the Sam Davis (G3) on dirt and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).  He’ll ship in to face 5 rivals including local Mr. Prankster, winner of two previous stakes at Turfway// A nice feature video from a few days ago by TVG on Fly Lexis Fly below.  Neil Drysdale is the new trainer of the Peruvian import who has already won at the Derby and Belmont distances as a 2-year-old.  The plan is to run in just one Derby prep, but I’m not sure how likely that is seeing as the colt has yet to record an official workout// Many fans are against the current qualification system for gaining entry in the Kentucky Derby.  A writer by the name of Indulto gives a lengthy review and alternative to the graded stakes earnings requirement for Horseracing Insider.  The piece below is only part one and actually doesn’t get into his recommendation just yet...

Gotham Stakes (G3)

Race page with PPs, picks, preview articles and more here

John Battaglia Memorial Stakes

Preview articles: TTimes / DRF / Bloodhorse

Picks: Commish’s Picks (The Downey Profile)

Articles

NYRA Notes 3/1 (NYRA)

Big H hits the Big Apple (Hansen Blog via Courier Journal)

Hansen’s 12 Gotham challengers have much to prove (DRF)

Something to prove in the Gotham (The Derby Post)

Hansen attracts a crowd in Gotham (ESPN Blog)

In The Gate 3/1 [Gotham Preview] (ESPN Podcast)

Horse of a different color? Stewards see red over request to give Derby hopeful blue hue (AP)

Public workout for Santa Anita Derby prospect I’ll Have Another (DRF)

Sadler considers maiden Holy Candy a Triple Crown prospect (DRF)

Fly Lexis Fly feature [video] (TVG)

Derby dreams abound in Canada for Woodbine connections (Horse-Canada.com)

Hot and not on the Derby Trail (ESPN)

Let’s be Frank: Kentucky Derby Pool 2 top plays (Sports Network)

2012 Kentucky Derby analysis: The Risen Star Stakes (Bleacher Report)

The Kentucky Derby: Grading the road ahead (Horseracing Insider)

Works

Right to Vote- PMM- 5F- 1.00:90- B- 2/4

Cyber Secret- OP- 4F- 48:60- B- 3/24

Dialed In can’t catch up// Top contenders work including Uncle Mo// Stay Thirsty gets 89 Beyer and will head to Florida Derby// Baffert pulls audible and points The Factor to Rebel

Summary:

Dialed In’s late surge couldn’t catch Zito’s other entry Equestrio in today’s allowance.  While it wasn’t a bad race by any means, I think it proved how tricky it is to time his late burst and how green he still runs// Stay Thirsty gets a low 89 Beyer in the Gotham which puts him a notch below other likely Derby starters.  Florida Derby next for him// Baffert is now leaning towards the Rebel for The Factor, which should have a stronger field than the Borderland// Uncle Mo led a slew of contender workouts today. Pletcher still hoping the Timely Writer fills//

Stay Thirsty takes Gotham although some not impressed// Busy workout day//Another eye-opening maiden winner//Ungraded stakes articles and video//

Summary:

Stay Thirsty wins the Gotham. The TVG crew was harsh. NYRA handicapper Andy Serling was not impressed.  Not sure what everyone expected from a four month layoff, but I would consider a 3 ¼ length win over a sizzling stakes winner and some good up-and-comers a nice first step for 2011// Positive Response romps in the Battaglia// Sensational Slam takes the Caposella. Bay Shore next// Smoke It Right wins the Mountain Valley, Arkansas Derby likely// Sway Away headed to the Rebel// Many works today, including bullets by The Factor and Premier Pegasus.  All trainers seemed happy// Wilburn is the latest impressive maiden winner.  Time is not on his side though// Don’t forget- Dialed In to race tomorrow in the 4^th at Gulfstream at 2:25pm.

Dialed In to face older colts in allowance. Pletcher admits Stay Thirsty not fully cranked up. Handicapper picks for the Gotham.

Summary:

Just hours after Bloodhorse published a story on the Tampa Bay Derby being Dialed In’s next logical race, an allowance with his name as an entry filled at Gulfstream.  Everyone seems happy.  So are there any reservations of running against older colts at such a critical time? His competition includes a graded stakes placed runner and recent allowance winners.  Dick Downey still believes it’s a weak bunch//There is a quote from Todd Pletcher on Stay Thirsty’s tight workout schedule.  Is Pletcher’s “not fully cranked up” the same as Mott’s “not fully cranked up”?// More background articles on the Gotham plus a few expert handicapper picks// Some of the other upcoming 3YO stakes got some ink today- Battaglia and Mountain Valley