Gotham draws 13, Hansen gets bad post// Consortium, Junebugred latest off Trail// Future Wager Pool #2 odds released

The Gotham Stakes (G3) drew a big field of 13, highlighted by the entry of 2-year-old Champion Hansen.  He was assignd the unfortunate post #12, which is not optimal on the Aqueduct inner track.  Nonetheless, Hansen is the overwhelming favorite at 6-5.  Second choice is My Adonis at 5-1, who trailed Hansen by just a half-length at the wire in the Holy Bull (G3).  There are several other contenders who could be maturing at the right time and on the verge of a breakout performance.  Raconteur, Side Road, and Stealcase are ones we’ll keep an eye on. Entries and preview articles for the Gotham below// More defections from the Trail Wednesday.  Consortium was withheld from the Gotham due to an ankle chip and will not point for the Derby.  That same injury was attributed to Junebugred, winner of the Smarty Jones Stakes and a disappointing 6^th in the Southwest (G3).  Also, catching up to a bit of old news, Bob Baffert’s Sky Kingdom will be out 60 days which knocks him off the Trail as well// The morning line odds for the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool #2 were released.  Once again ‘All Others’ are favored at 3-1, however Union Rags is close behind at 4-1. A little surprised to see allowance winner Fed Biz is the third choice at 12-1.  It will be interesting to see if the public keeps him that low.  Six new individual horses were added: Bodemeister, Castaway, Mark Valeski, News Pending, Scatman, and Secret Circle// Speaking of Scatman, trainer Michael Lauer says his phone has been ringing steadily with calls from reporters ever since Scatman challenged Secret Circle all the way to the wire in the Southwest.  The colt will try the Rebel (G2) next, which could setup a rematch if Secret Circle ships back// Bob Baffert’s Fed Biz and Liaison had extended 6-furlongs works and are still on track for the San Felipe// Currency Swap, winner of the Hopeful (G1) last year, is training slowly for a return to racing.  Trainer Teresa Pompay says the colt will ideally race in an allowance at Gulfstream followed by a Derby prep// more…

Gotham Stakes (G3)

Entries here

Preview articles: NYRA / Bloodhorse / Brisnet / DRF

Articles

Consortium on shelf with ankle chip (Bloodhorse)

Bone chip takes Junebugred off TC Trail (Bloodhorse)

Champion Hansen in New York state of mind (TTimes)

On the farm: the weaning of Hansen (Hansen Blog via Courier Journal)

Motion takes a pass on Gotham with two candidates (DRF)

Triple Crown victory one of few eluding Dominguez (DRF)

Baffert pair work for San Felipe (Bloodhorse)

Scatman targets Rebel, Junebugred off trail (Oaklawn Barn Notes)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool #2: ‘All Others’ favored (Churchill Downs)

Romans mulls News Pending’s next start (The Downey Profile)

Calhoun has two shots to produce a Kentucky Derby prospect (DRF)

Currency Swap getting late start (The Downey Profile)

Union Rags’ pedigree suggest he can hit Kentucky Derby’s distance (The Saratogian)

Union Rags the latest Kentucky Derby contender to have Pennsylvania ties (DRF)

3-year-olds to watch 2/28 (In The Money Blog)

Who’s hot, who’s not 2/29 (DRF)

Who is the real News Pending? (Bloodhorse Blog)

Kentucky Derby Report March 1 (Brisnet)

Rankings

Super Six Derby Pix (They Are Off Blog)

Works

Motor City- PMM- 4F- 52:22- B- 20/20

Animal Spirits- FG- 3F- 37:80- B- 11/14

Night Tide- SA- 7F- 1.25:60- H- 1/2

Liaison- SA- 6F- 1.13:80- H- 4/12

Fed Biz- SA- 6F- 1.13:40- H- 3/12

Brother Francis- SA- 6F- 1.12:00- H- 1/12

Currency Swap returns to work tab, Secret Circle and other contenders breeze// Revised dosage for Hansen// Beggarthyneighbor gets black type

