Week in Review and Notable Performers 12/6- 12/12

The rich $750,000 CashCall Futurity is this weekend.  Over 13 are possible to enter the gate.  A new intriguing contender is Dorsomais who was flown from France and has a 1 1/4 mile maiden race already under his belt. However, the spotlight will mostly focus on Drill, Majestic City, So Brilliant, Basmati, and Cozzetti// Owner Ron Winchell says Delta Jackpot winner Sabercat and highly touted but unraced Hardtap will winter at Santa Anita// Union Rags is slowly gearing up for a 3-year-old campaign in Florida// JC’s Pride, a quick promising Juvenile who broke a Saratoga track record and posted a triple-digit Beyer speed figure, was euthanized due to an infection// Currency Swap continues his rehabilitation// Recent maiden winners are garnering attention due to the approaching new year and proximity to serious major Kentucky Derby trail contests…

Upcoming Graded Stakes:

CashCall Futurity (G1): Race Page can be found here

Notable Performers:

Hakama

12/10/11 Aqueduct Maiden Special Weight

Jockey: Ramon Dominguez

Trainer: Michael Trombetta

Chart: Equibase chart

Video: Bloodhorse Replay

Beyer/BRIS: 81/97

Notes and Thoughts

-Whether it was the stretch out in distance or experience factor, Hakama responded well in his third try by setting the pace and finishing clear of the competition

-Hakama’s sire, First Samurai was a precocious 2-year-old who captured the Hopeful and Champagne, and then went on to win the Fountain of Youth his sophomore season before retiring due to injury before the Kentucky Derby.

-Purchased for $150,000 at the Keeneland Sept Yearling sale, catalog page here

Margano

12/10/11 Gulfstream Park Maiden Special Weight

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Trainer: Barclay Tagg

Chart: Equibase chart
Video: Bloodhorse Replay

Beyer/BRIS: 80/92

-Main reason he’s an NP is due to the fact he’s a full brother to 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro

-Like his brother, broke maiden on turf

-Trainer Tagg kept all options open including a switch to dirt in near future

Hammers Terror

12/8/11 Fair Grounds Allowance Optional Claiming

Jockey: James Graham

Trainer: Michael Stidham

Chart: Equibase chart

Video: Bloodhorse Replay

Beyer/BRIS: 73/92

Notes and Thoughts:

-First try on dirt looked easy as Graham relented on whip in final 16^th

-Lecomte (G3) at FG is next target

-Sire was best at a mile and turf, but pedigree suggests he could stretch out. 

-Dam is a half sister to multiple graded stakes winner Kingdom Found

-$40,000 purchase at Keeneland Sept Yearling sale. Catalog page here

Notable Performers recent results:

Canigotoo- 12/9/11-RP- AOC-1st- chart

Seeker- 12/10/11- Springboard Mile S.- 9th- chart

Twelve Hundred- 12/10/11 Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity- 3rd- chart

Non-Graded Stakes

12/9/11 Kudzu S.- FG- Winner: Crimson Pride- chart

12/10/11 Inaugural S.- TAM- Winner: Angelofdistinction- chart

12/10/11 Pennsylvania Nursery S.- PRX- Winner: Pollard’s Boy- chart

12/10/11 Gold Rush S.- GG- Winner: Russian Greek- chart

12/10/11 LA Champions Day Juvenile S.- FG- Winner: Beanwah’smachine- chart

12/10/11 Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity- HAW- Winner: Real Power- chart

12/10/11 Remington Springboard Mile S.- RP- Ted’s Folly- chart

Works:

12/7/11 Exfactor FG- 4F- 48:80 B- 2/30 (Good)

12/7/11 Majestic City HOL- 4F- 46:80- H- 1/22

12/7/11 Longview Drive GG- 6F- 1.17:60- H- 3/5

12/8/11 Reveron CRC- 1 Mile- 1.48:20- B- 1/1

12/8/11 Consortium PMM- 4F- 47:55- B- 1/18

12/8/11 State of Play PMM- 5F- 59:55- B- 7/19 (Turf)

