Chasing The Derby: Brother Francis

I will freely admit I have no experience in training thoroughbred racehorses. That fact doesn’t stop me from questioning certain tactics and decisions trainers make with their horses. Mike Harrinton, trainer of Creative Cause, announced Tuesday the colt will race in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) without blinkers for the first time in his racing career. The obvious and simple question is why? Creative Cause is a multiple graded stakes winner, comes off an impressive victory in the contentious San Felipe (G2), has shown no regression in his 3-year-old form, and sits among the top 3 in most Kentucky Derby contender rankings. So, the obvious question seems legitimate. Harrington states the equipment change is due to the fact Creative Cause is wandering and unfocused in most of his races. I still feel it carries more risk than reward. Although the race after the Santa Anita Derby (G1) is more important, Saturday’s prep is still a key launching pad and a change in routine this late in the game could veer things off course at an inopportune time. Creative Cause worked 4-furlongs at Hollywood Wood Park Tuesday in 48:40// Excuses are plentiful in the DRF feature on Brother Francis, who has yet to win a race despite remaining on the Derby Trail and sitting at #31 on the graded earnings list. Trainer Jim Cassidy believes multiple obstacles have blocked the colt from finishing first in four starts and they will try to reverse their fortune in Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby// Ramon Dominguez is on target to ride Alpha in Saturday’s Wood Memorial (G1). His recovery from a separated collarbone has stayed on schedule. Dominguez could have a tough decision to make come Derby time as he rides both Hansen and Alpha. If Alpha moves on to the Kentucky Derby he would be the first entrant for owner Sheik Mohammed to not have prepped in Dubai ahead of the race // Trainer Jonathan Sheppard was happy with Ever So Lucky’s workout at Keeneland Tuesday. The graded stakes placed runner will work again next Tuesday ahead of the Blue Grass Stakes (G1)// Updated contender list and CTD Top 5 rankings can be found below…

CTD Contenders

List updated 4/3

CTD Top 5

Rankings updated 4/3

Articles

Blinkers off Creative Cause for SA Derby (Bloodhorse)
Creative Cause sticks with new work pattern (DRF)

Creative Cause matures on Triple Crown trail (TTimes)

Brother Francis seeking new status (DRF)

Ever So Lucky works; Blue Grass the target (Bloodhorse)

Alpha follows new path to Kentucky Derby Godolphin (DRF)

Dominguez ready to ride Alpha in Wood (Bloodhorse)

Transylvania Stakes: Bloodhorse / TTimes

Hype springs eternal (Bloodhorse Blog)

They all get beat (Hansen Blog via Courier Journal)

Repole hopes to bring an ‘Entourage’ to Derby (Bloodhorse)

Union Rags still favored despite loss (Miami Herald)

Haskin’s Derby Trail: Tami and Indy- a love story (Bloodhorse Blog)

Take Charge Indy pedigree profile (Paulick Report)

‘Plain’ yearling is Louisiana Derby’s ‘Hero’ (Bloodhorse)

Kentucky Derby hopefuls gear up for the big day in May (CBS Miami)

Step right up (ESPN)

2012 Kentucky Derby contender draws interest in IndyCar paddock (PaddockTalk)

Works

Ever So Lucky- KEE- 5F- 59:40- H- 4/19

Creative Cause- HOL- 4F- 48:40- H- 5/14

Other Rankings

Paulick Derby Index 4/3 (Paulick Report)

Weekly Speed Figures*

Top 3yo winning BRIS figs last week: Take Charge Indy-104; Derby Gold & Ez Effort-100; Sachem Spirit-96; Unstoppable U & Hero of Order-95

Winning 3yo Beyers last week: Take Charge Indy-95; Derby Gold-93; Ez Effort-87; Sachem Spirit-85; Unstoppable U-79; Hero of Order-90.

*Source: DerbyContenders via Twitter

Grade 1 winner Dullahan will make his 2012 debut on turf in the Palm Beach Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream. His connections are hoping to take the same path to Kentucky they took with Paddy O’Prado in 2010. The Palm Beach only drew six total entries and will really not offer much of a read either way on where Dullahan fits with other serious Derby contenders. Entries and a link to free PPs are below// Jason Shandler points out the Tampa Bay Derby has had more impact on the Kentucky Derby than any other prep race in the last five years. The race has produced 2 Derby winners and a third-place finisher. Shandler likes Take Charge Indy, Spring Hill Farm, Battle Hardened, and Cozetti in this year’s running, all of which I’m inclined to agree in that order// Jay Privman notes that maiden winner Bodemeister is the only entry in the San Felipe (G2) to earn a triple digit Beyer speed figure, yet most of the other nine challengers are more experienced and accomplished. Bodemeister is the second choice at 3-1 right behind favorite Creative Cause at 5-2// Trainer Bob Baffert posted on his Twitter account that Fed Biz, a horse that was suppose to run in the San Felipe, returned to the track Thursday and seems to have recovered from his stomach cramping. The Santa Anita Derby (G1) or Wood Memorial (G1) will offer his only shot at joining the Kentucky Derby field// Brother Francis, a multiple graded stakes placed colt, is still eligible for maiden level racing. He’ll try to get his first win Saturday and move onto the Santa Anita Derby// Lots of handicapper picks linked below// For PPs, articles, and picks for all weekend Derby preps go to the upcoming page here

Palm Beach Stakes (G2)

Entries / PPs (look for March 11 Dullahan)

Preview Articles: Bloodhorse / Brisnet

San Felipe (G2), Tampa Bay Derby (G2), Swale (G2)- For free PPs, articles, and picks click here

Articles

Santa Anita stable notes 3/8 (Santa Anita)

Bodemeister fast, but untested heading into San Felipe Stakes (DRF)

Spring Hill Farm steps up for Pletcher (DRF)

Tampa Bay Derby favorite to be tested (Sports Network)

Ever So Lucky gets season started in Swale (DRF)

Rebel plan comes together (Arkansas News)

Romancing the Gold possible for Wood (DRF)