Out of Bounds injured in work, no Kentucky Derby// Alpha leaning towards Florida Derby// Spring Hill Farm to prove himself in Tampa?

The start of new week is already beginning to look like last week- another serious Kentucky Derby contender was knocked off the trail Monday.  Sham (G3) winner Out of Bounds was found to have a condylar fracture to his left front ankle after a 5-furlong bullet workout at Hollywood Park.  Luckily it’s not displaced meaning he can return to racing after surgery and recovery// Hansen continues to grab headlines all over the country. Bob Ehalt of ESPN notes his slow final sixteenth time as well as the questionable field he beat.  A nice short blog post on ThoroEdge Equine Performance by Bill Pressey who mentions Hansen’s pre-Gotham “blowout” the day of the race could have been a contributing factor to how he was able to rate and relax.  He backs it up with a physiological explanation// Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was impressed with Hansen and is using the Gotham as an excuse to probably keep his leading contender Alpha in South Florida for the Florida Derby (G1).  He likes the spacing of the race, probable small field, and fact he can retain the riding services of Ramon Dominguez who rides both Hansen and Alpha.  McLaughlin was still considering the Wood Memorial (G1) for Alpha, mostly to avoid Union Rags, however the Wood now features an apparent revitalized and improved Hansen// Speaking of the Wood Memorial, an allowance race Wednesday at Aqueduct could produce a couple promising 3-year-olds that may take the next step up// Todd Pletcher’s Spring Hill Farm could be the favorite of Saturday’s Tampa Bay Derby (G2), but he won’t be too short priced with rivals Take Charge Indy, Battle Hardened, Reveron, and Prospective in the mix// New rankings and more below…

Articles and Videos

Out of Bounds suffers fracture in workout (Bloodhorse)

Tampa Bay Derby to have Pletcher standout (DRF)

Alpha looks headed to Florida Derby (DRF)

Inflation Target stretching out (DRF)

El Padrino was one cool yearling dude (Bloodhorse)

Under the Radar: Daddy Nose Best (DRF)

Hansen’s pre-Gotham blowout… (ThoroEdge Equine Performance)

Hansen planning return to trip to New York for Wood Memorial (DRF)

Hansen paints the town blue (ESPN Blog)

Newport doctor hits hit big with Kentucky Derby contender [with video] (WKRC-TV)

Monday training videos of El Padrino and Union Rags (Racing with Bruno)

After the Wire 3/4 [Video] (Bloodhorse)

Rankings

Steve Haskin’s Derby Dozen [with video] (Bloodhorse Blog)

Churchill Downs “Expert Picks” (Churchill Downs)

Works

Liaison- SA- 4F- 47:00- H-6/29

Drill- SA- 4F- 49:60- H- 22/29

Out of Bounds- HOL- 5F- 59:20- H- 1/23

Longview Drive- HOL- 5F- 1.01:00- H- 5/23

Swag Daddy- AQU- 5F- 1.01:42- B- 1/6

Stoney Fleece- SA- 4F- 50:40- H- 21/24

Z Dager- FG- 4F- 52:20- B- 46/46

Shared Property- FG- 4F- 48:60- B- 11/46

Ender Knievel- PMM- 5F- 1.01:22- B- 3/19

Notes and bits from web and Twitter:

Delta Jackpot winner Sabercat will run in the Rebel at Oaklawn @HRTVHOST- Scot Hazelton via Twitter

Hansen in good shape, will train in KY for Wood// San Felipe looks strong// Tons of Sunday workouts// Field the favorite in KDFW #2