The weekend is always busy with Kentucky Derby contender workouts, and Saturday was no exception.  Most notable was the return of Currency Swap to the work tab.  The Hopeful (G1) winner has been out of training since that victory in September due to an ankle chip.  He went an easy 3 furlongs in 36:60, with a little reported perspiration.  Trainer Teresa Pompay says the Florida Derby (G1) is the logical target but they could ship outside of Florida if he’s not ready by March 31.  Either way, the colt will only have one race before the Kentucky Derby, if he even has enough graded earnings to make it// Secret Circle, 2^nd last time out as the favorite in the two-turn Sham (G3) fired a bullet 5 furlongs at Santa Anita.  Bob Baffert has not made an official decision on whether the colt is pointing to the Southwest (G3) or one-turn San Vicente (G2).  Highly touted maiden winners Fed Biz and Unbridled’s Note also worked at Santa Anita, and surprise Gulfstream Park Derby Stakes winner Reveron went a slow 4 furlongs at Calder// Good investigating work by Dick Downey.  He revealed that Hansen’s dosage index, a pedigree statistic that indicates a horse’s ability to handle classic distances, was incorrectly reported.  The revised index is 3.50 from the original 5.40, which now puts Hansen in the sub 4.00 category.  Only five Kentucky Derby winners since 1940 have had an index above 4.00// Interesting video interview below with John Avello, director of the Wynn Las Vegas Sportsbook.  However, are we really supposed to believe they’re taking risks on accepting future wagers when a majority of horses won’t even make the Kentucky Derby, much less win it?// Beggarthyneighbor won the Dancing Count S. at Laurel Saturday.  The 8-5 favorite stayed close to pacesetting Costas Fiftieth, before splitting foes late in the stretch for the win// Big trail race Sunday with the return of champion 2-year-old Hansen who will duel against lightly raced but promising Algorithms and Consortium among others.  Free pps, handicapper picks, and race replays can be viewed at the below link…

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

Results

Dancing Count Stakes- Laurel Park- Winner: Beggarthyneighbor- chart

Articles

Which path will Hansen take? (ESPN)

Hansen’s dosage index: It’s really 3.50 not 5.40 (The Downey Profile)

Hopeful winner Currency Swap has first breeze since begin injured (DRF)

Chips All In no morning glory (DRF)

John Avello from Wynn Las Vegas discusses Kentucky Derby odds [video] (DRF)

Beggarthyneighbor jumps from maiden win to take Dancing Count (DRF)

Works

Currency Swap- GP- 3F- 36:60- B- 5/14

King Kid- GP- 5F- 59:95- H- 3/36

Burning Time- CRC- 4F- 50:20- B- 43/86

Reveron- CRC- 4F- 52:00 B- 72/86

State of Play- TAM- 4F- 48:60- B- 5/56

Atigun- OP- 4F- 49:80- 18/92

Chips All In- SA- 7F- 1.29:00- H- 4/4

Secret Circle- SA- 5F- 58:60- H- 1/61

Unbridled's Note- SA- 5F- 59:60- H- 6/61

Fed Biz- SA- 6F- 1.12:80- H- 3/16

Creative Cause- HOL- 6F- 1.11:60- H- 1/19

Ted's Folly- FG- 5F- 1.01:60- B- 13/67

Battle Hardened PMM- 5F- 1.01:33 B- 14/33

Prospective PMM- 5F- 1.03:04- B- 31/33

Mr. Style PMM- 3F- 37:85- B- 5/11

Notes and bits from web and Twitter:

“With @GulfstreamPark tab out... Currency Swap 36.4, out 51.1 ~ rider told us it was intended to be very easy; was lil washy in no humidity”- Grade1Racing via Twitter

Consortium to get Lasix in Holy Bull// Handicappers try to beat Hansen// Southwest, Withers, Robert Lewis come into focus

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reveals Holly Bull entrant Consortium bled a bit in his last race, a 2^nd place finish behind another Holy Bull starter Algorithms.  He’ll try Lasix for the first time Sunday, which could spark some improvement// Handicapper picks are rolling in for the Holy Bull. It looks like many believe Hansen should win, but will try to beat him in their wagers with Algorithms on top// Reveron is still on target for the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. Trainer Augustin Bezara, who hails from Venezuela and does not speak English, said through an interpreter that the colt is doing well in morning jogs and gallops.  In a style a bit unorthodox from North American trainers, he does not often send his horses on official works between races// Apprehender, a dominating debut winner Thursday at Oaklawn, will start next in the Southwest (G3).  He earned a high Beyer of 97 for his 5.5 furlong maiden score. Looking at his sire, Posse, you could guess he might not like a stretch-out, but his dam was a Grade 1 winner at 9 furlongs. A horse by the awful name of Pee H Dee is also possible for the Southwest, as long as an allowance in early February doesn’t fill as expected.  His stablemate Ring It Up will point for an allowance with longer-term hopes of going to the Rebel (G2) on March 17// The lineup for the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct is a little more clear.  In addition to highly touted Alpha, the field could swell to nine with Hakama, King Kid, Phil Dancer, Speightscity, Swag Daddy, Tiger Walk, How Do I Win, and Longview Drive. The latter two are only questionable.  Presumed favorite Alpha will have several more gate schooling sessions based on his issues in prior races// Last year it seemed Bob Baffert was focused on splitting his Kentucky Derby contenders between California, Arkansas, and New York, but it looks like he could have two top prospects in this year’s Robert Lewis (G2) at Santa Anita.  Liaison, winner of the CashCall Futurity (G1) and Sky Kingdom, a troubled fifth in the same race are pointed for the 9-furlong contest next week.  The latter also earned a bullet from his 5-furlong work Friday, when he went 58:40, which was best of 67 other workers. He and Liaison will most likely confront Empire Way, Rousing Sermon, and I’ll Have Another in the Robert Lewis.

