Chasing The Derby: Longview Drive

Trainer Mike Harrington discusses some possible chess moves with his two top Kentucky Derby Contenders. After Sunday’s San Vicente (G2), Creative Cause is likely to ship to Arkansas for the Rebel (G2) in order to stay away from Empire Way and his quest to accumulate Graded Earnings in the San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita. First things first however, Harrington is hoping Creative Cause shows some progression from his juvenile campaign in the San Vicente. He reiterated that the horse does not necessarily have to win, especially considering he has enough in Graded Earnings for the Derby// With possibly 21 interests in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn, it’s not surprising that workouts have occurred all throughout the week, even on the Friday before Monday’s race. Longview Drive, 3^rd in both the Sham (G3) and Delta Jackpot (G3), lit up the track with a 4-furlong move in 48:20. Najjaar also worked at Oaklawn in what appears on paper to be a good move, but trainer Danny Peitz decided he’ll skip the Southwest and look for a longer race seeing as the son of Jazil likes to drop far back in the early going. Apprehender, a quick maiden winner at Oaklawn who earned a 98 Beyer speed figure, could be on the outside looking in if the Southwest does not split into two divisions. He sits towards the bottom of contender earnings and will have to await the draw Saturday. If he does race, it will be without blinkers, which he wore in his debut// Further south and east, Sam F. Davis (G3) winner Battle Hardened worked a modest 4-panels at Palm Meadows. He is still likely for the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on March 10// Some good fact-finding by Dick Downey reveals Irish trainer Aiden O’Brien is unlikely to point Wrote, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and #4 on the Graded Earnings list, to the Kentucky Derby// Yet another impressive maiden winner made himself known Thursday. Sir Bond dominated in his fourth career start at the Fair Grounds, where he covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1.45:12 to earn a 91 Beyer figure. Trainer Neil Howard said he would like to move ahead slowly with the colt and look for an allowance for his next race.

For complete coverage on Saturday’s El Camino Real Derby and Sunday’s San Vicente check out the race page here

Articles

CA Derby and Oaks Champs vie in El Camino Real Derby (Iron Maidens Thoroughbred Blog)

Kentucky Derby hopefuls get Bay Area showcase (The Sacramento Bee)

San Vicente merely a starting point for Creative Cause (DRF)

West Coast’s Creative Cause begins march towards Kentucky Derby on Sunday (LA Daily News)

Creative Cause set for launch in San Vicente (TTimes)

Carava says American Act is improving (The Downey Profile)

Longview Drive sharpens for crowded Southwest (DRF)

Najjaar declared out of Southwest (The Downey Profile)

Southwest could be split into two divisions (Bloodhorse)

Sir Bond impresses with maiden win (DRF)

Baffert back in the mix (Bloodhorse Blog)

Gotham shaping up strong (DRF)

Battle Hardened breezes at Palm Meadows (Bloodhorse)

Write him off [Wrote] (The Downey Profile)

Castellano made the right call (ESPN)

Kentucky Derby bubble at $120,000 (The Brock Talk Blog)

The long and winding road (Courier Journal Hansen Blog)

Hovdey: Colorless ruling lacks common sense (DRF)

Road to the Derby- El Camino and San Vicente (Courier Journal)

Countdown to the Crown 2/17 (DRF)

Videos

Interview with Michael Matz on Union Rags (Gulfstream Park)

Derby Watch 2/17 (DRF)

Picks

The Commish’s picks- San Vicente (The Downey Profile)

Works

Battle Hardened- PMM- 4F- 49:80- B- 11/14

Howe Great- PMM- 5F- 1.06:05- B- 10/11

Longview Drive- OP- 4F- 48:20- B- 2/57

Najjaar- OP- 5F- 1.01:60- B- 2/58

Exfactor FG- 4F- 50:00- B- 33/64

Notes and bits from web and Twitter:

“Dullahan is back on the track at GP after fighting a cough that effected many on the backside ~ caught the eye jogging this AM - he grew up!”- Grade1Racing via Twitter

“John Shirreffs told me last night that he is serious considering the San Felipe for Blingo...John seems to have a lot of confidence in him”- Larry Zapeye via Twitter

“Ken McPeek told us that Atigun will likely scratch from the Southwest; has a foot issue. 90% out this AM, but we'll see how it develops”- TVGResearch via Twitter

By far the most interesting Kentucky Derby related news for Sunday was the decision by Javier Castellano to ride Algorithms instead of Union Rags in the Fountain of Youth (G2) February 26th. Not much explanation was given so of course the debate begins. Was the decision based on which horse he felt has a better shot in the Kentucky Derby or did it come down to loyalty to Todd Pletcher? We’ll have the answer soon as to whether it was the right decision, but you have to feel both envy and empathy for the choice he had to make. Algorithms and Union Rags have both shown raw talent, ratability, and poise and many feel they are the two best current prospects- a belief somewhat confirmed in the Future Wager pool that just ended. Julien Leaparoux had the good fortune of being trainer Michael Matz’s first replacement choice to ride Union Rags. Known to be a top jockey and calm rider, Leparoux in the irons should not deter any backers of Union Rags// Creative Cause fired a bullet 4-furlong move at Santa Anita, his final serious move before Saturday’s one-turn San Vicente (G2). He’ll likely only face 4 other rivals, including Secret Circle (who is also still listed as a probably for the Southwest at Oaklawn), Smoking G, American Act, and Captain Obvious// The potential field for the Risen Star (G2) at the Fairgrounds became a little more clear. El Padrino, Z Dager, Mr. Bowling, Shared Property, Mark Valeski, and Optimizer are all scheduled for the February 25^th showdown// Longview Drive will ship to Oaklawn for the Southwest// Pool #1 for the Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool closed at 6pm EST today. Wagering set a record with $631,304 in bets, up 6.6% from last year. With Union Rags and the field getting bet down to 7-1 and 3-2 respectively, there were some nice odds to be had on other serious contenders for the Kentucky Derby. Midnight Transfer 67-1, Take Charge Indy 42-1, I’ll Have Another 29-1, Discreet Dancer 30-1, and even Fed Biz at 21-1 could be much lower on Derby day with a win or two on the trail//

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool #1

Final Odds and Will Pays

Articles

Castellano opts to ride Algorithms over Union Rags in Fountain of Youth (DRF)

Castellano to ride Algorithms, not Union Rags (Zipse at the Track Blog)

Union Rags developing nicely for Matz, physically and mentally (TTimes)

Creative Cause gears up for San Vicente Stakes (DRF)

Longview Drive to ship for Southwest (Brisnet)

Risen Star field taking shape (The Downey Profile)

Princess Arabella stays perfect with easy allowance win (DRF)

Late bloomers might have edge in Run for the Roses (Lexington Herald Leader)

Pletcher’s barn loaded again, but trainer wary of pitfalls (Lexington Herald Leader)