Team Hansen seemed pleased Sunday with how the colt came out of his Gotham (G3) victory and for what lies ahead. He will ship to Turfway Park and train for a likely start back at Aqueduct for the Wood Memorial (G1) on April 7^th// The San Felipe (G2) Saturday may consist of the most accomplished cast we’ve seen so far in a Kentucky Derby prep.  Graded stakes winners Out of Bounds, Sabercat, Liaison, and Creative Cause could lead the list, although the latter two are unconfirmed for the race.  The San Felipe may also feature stakes-placed runners Rousing Sermon, American Act and Empire Way as well as several intriguing stakes debuts by promising late bloomers Fed Biz and Bodemeister.  Many of those probables worked Sunday at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park. Workout details are below// Iroquois Stakes (G3) winner Motor City could very well make his 2012 debut in Saturday’s Swale (G2) at Gulftream, but the race might not set up well for his closing running style according to trainer Ian Wilkes// Julien Leparoux has a blog hosted by ESPN. In the latest entry he says distance will not be an issue for Union Rags// The Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool #2 closed Sunday with ‘All Others’ (3-1) favored over Union Rags (4-1). Hansen is the third choice at 9-1 with the other individual entries getting pretty juicy odds…

Articles

Wood Memorial likely next stop for Hansen (Bloodhorse)

Hansen to train at Turfway for Wood (Brisnet)

Hansen owner looks forward to Kentucky Derby (USA Today)

Gotham Day- Three great Stakes that race well together (Staten Island Advance)

Hansen shows his versatility in winning Gotham (Courier Journal)

Contentious San Felipe shaping up (Bloodhorse)

Out of Bounds to work Monday for San Felipe (Brisnet)

Kentucky Derby Future Pool 2: Field (3-1) slight favorite over Union Rags (4-1) (DRF)

On Union Rags (Julien Leparoux Blog via ESPN)

Wilkes eyeing next start for Motor City (The Downey Profile)

Works

How Do I Win BEL- 5F- 1.01:20 B- 5/19 (Good)

Chips All In SA- 4F- 52:40- H- 3/3 (Turf)

Midnight Transfer- SA- 4F- 49:00- H- 40/59

Secret Circle- SA- 5F- 1.00:40- H- 18/66

Bodemeister- SA- 5F- 1.00:40- H- 18/66

Daddy Nose Best- SA- 5F- 1.02:00- H- 53/66

Sabercat- SA- 6F- 1.12:60- H- 5/20

Unbridled's Note- OP- 5F- 1.02:00- B- 11/35

Ancient Rome- AQU- 4F- 47:97- B- 2/11

Reckless Jerry- OP- 6F- 1.13:60- B- 1/3

Jake Mo OP- 4F- 47:80- B- 2/73

Rousing Sermon- HOL- 4F- 46:60- H- 1/22

Take Charge Indy- PMM- 4F- 49:66- B- 8/36

Motor City PMM- 5F- 1.01:82- B- 3/23

Windsurfer PMM- 4F- 49:91- B- 17/36

Spotlight on Hollendorfer for El Camino, 10 entered// Liaison to ship// 6 work for Southwest// Even more rankings

No surprises with the release of entries for Saturday’s El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields.  Jerry Hollendorfer is grabbing all of the early headlines given he has two entered- a filly Lady of Fifty, and the favorite Russian Greek- and he’s going for his sixth El Camino trophy.  The same connections of 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom have entered Lucky Chappy, who will make his first start off turf.  Handsome Mike, 4^th last time out in the Sham (G3), will try a supposed easier spot up North and Steve Asmussen ships in Daddy Nose Best.  The rest of the field along with past performances and race replays (coming soon) can be viewed on the upcoming page here// Eoin Harty seems extremely pleased with Sham winner Out of Bounds in recent training and is still pointing for the San Felipe (G2)// Liaison, who was the victim of a very troubled trip in the Sham where he clipped heels and dumped his rider, returned to the work tab Wednesday.  Trainer Bob Baffert revealed the colt will most likely ship to the Fairgrounds or Oaklawn Park for his next effort// The Southwest Stakes, which may have to be plural considering a possible split race scenario, continues to grab tons of headlines.  Six contenders worked at Oaklawn including three with Kentucky Derby winning trainers- Lynn Whiting, 1992 winning trainer, worked Cyber Secret for 4-furlongs; John Servis of Smarty Jones fame in 2004 has Adirondack King, who also worked 4 panels; and four-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas sent Optimizer to the track for a quick 5-furlong breeze.  Full workout details below// Nice article from Gary West at ESPN who covers some of the trials, tribulations, theories, questions, and unknowns of the Derby Trail// more…