12/9/11 Jake Mo FG- 4F- 49:60- B- 12/51

12/10/11 Worthington- SUNLAND PARK- 4F- 51:60- B- 43/46

12/10/11 Seven Lively Sins FG- 4F- 53:00- B- 55/57

12/10/11 Jack's in the Deck LRL- 4F- 50:00- B- 41/69

12/10/11 Alpha PMM- 4F- 48:40- B- 12/66

12/10/11 Algorithms PMM- 4F- 50:55- B- 57/66

12/10/11 Thursby PMM- 4F- 49:83- B- 47/66

12/11/11 Drill SA- 5F- 1.00:00- H- 11/97

12/11/11 Brother Francis SA- 5F- 1.02:20- H- 67/97

12/11/11 Night Tide SA- 3F- 37:60- H- 22/32

12/11/11 Empire Way HOL- 5F- 1.01:00- H- 15/42

12/11/11 Hierro SA- 5F- 1.02:40- H- 72/97

12/11/11  How Do I Win BEL- 4F- 51:11- B- 50/62

12/11/11 Speightscity BEL- 3F- 36:25- B- 2/25

12/11/11 Rousing Sermon HOL- 6F- 1.12:20- H- 2/20

12/11/11 Optimizer OP- 4F- 50:00- B- 20/23

12/11/11 Prospective PMM- 5F- 1.00:72- B- 3/33

12/11/11 Burning Time CRC- 5F- 1.01:40- H- 1/19

12/11/11 El Padrino PMM- 4F- 48:45- B- 5/22

12/12/11 Majestic City HOL- 5F- 58:80- H- 1/13

12/12/11State of Play PMM- 5F- 1.03:00- B- 11/13 (Turf)

12/12/11Gold Megillah PMM- 5F- 1.00:78- B- 3/8

12/12/11 Finale PMM- 4F- 48:77- B- 10/28

12/12/11 Class President FG- 4F- 52:00- B- 38/42

12/13/11 Exfactor FG- 5F- 1.01:00- B- 1/13

12/13/11 Stoney Fleece SA- 5F- 1.00:80- H- 2/6

Articles:

Six Kentucky Derby prospects to watch in 2012 (DRF)

Deromais, Cozzetti join CashCall Futurity chase (Hollywood Park)

Hollendorfer seeks Starlet-Futurity sweep (Hollywood Park)

Romans likes his CashCall prospect (DRF)

Drill possible for CashCall Futurity (DRF)

Cashcall stars can emerge from long shadows cast by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (The Brock Talk)

Union Rags back in light training (Bloodhorse)

Union Rags still on the farm (DRF)

Hansen, O’Prado again get on track (DRF)

Plan B is just fine [Sabercat & Hardtap] (Bloodhorse)

12/13: 2-year-olds to watch (In The Money Blog)

Hammers Terror wins at Fairgrounds, is headed to Lecomte (The Times-Picayune)

Promising two-year-old JC’s Pride euthanized due to illness (Thoroughbred Times)

An early look at Derby 138 (The Voice-Tribune)

The wonderment of Kentucky Derby winter books (Zipse At The Track Blog)

The future is now (Bloodhorse Blog)

Rising Stars: Discreet Dancer dazzles in debut (The Saratogian)

Poolside with Currency Swap (Daily Gazette)

The Journey from juvenile to sophomore- the ones to watch out in 2012 (Bettor.com)

Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Excaper likely for Dania Beach (Gulfstream Park News)

Futures:

Wynn Las Vegas: 12/11

Hilton: 12/9

Lucky’s: 12/5

Speed Figures:

2yo winning Beyers last week: Hakama-81; D' Wildcat Road/Out of Bounds-77; Hammers Terror-73; Beanwah'smachine/Pollard's Boy-92; Margano-80

Top 2yo winning BRIS figs last week: Hakama-97; D' Wildcat Road/Out of Bounds-93; Hammers Terror/Beanwah'smachine/Margano/Pollard's Boy-92

*Source: DerbyContenders Twitter

Notes and bits from Twitter:

-Repole/Pletchers’ Overdriven is resting and will point for the Hutcheson (G2) Feb 11 or Swale March 10^th.

