Point
Races:
Sunland
Derby (G3)
Winner (pts): Govenor Charlie
2nd, 3rd, 4th, (pts): Show Some Magic (20), Abraham (10), Shakin It Up
(5)
Beyer/BRIS: 95/99
CTD
Analysis: Surely it’s sickening for other trainers to see the number of serious
Bob Baffert Derby prospects increase on a seemingly daily basis. While his
Southern California export operation took a little bump in the road in last
week’s Rebel Stakes, it was back on track with Govenor Charlie for Sunday’s
Sunland Derby (G3). The son of Midnight Lute was close to the pace in the first
half mile before displaying his true class in the latter stages by pulling away
to an easy 5-length score.
One point of annoyance that I feel must be stated (again): Can we agree
that any quarter mile time that begins with 22 seconds (followed by whatever) and
any half mile in 46 (followed by whatever) for a race over a mile should not be
called “modest”? In fact it’s quick, especially for a 1 1/8 mile race. I’m not
sure what’s happened over the last several years but there is no uniformity in
race calling or reporting when it comes to pace.
With that out of the way, it’s impressive Govenor Charlie could sit just
behind the hot pace set by Saint Prado and have more than enough to dominate
the race. I was surprised to see the Beyer Speed figure come back only 95
considering he set a Sunland Park record, but the track was playing fast all
day. The Sunland Derby field was not ultra impressive on paper either, with
only three entrants having won a race other than a maiden, and none of those
races longer than a mile.
Still, Govenor Charlie should be a solid mid-to-upper tier choice in the
Kentucky Derby (G1) based on his connections, speed figures, proven ability,
and pedigree (second dam is Silverbulletday, a Grade 1 winner at 1 1/4 miles among
other notable accomplishments).
Spiral
Stakes (G3)
Winner (pts): Black Onyx
2nd, 3rd, 4th (pts): Uncaptured (20), Giant Finish (10), Taken by the
Storm (5)
Beyer/BRIS: 90/96
CTD
Analysis: While the Sunland Derby winner could end up on a lot of Derby tickets,
it’s hard to see the same happening for the Spiral Stakes (G3) winner Black
Onyx. Sent off at 15-1 odds, Black Onyx will enter the Derby sporting low speed
figures and a lone stakes win that came on a synthetic track. Nonetheless, he
should be respected for making a strong closing move in a modestly set pace and for holding off multiple stakes winner Uncaptured
in the stretch. Although his only win on dirt was just a maiden, that 2 1/4
lengths victory and his closing running style could be enough to make me second
guess leaving Black Onyx off some superfecta combinations.
Second place Uncaptured should not be written off either. Not only was
the Spiral his first race in four months and the longest he’s ever gone, but he’s
already made it known the Churchill surface suits him. Uncaptured’s 30 points
for the Kentucky Derby might be enough to make the field regardless of how he
does in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.
Non-point
races:
Rushaway
Stakes
Winner: Crop Report
Beyer/BRIS: 85/94
Articles:
Rankings:
Workouts:
Friday
Demonic-
HOL- 5F- 1.01:20- H- 7/20
Golden
Soul- FG- 6F- 1.12:60- B- 1/2
Frac Daddy-
GP- 5F- 1.00:24- H- 2/16
Vyjack-
AQU- 5F- 59.07- B- 1/7
Saturday
Elnaawi-
BEL- 5F- 1.02:54- B- 8/32
Speak
Logistics- CRC- 4F- 47:20- H- 1/63
Itsmyluckyday-
CRC- 4F- 49:40- B- 19/63
Dynamic
Sky- PMM- 5F- 1.00:88- B- 7/31
Honorable
Dillon- PMM- 4F- 50:04- B- 45/55
Clearly
Now- PMM- 5F- 1.01:84- B- 18/31
Rydilluc-
PMM- 7F- 1.30:18- B- 1/1 (Turf)
Positively-
PMM- 4F- 49:66 B- 3/6 (Turf)
Clawback-
AQU- 4F- 49:04- B- 4/19
Java's War-
GP- 4F- 49:07- B- 20/53
Sunbean-
FG- 4F- 49:20- B- 12/70
Sunday
Dewey
Square- GP- 5F- 1.00:81- B- 4/24
Belvin- SA-
5F- 59:60- H- 1/61
Hear the
Ghost- HOL- 6F- 1.13:60- H- 5/14
Code West-
SA- 5F- 1.00:20- H- 3/47
Departing-
FG- 4F- 47:20- B- 1/64
Mylute- FG-
4F- 50:00- B- 43/64
Mountain
Eagle- PMM- 3F- 37:12- B- 1/6
Normandy
Invasion- PMM- 5F- 1.00:22- B- 1/34
Overanalyze-
PMM- 4F- 48:20- B- 4/43
Revolutionary-
PMM- 4F- 48:20- B- 4/43
Palace
Malice- PMM- 5F- 1.00:82- B- 6/34
Shanghai
Bobby- PMM- 5F- 1.00:82- B- 6/34
Verrazano-
PMM- 4F- 49:79- B- 20/43