Articles

El Camino Real Derby Previews: Bloodhorse /Brisnet / Sports Network

Oaklawn barn notes 2/15 [Southwest news round-up] (Oaklawn Park)

Southwest sees return of Servis, Elliott (DRF)

Whiting back with another shot 20 years after victory (DRF)

Baffert goes after another Southwest at Oaklawn (Miami Herald)

Harty taking it easy with Out of Bounds (TTimes)

Liaison back to work, looking out of town (DRF)

On the bumpy road to the Derby (ESPN)

Union Rags, Algorithms top Fountain of Youth nominations (The Downey Profile)

Union Rags remains at top of the Kentucky Derby list (DRF)

Who’s hot who’s not Feb 15 (DRF)

Kentucky Derby report Feb 15 (Brisnet)

Rankings
DRF Derby Watch Top 20 (DRF)

Mike Curry’s Top 50 (TTimes)

Works

Optimizer- OP- 5F- 1.00:20- B- 1/15

Big Wednesday- OP- 5F- 1.01:60- B- 5/15

Atigun- OP- 5F- 1.02:40- B- 9/15

Adirondack King- OP- 4F- 49:40- B- 4/32

Z Rockstar- OP- 4F- 49:80- B- 7/32

Cyber Secret- OP- 4F- 50:20- B- 12/32 

Ancient Rome- AQU- 4F- 49:66- B- 2/4

Liaison- SA- 4F- 47:00- H- 3/21

Night Tide- SA- 4F- 47:80- H- 6/24

Rousing Sermon- HOL- 4F- 49:40- H- 13/19

Twelve Hundred- HAW- 6F- 1.15:60- B- 3/3

Union Rags quick in work, Take Charge Indy quicker// Stephanoatsee off the trail// Sam F. Davis & Southwest get interests

The arduous Derby trail claimed another contender with the injury announcement of Stephanoatsee. Last year’s Kentucky Derby winning trainer Graham Motion said “It’s disappointing. I was starting to get a little excited”.  The Count Fleet runner-up and half-brother to Preakness winner Shackleford should be back in training in 2 months// Union Rags seems to be rounding into form quickly.  His third move since the layoff was a snappy 1 minute and 4/5 seconds for five furlongs. The bullet went to another CTD Contender Take Charge Indy who was more than a full second quicker// It was confirmed that San Pedro Stakes winner Midnight Transfer will stretch out next in the San Felipe (G2) in early March, a race which should also draw Sham (G3) winner Out of Bounds.  Bob Baffert blamed a bad ride for Drill’s poor effort in the San Pedro, which is not unusual for the trainer to do.  I don’t think it mattered, as the colt has clearly not shown any gameness down the stretch in his last four races// Jeff Bonde confirmed Majestic Stride will try the two-turn Southwest (G3) next.  He believes the son of Trippi can handle the added distance, while many believe pedigree says no// The Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs always draws some sneaky horses just below the radar- often ones with trainers that want to avoid the tough Gulfstream circuit.  The race is less than two weeks away, but there haven’t been many indications of who will make the field… until now.  Neck n’ Neck and Chief Energy, two maiden winners, are pointing for the race along with Grade 3 winner Prospective// I’m always a sucker for Kentucky Derby trends, and Jeff Scott at the Saratogian reveals 4 of the past 5 winners started their sophomore campaigns in March.  They are among a group of only 18 Kentucky Derby entries in the past 5 years to do so, with the other 82 entries starting in January or February. Looking even further back, famous Derby winners Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Alysheba, and Sunday Silence all started their 3-year-old campaigns in March as well.  Makes you wonder about the January and February graded stakes we pay so much attention to…  