-Nice works from two soon to be three year olds at Palm Meadows this morning, State of Play and Gold Megillah. Hopefully both have a future.- Graham Motion via Twitter

-Pathfork, last year's champion 2yo in Ireland now with John Sadler, could make U.S. debut in Sir Beaufort at Santa Anita- Trifectabox via Twitter (J.J. Hysell)

Currency Swap up in time in Hopeful, J C's Pride pulled up



Photo: Horsephotos.com



Chart: Equibase

Video: YouTube

Articles: Bloodhorse/ DRF / Brisnet / Glen Falls Post-Star

Week in Review and Notable Performer: 7/25 - 7/31

The Juvenile graded stakes schedule heads back to the West Coast Sunday with the Best Pal Stakes (G2) at Del Mar.  Majestic City, the leader of the California 2-year-old division, will skip it and prepare for Del Mar Futurity (G1) in September. 

This week’s Notable Performers are out of the same maiden special race at Saratoga…

Notable Performances:

J C’s Pride

7/27/11 Saratoga Maiden Special chart / video / Beyer: 101 / BRIS: 107

Trainer: Robert Barbara

Jockey: Jose Lezcano

Articles: Saratogian / DRF / TTimes / Bloodhorse / Hand Rides [half way down] (Bloodhorse) / J C’s Pride sets record [halfway down] (Albany Times Union)

A bettor now has many tools at his or her disposal to decipher 2-year-old maiden races: pedigree stats, workout reports, trainer stats, and even advanced stride measurements. 

None of those tools were really needed to determine the favorite in the third race at Saratoga last Wednesday. 

J C’s Pride came into the race exiting a maiden special won by arguably the best 2-year-old in the nation Overdriven.  In that race J C’s Pride beat the 3^rd place finisher by over 13 lengths and recorded a top 5 Beyer speed figure among all racing juveniles.

In his 2^nd test on Wednesday he didn’t spring from the gate on fire- he was scorching.  The final time of 56.54 set a track record for 5 furlongs at prestigious Saratoga.

There are murmurs J C’s Pride will likely be sold, but a deal has not been published yet.

The colt has already changed owners three times at various auctions, topping out at $200,000 earlier this year.  He’s the son of Henny Hughes, who also had success at Saratoga by winning the Saratoga Special Stakes and finishing 2^nd in the Hopeful.  Although he finished a strong second in the 1 1/16 mile Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, he was best suited at sprints.  J C’s Pride is out of a Silver Deputy mare who is a half sister to 9 furlong grade 3 winner Blind Date.

His catalog page can be viewed here

Mr. Style

7/27/11 Saratoga Maiden Special chart / video / Beyer: 91

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

Mr. Style was in the unfortunate position of chasing the track record setter around the oval, but wound up almost 9 lengths clear of the rest of the field. His Beyer speed figure for that debut was a very respectable 91.  He didn’t quite level off until midway down the stretch, but even a professional lead change would not have been enough to win.

Another Pletcher/Velazquez juvenile with tons of potential, Mr. Style is the son of Bluegrass Cat, a serious Kentucky Derby trail participant in 2006 who finished second in the big race to the mighty Barbaro and was later 2^nd in the Belmont. His mother is a Tiznow mare who is a half sister to a six furlong stakes winner.