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

Articles

McLaughlin looks for Consortium to improve (The Downey Profile)

Apprehender out to capture Southwest after flashy debut [and info on Reckless Jerry] (Oaklawn Park Barn Notes)

Baffert points Liaison, Sky Kingdom to Robert Lewis Stakes (DRF)

Countdown to the Crown Week 4 (DRF)

Kentucky Derby contenders are getting harder to predict (Los Angeles Daily News)

Hansen starts path to Kentucky Derby in Holy Bull Stakes (DRF)

Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park could shape Kentucky Derby [video] (The Wall Street Journal)

Hansen will start 2012 Kentucky Derby journey in Holy Bull (Graded Stakes Blog)

Despite training trends, Holy Bull remains important step on Kentucky Derby Trail (The Brock Talk Blog)

Holy Bull Picks: Thorofan Blog / Dick Downey

Two-turn allowance an alternative to Holy Bull (DRF)

Works

Stat- PMM- 5F- 1.02:41- B- 4/8

Isn't He Clever- SUN- 5F- 1.00:80- H- 1/9

Sky Kingdom- SA- 5F- 58:40- H- 1/67

Notes and bits from web and Twitter:

Southwest just got verrrry interesting. Apprehender got a 97 Beyer speed figure in his debut yesterday- Rolly Hoyt via Twitter

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

Derby trail loses another// Holy Bull still looks to be small field// Future odds for the 2015 Kentucky Derby?

Entries for Sunday’s Holy Bull (G3) will be drawn Thursday, and no late news on possible additions to the prospective small cast that includes Hansen, Algorithms, Consortium, My Adonis, and Fort Loudon.  The Downey Profile mentions Todd Pletcher could enter much-buzzed-about Discreet Dancer, but not sure the likelihood of that// An interesting maiden contest will take place in the opening slot on Friday’s card at Aqueduct.  Entries include a $430,000 Mr. Greeley colt and Darley homebred// Seven were entered in Saturday’s Dancing Count Stakes at Laurel, including several stakes runners and recent maiden breakers// Another defection along the Derby trail.  Tuesday was Stephanoatsee and Wednesday brought the announcement of Indian Evening, winner of the Swynford Stakes at Woodbine and 3^rd in the Saratoga Special (G2)// Trainer Joe Martin discusses his Derby contender Big Wednesday who is pointing for the Southwest (G3).  He claims the horse is training like a “monster”// There’s a reason why many don’t like to even look at Kentucky Derby future odds.  Wynn Las Vegas opened betting on the Curlin-Rachel Alexandra colt who was just born Sunday.  Does 60-1 to make the Derby in 2015 sound like a good bet to you? Let me know how that goes for you…

Articles

Best 3-year-olds on Friday’s card may be group of maidens in opener (DRF)

Rising Stars: Talent emerging from Delaware (The Saratogian)

Martin running the gauntlet at Oaklawn (Downey Profile)

Holy something, where are the runners? (Downey Profile)

Entries

Dancing Count Stakes-$100,000 Laurel Park

Works:

Coalition- BEL- 5F- 1.00:89- B- 1/15

Hello Prince- CRC- 5F- 1.02:60- B- 1/7

Big Wednesday- OP- 5F- 1.02:80- B- 2/19 (muddy)

Midnight Serenade- SPC- 3F- 38:80- B- 2/5 (workout was late reported. Occurred 1/24)

Notes and bits from web and Twitter:

“Swynford winner Indian Evening, 3rd in Sara Special, off Derby trail with suspensory, Vinery prez says in text. Target return late spring” - Jennie Rees via Twitter

“WEBN S. next for flashy TP 2x winner Phantom Fury” - DerbyContenders via Twitter

“Talk about pressure - Wynn Las Vegas opens prop bet on whether Rachel-Curlin colt will run in 2015 #KyDerby. 60-1 odds on Yes, 1-100 on No.”- DRFDerby via Twitter