Articles

Stephanoatsee off Derby trail with pastern injury (DRF)

Union Rags has sharp work prepping for Fountain of Youth (DRF)

Midnight Transfer to go long in San Felipe (DRF)

Dan Illman: Midnight Transfer thoughts (DRF Blog)

Majestic Stride targets Southwest Stakes after maiden win (DRF)

Two [Neck n’ Neck and Chief Energy] headed to Tampa for Sam F. Davis (DRF)

Derby trail’s late starters (The Saratogian)

3-year-olds to watch 1/24 (In The Money Blog)

Liquidity Trap tries again at same level (DRF)

Mr. Bowling game in LeComte Stakes [pedigree profile] (Iron Maidens Thoroughbreds]

Rankings

Paulick Derby Index

Works:

Optimizer- OP- 5F- 1.03:20- B- 10/12

Ancient Rome- PMM- 4F- 49:88- B- 16/31

Union Rags- PMM- 5F- 1.00:82- B- 2/28

Take Charge Indy- PMM- 5F- 59:78- B- 1/28

Hakama- FH- 5F- 1.01:00- B- 2/4

Speed Figures*

Winning 3yo Beyers last week: Castaway-89; Midnight Transfer-93; Pulpit's Express-86; Prayer Meeting-87; King and Crusader-86

Top winning 3yo BRIS figs last week: Castaway-102; Midnight Transfer-101; Pulpit's Express-100; Prayer Meeting-99; King and Crusader-97

*Source: DerbyContenders Twitter

Week In Review 1/4 - 1/10

Alpha wins the Count Fleet S. at Aqueduct.  Photo: Horsephotos.com

With 2012 Kentucky Derby related news, rankings, races, and works ramping up on a daily basis, this will be the final Week in Review.  From here until Kentucky Derby the site will be updated on a daily basis.  Please check back often…

Out of Bounds entered the Derby trail discussion with a forceful finishing move in the Sham (G3) at Santa Anita.  His dosage is a whopping 6.00 which doesn’t really suggest he’ll like the Derby distance// Highly regarded Alpha took a step in the right direction with his win in the Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct.  It was a good win, but who he beat remains to be seen// Another buzz horse, Pletcher’s Discreet Dancer passed his allowance test at Gulfstream in a very professional manner.  The debate still lingers if he’s a 1 1/4 mile horse as well.

A big blow to the Romans barn with the injury to Remsen (G2) winner O’Prado Again.  He’ll take 2 months off and point to Summer races//  Another Romans runner, Dullahan, will have a two race prep schedule that includes starts on turf (Palm Beach G2) and poly (Bluegrass S. G1)// Talk of a filly or two possibly joining the Kentucky Derby cast seems to occur closer to the race, but this year two-time graded stakes winner (both at Churchill Downs) On Fire Baby could test colts as soon as January 16th in the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn// Peruvian import Fly Lexis Fly is in the hands of Neil Drysdale and will be pointed to the Kentucky Derby trail most likely via the Southern California circuit.  He’s already won at the Derby and Belmont distances// Ever So Lucky, runner-up of the KY Jockey Club (G2) in November, is recovering from bone bruising and pointing for the 7F Hutcheson (G2) at Gulfstream// Currency Swap is also recovering and soon returning to training.  No next race plans were given, but the Hopeful (G1) winner and 98 Beyer earner is one to watch// Gulfstream Park Derby winner Reveron will skip the Holy Bull (G3) and either wait for the Fountain of Youth (G2) or find an earlier race.

Graded Stakes Review

Sham S. (G3)

Winner: Out of Bounds

Trainer: Eoin Harty

Jockey: Garret Gomez

Chart: Equibase chart

Video: Bloodhorse Replay / LA Times Video Interview with Garret Gomez

Beyer/BRIS: 99/104

Articles: Bloodhorse / TTimes / DRF

Graded Earnings List

Unofficial CTD List current as of 1/7/11

Non-Graded Stakes:

Count Fleet S.