Mr. Style was a $135,000 purchase as a 2-year-old in training. His catalog page can be viewed here

Upcoming Graded 2YO Stakes:

8/7/11 Best Pal S. (G2) Nominations / PPs

Works:

7/26/11 Boltzapper CRC- 4F- 50:60- B- 12/26

7/26/11 Night Tide DMR- 5F- 1.00:80- H- 7/17

7/27/11 Mr. Besilu SAR- 4F- 51:00- B- 20/25

7/30/11 Hello Prince CRC- 4F- 50:20- B- 29/90 (W)

7/30/11 Worthington LS 4F- 52:00- B- 21/32

7/30/11 Canigotoo CD- 4F- 52:40 B- 30/33

7/31/11 Creative Cause DMR- 6F- 1.12:80- H- 8/14

Other News:

Small field for Best Pal [midway down article] (DRF)

Creative Cause on target for Best Pal (DRF)

The “They” factor (DRF)

Overdriven no longer overlooked (Bloodhorse)

Plether’s Prize 2-year-olds aiming for grade 1 stakes (DRF)

Majestic City to wait (North County Times)

Giant Surprise heads for surgery (Albany Times Union)

Top 2YO Speed Figures*:

Top winning 2yo BRIS figs last week: J C's Pride–107; Giant Surprise–95; Take Charge Indy–94; Shared Property–93.

Winning 2yo Beyers last week: J C's Pride–101; Giant Surprise–90; Take Charge Indy–84; Shared Property–75.

*Source: DerbyContenders Twitter

Futures:

2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile: Scores and Odds (8/2)

2012 Kentucky Derby: GoHorseBetting (8/1)

J C's Pride sets track record at Saratoga

Video: YouTube

Chart: pdf

Catalog Sheet: Keeneland Nov ‘09

Articles:  Saratogian / DRF / TTimes / Bloodhorse

More next week in the “Notable Performer” edition

Week In Review and Notable Performers: 6/27 - 7/3

Jack's In The Deck winning The Futurity S. (G2) at Belmont. Photo: Horsephotos.com

The Holiday weekend offered lots of action in the Juvenile division, including the first graded stakes of the year. Let’s get to it…

Graded Stakes Results:

Futurity S. (G2)

Winner: Jack’s In The Deck chart / video / Beyer: 69 / BRIS: 87

Trainer: Robin Graham

Jockey: Joe Bravo

Wrap-up articles: NYRA / DRF / Bloodhorse

Nothing like having your horse break his maiden in a prestigious grade 2 at Belmont.  That’s exactly what Skeedattle Stable’s Jack’s In The Deck did Sunday against a short field of 5 other juveniles.  Second favorite Team Six set the early lead but began to sputter into the stretch.  It appeared favored Tarpy’s Goal (CTD NP) was poised to make a move toward the front but he began to veer towards the stands.  That parted the seas for Jack’s In The Deck to split horses and hit the wire 4 lengths ahead.

Jack’s In The Deck is a son of Love of Money, a grade 2 winner at 1 1/8 miles.  The unraced dam is by Partner’s Hero who was best sprinting. For more info on his breeding you can read the TrueNicks article here.

While the breeding is modest and his stretch-out potential questionable, we’ll make him a CTD NP based on his big performance.

Bashford Manor S. (G3)

Winner: Exfactor (CTD NP) chart / video / Beyer: 82 / BRIS: 89

Trainer: Bernard Flint

Jockey: Calvin Borel

Wrap-Up Articles: Courier-Journal / Lexington Herald Leader / Bloodhorse / DRF

Taking advantage of a hot pace, Exfactor and Calvin Borel were able to begin the Bashford Manor Stakes in the back of the pack and slowly pick off the 6 challengers to win the first graded race for 2-year-olds.  Showing quick speed in his debut win, it was somewhat of a surprising tactic to hold him back Saturday, but it paid off and could pay off in spades further down the road.

He’ll head to Saratoga for a still to be determined race.  Quotes from trainer Bernie Flint were exuberant which is understandable, but confidence in the Breeders Cup Juvenile at this stage seems a little hasty.  The local newspaper even put “Derby 2012” in the headline, which doing so in July is especially premature. 

For more info on Exfactor and his breeding read the entry from June 14th here

Perhaps I need to see a head-on view, but it appears Sum Of The Parts was about to get going down the stretch just before Exfactor and Calvin Borel came into his lane.  Neither the chart or articles mention any interference, but I’m inclined to give Sum Of The Parts another chance in his next one.

