Tampa Bay Derby (G2)
Winner (pts): Verrazano
(50)
2nd,
3rd, 4th (pts): Java’s War (20), Falling Sky (10), Dynamic Sky (5)
Chart:
Equibase
Beyer/BRIS:
101/100
Replay:
YouTube
Recaps:
Bloodhorse
/ DRF
/ Brisnet
CTD Analysis:
It’s
hard to find anything wrong with Verrazano’s victory in the Tampa Bay Derby
(G2), his stakes debut and first time going two-turns. He faced some adversity
when stumbling out of the gate and sustaining a cut that appears to be more
superficial than threatening, and also took dirt in the face from Falling Sky.
The final time for the 1 1/16 mile run was 1:43.96, just over a second off the
track record, and he earned a high 101 Beyer speed figure. Even more impressive
was the fact he needed little urging from John Velazquez. The winning margin
over Java’s War was three lengths, and it was another four lengths back to
Falling Sky.
There
was also something about Verrazano’s easy win in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) that
was strange. Although he didn’t necessarily have to be in front, it didn’t look
as if he was very comfortable in the early going. Verrazano was not giving
Velazquez much trouble, but also didn’t seem as if he wanted to be around horses
in general when opting to stay in the center of the track along the
backstretch. Perhaps equine psychologist Kerry Thomas will offer more info, but
I have to wonder how Verrazano will react in a field of 20, especially if he
breaks behind a wall of horses or in tight quarters. Still, Verrazano is my top pick to win the Kentucky Derby as
I feel his talent and speed is unmatched by anyone in his class.
Longshot
Java’s War put in a good late run to get the place honors. Considering the pace
was not blistering and he had to overcome some traffic issues, it was an
admirable performance. Falling Sky also proved to be a good horse, but really
had no excuse and probably should be considered a cut below top-shelf
competition.
San Felipe (G2)
Winner (pts): Hear the
Ghost (50)
2nd,
3rd, 4th (pts): Flashback (20), Tiz a Minister (10), Goldencents (5)
Chart:
Equibase
Beyer/BRIS:
93/99
Replay:
Bloodhorse
Recaps:
Bloodhorse
/ DRF
/ Brisnet
CTD Analysis:
The
main story coming out of the San Felipe (G2) was the lightning quick speed duel
between star attractions Flashback and Goldencents in the middle stages of the
race. That development allowed Hear the Ghost to a making a winning sustained
run on the outside. Some may believe Flashback and Goldencents are still better
than the winner, but you can’t fault him for running a winning race. The pace
in the Kentucky Derby is usually brisk and Hear the Ghost may be able to use
the tactic again. It was just his third career race and first going two turns
so we could be seeing a new superstar emerge from the West.
You
obviously can’t discount Flashback from being a serious Derby contender, who
still hung on to finish second. It’s important to remember it was only his
third career race as well and he not only had to deal with pressure from Goldencents
but also Salutos Amigos. Goldencents’ jockey Kevin Krigger was critical of
Julien Leparoux’s ride aboard Flashback, complaining Leparoux pressed the pace
unnecessarily, but it was Krigger who fired the first shot when splitting the
two in the early going. Leparoux did flank Goldencents for the remainder of the
backstretch and into the turn, but to me it was not an unprofessional tactic.
It will be difficult to change both colts’ running styles, but something will
have to give if they meet again.
Third
place finisher Tiz a Minister tends to get lost in the shuffle of the San
Felipe discussion, but he closed well alongside Hear the Ghost to end up only a
length off the lead. Added distance is a concern for the son of Minister’s Wild
Cat.
Non-Derby points stakes
races:
Private Terms Stakes
Laurel
Park
Winner: Mr Palmer
Chart:
Equibase
Recaps:
Bloodhorse
Fred “Cappy” Capossela
Stakes
Aqueduct
Winner:
Maleeh
Chart:
Equibase
Articles:
Carve
beats rain at Oaklawn for Rebel workout (Bloodhorse)
Pletcher
Derby hopefuls work at Palm Meadows (Bloodhorse)
Rankings
CTD Top 5 (CTD)
CTD Top 5 (CTD)
Star-Ledger
Top 10 (Star-Ledger)
Workouts:
Saturday
Itsmyluckyday- CRC- 1M-
1.46:00- B- 1/3
Big Lute- OP- 5F- 59:60-
B- 1/52
Texas Bling- OP- 5F-
1.01:00- B- 2/52
Sunbean- FG- 4F- 53:20- B-
66/68
My Name Is Michael- PAY-
4F- 49:00- B- 3/18
Always in a Tiz- OP- 4F-
48:60- B- 5/81
Speak Logistics- CRC- 4F-
49.40- B- 19/75
Nina's Dragon- GG- 7F-
1:26.40- H-
1/2
Manando- SA- 4F- 46:40- H-
1/11
Sunday
War Academy- SA- 5F- 1.00:80-
H- 12/52
Super Ninety Nine- SA- 5F-
59:80- H- 2/52
Den's Legacy- SA- 5F-
59:80- H- 2/52
Dice Flavor- HOL- 5F-
1.01:80- H- 24/34
Mylute- FG- 7F- 1.27:40-
B- 1/1
Normandy Invasion- PMM-
4F- 48:01- B- 2/39
Positively- PMM- 4F-
48:39- B- 6/39
Palace Malice- PMM- 4F-
49:40- B- 13/39
Delhomme- PMM- 5F-
1.00:88- B- 3/26
Capo Bastone- PMM- 5F-
1.01:48- B- 6/26
Revolutionary- PMM- 5F-
1.01:48- B- 6/26
Shanghai Bobby- PMM- 5F-
1.02:90- B- 18/26