Winner: Alpha

Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin

Jockey: Ramon Dominguez

Chart: Equibase chart

Video: YouTube

Beyer/BRIS: 85/100

Articles: TTimes / Bloodhorse / DRF

Turfway Prevue S.

Winner: Mr. Prankster
Trainer: Michael Maker

Jockey: John McKee

Chart: Equibase chart

Video: Bloodhorse Replay

Futures:

Wynn Las Vegas 1/9/11

Lucky’s 1/8/11

Articles:

O’Prado Again out of Derby with condylar fracture (Courier Journal Blog)

South American stars join Drysdale stable [Fly Lexis Fly pointing for Kentucky Derby] (Racing Post)

On Fire Baby could meet boys in Smarty Jones (Courier Journal)

Maritimer could pursue Kentucky Derby (Courier Journal Blog)

Reveron skipping Holy Bull [midway down article] (DRF)

Sheppard taking his time with Ever So Lucky [also info on Currency Swap] (DRF)

Seven Lively Sins pointing for Lecomte (Courier Journal Blog)

California Derby appears wide open (DRF)

Alpha on Derby path for Godolphin (Bloodstock.com.au)

Is this the year for Sheik Mohammed in the Derby? (DRF Blog)

Alpha still learning gate behavior (DRF)

Discreet Dancer breaking out (ESPN)

The top 20 Triple Crown noisemakers (ESPN)

Kentucky Derby contenders abound (ESPN)

An early look at Kentucky Derby contenders (The Saratogian)

3-year-olds to watch 1/10/12 (In The Money Blog)

Holy Bull Stakes awaits Hansen (Miami Herald)

Hansen’s sharp work tops busy morning (DRF)

Hansen on exciting run (Courier Journal)

About Hansen naming his horse Hansen (Courier Journal Blog)

Hansen’s rise a boon to Churchill worker (Courier Journal Blog)

Young horses keep veteran trainer Bernie Flint feeling young (The Times-Picayune)

Eclipse Awards…What is the debate about? (Emerald Downs)

Petals on the path: the race to the 2012 Kentucky Derby (SI Live)

Countdown to the Crown: Week 1 (DRF)

Works:

1/4/12 Night Tide SA- 4F- 49:60- H- 19/25

1/4/12 Sweet Swap SA- 5F- 59:80- H- 3/22

1/4/12 Margano GP- 5F- 1.00:65- H- 2/5

1/4/12 Take Charge Indy PMM- 4F- 50:92- B- 14/17

1/4/12 Canigotoo EVT- 4F- 51:86- B- 24/45

1/5/12 Optimizer OP- 5F- 1.01:20- B- 2/33

1/5/12 Cyber Secret OP- 5F- 1.02:00- B- 4/33

1/6/12 Fort Loudon CRC- 5F- 1.02:80- B- 3/7

1/6/12 Friscan FH- 6F- 1.15:20- B- 1/1

1/6/12 Creative Cause HOL- 4F- 48:00- H- 2/22

1/6/12 Drill HOL- 5F- 59:60- H- 2/28

1/6/12 Liaison SA- 5F- 1.02:80- H- 41/54

1/6/12 Brother Francis SA- 5F- 1.02:60- H- 36/54

1/6/12 Rousing Sermon SA- 6F- 1.14:20- H- 2/12

1/6/12 Unbridled's Note SA- 4F- 50:60- H- 31/36

1/7/12 Consortium PMM- 4F- 51:44- B- 35/38

1/7/12 State of Play TB- 4F- 50:00- B- 33/79

1/7/12 Indian Ambush GP- 5F- 1.01:60- B- 12/31

1/7/12 O'Prado Again GP- 4F- 51:30- B- 54/64

1/7/12 Dullahan GP- 4F- 51:10 B- 52/64

1/7/12 Hansen GP- 5F- 1.00:40- H- 2/31

1/7/12 Basmati HOL- 4F- 49:60- H- 22/39

1/7/12 Hammers Terror FG- 5F- 59:60- B- 1/67

1/7/12 Team Six FH- 3F- 36:00- B- 2/5

1/7/12 Shared Property FG- 6F- 1.14:80- B- 3/6

1/7/12 Seven Lively Sins FG- 5F- 1.00:40- B- 6/67

1/7/12 Brown Eyed Jozi LA- 5F-1.05:00- B- 1/2

1/7/12 Hello Prince CRC- 5F- 1.02:60- B- 10/64

1/7/12 For Oby CRC- 5F- 1.06:00- B- 61/64

1/7/12 Exfactor FG- 5F- 1.01:00- B- 6/43

1/8/12 Jake Mo OP- 5F- 1.01:80- B- 3/37

1/8/12 Seeker FG- 4F- 50:60- B- 58/81

1/8/12 Burning Time CRC- 4F- 50:00- B- 10/26

1/8/12 Stat PMM- 4F- 51:14- B- 30/31

1/9/12 Chips All In SA- 4F- 51:40- H- 33/34

1/9/12 Algorithms PMM- 5F- 1.02:20- B- 8/14

1/9/12 Dan and Sheila PMM- 5F- 1.00:44- B- 1/14

1/9/12 El Padrino PMM- 5F- 1.00:44- B- 1/14

1/9/12 Mr. Bowling FG- 5F- 58:80- B- 1/24

1/9/12 Class President FG- 4F- 52:60- B- 41/45

1/10/12 Thursby PMM- 5F- 1.03:04- B- 3/11 (Turf)

1/10/12 Right to Vote PMM- 4F- 52:00- B- 31/31

Speed Figures

Winning 3yo Beyers last week: Out of Bounds-99; Gentlemen's Bet-89; Alpha-85; Consulado-86; Discreet Dancer-96; Three Vases-81

Top winning 3yo BRIS figs last week: Out of Bounds-105; Gentlemen's Bet-102; Alpha-100; Consulado-100; Discreet Dancer-98; Three Vases-96

*Source: DerbyContenders Twitter

Notes and bits from the web and Twitter:

-Dale Romans is looking at two-prep Derby campaign for Dullahan: Palm Beach on turf, Blue Grass on poly- Jennie Rees Twitter

-A-W Futurity winner Shared Property, stakes-winning Mr. Bowling and Seven Lively Sins headed to FG's $175K Lecomte on Jan. 21- Jennie Rees Twitter

- Neck 'n Neck, 2nd to Discreet Dancer in GP allowance, looking at Feb. 4 Sam Davis at Tampa, tr. Ian Wilkes says- Jennie Rees Twitter

Out Of Bounds, Alpha, Discreet Dancer move along Derby Trail

Out of Bounds winning the Sham S. (G3) at Santa Anita. Photo: Horsephotos.com

Sham S. (G3)

Winner: Out of Bounds

Trainer: Eoin Harty

Jockey: Garret Gomez

Chart: Equibase chart

Video: Bloodhorse Replay / LA Times Video Interview with Garret Gomez

Beyer/BRIS: 99/104

Articles: Bloodhorse / TTimes / DRF

Count Fleet S.

Winner: Alpha

Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin

Jockey: Ramon Dominguez

Chart: Equibase chart

Video: Bloodhorse Replay

Beyer/BRIS: 85/100

Articles: TTimes / Bloodhorse / DRF

Turfway Prevue S.

Winner: Mr. Prankster
Trainer: Michael Maker

Jockey: John McKee

Chart: Equibase chart

Video: Bloodhorse Replay

Other Notable Races:

Gulfstream Park- Race #7- AOC- 1 Mile

Winner: Discreet Dancer

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

Chart: Equibase chart

Video: Bloodhorse Replay

Beyer/BRIS: 96/99

Articles: Bloodhorse / DRF