Notable Performers:

Jack’s In The Deck

See Above

Overdriven

7/1/11 Belmont Maiden Special Weight: chart / video / Beyer: 100 / BRIS: 111

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

From the same team that brought us Uncle Mo (Pletcher/Velazquez/Repole), we now have a 2-year-old maiden breaker with the first triple digit Beyer speed figure of the year.  The blistering final time was less than three quarters of a second off the track record-- and Overdriven was merely flashed the whip.  Breaking awkward from the start he eventually came up to track behind J C’s Pride in the backstretch.  After the final turn he was encouraged by jockey John Velazquez to overtake the pacesetter and finish clear by 3 ½ lengths. It should be noted, while J C’s Pride finished a well beaten 2^nd, he was still 13 lengths ahead of the others and wound up with a high debut Beyer of 89.

Pletcher stated he was impressed with Overdriven's performance and will point to the Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga with either the Sanford (G2) or just training in between.

A $350,000 yearling purchase, Overdriven is a half-brother to Smooth Air who was a multiple grade 2 winner and Kentucky Derby entry.  His big scores came in distances from 7 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles, and along the Derby Trail he won the Hutcheson and finished 2^nd in the Florida Derby.

Overdriven’s sire is the successful Tale Of The Cat, whose runners have excelled at multiple distances and surfaces.

Note: The Pletcher/Velazquez/Repole tandem also had another impressive maiden winner in the 4^th race that day by the name of Zow.

Article: Hopeful the goal for Overdriven [Half-way down article] (DRF)

Hogy

7/2/11 Arlington Park Allowance Optional Claiming: chart / video / Beyer:85 / BRIS: 101

Trainer: Joel Berndt

Jockey: Florent Geroux

Hogy was able to stay undefeated by winning his second try at Arlington Park Saturday.  He allowed a speed duel to ensue up front and professionally bided his time before kicking into gear down the lane.  With the first 2-year-old stakes at Arlington still 3 months away, you have to believe his connections will move him to another circuit in the near future.

Hogy is the son of Offlee Wild, who was a fixture on the Derby Trail in 2003 by winning the Holy Bull and finishing 3^rd in the Bluegrass before ending up 12^th in the Kentucky Derby.  His most notable win would come 2 years later in the grade 1 Suburban at the Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles.  Hogy’s damsire Petionville also tried out on the Derby Trail with a win in the Louisiana Derby before lackluster performances in the Illinois Derby and Santa Anita Derby.  He would later win the Ohio Derby at 1 1/8 miles.

2YO Non-Graded Stakes Results:

7/2/11 D. S. Shine Young Memorial S. (R)- Evangeline Downs- Broadway King chart

7/2/11 Totah S.- Sun Ray Park- My Homey- chart

7/2/11 Lincoln Futurity- Lincoln- Undeniable Cherry (F) chart

7/2/11 Frank Gomez S.- Calder Race Course- Mel Beach (CTD NP Hello Prince 2^nd) chart

7/3/11 Clarendon S.- Woodbine- Making Amends chart

7/4/11 Northwest Stallion Strong Ruler S.- Emerald Downs- Chu and I chart 

Works:

6/29/11 Stark Ravin Mad: AP- 4F- 47:40- B- 2/34

6/30/11 Canigotoo: LS- 4F- 48:80- B- 2/11

6/30/11 Banner Bill: WO- 4F- 47:00- B- 1/30

6/30/11 Majestic City: HOL- 4F- 50:20- H- 26/36

7/3/11 Lil Cherokee: CD- 5F- 1:01.40- B- 4/11

Other News:

Algorithms CTD NP, another Pletcher trainee, has been taken out of the training due to a left hock injury. He is penciled in to return to training around August (DRF).

Top 2YO Speed Figures*

Top winning BRIS figs last week: Overdriven-111; Hogy-101; I'll Have Another-97; Zow & Broadway King-95; She Digs Me-95; Making Amends-92.

Winning Beyers last week: Overdriven-100; Hogy-85; I'll Have Another-83; Zow-73; Broadway King-82; She Digs Me-74; Making Amends-76.

*Source: DerbyContenders Twitter