Weekend Review: Vyjack’s Gotham victory, analysis// Key works by Flashback, Goldencents, Verrazano, more// KDFW Pool #2 closes// more…

Gotham Stakes (G3)

Winner (pts): Vyjack (50)

2nd, 3rd, 4th (pts): West Hills Giant (20), Elnaawi (10), Siete de Oros (5)

Chart: Equibase

Replay: YouTube

Beyer/BRIS: 93/99

Wrap-ups: NYRA / Bloodhorse / Brisnet / DRF

CTD Analysis: Taking dirt in the early going, swinging wide and racing that way the rest of the race, and unleashing a devastating late kick down the stretch, Vyjack was much the best in Saturday’s Gotham (G3). His journey was all the more impressive considering it was a large field and the pace was also slow. The Beyer and BRIS speed ratings came back a respectable 93/99, but they don’t jump off the page. Some will question Vyjack’s competition, but on paper it was not as weak as some other recent Kentucky Derby points races. The lone graded stakes winner, Overanalyze, was coming off a 4-month layoff after winning the Remsen (G2), and that race continues to not hold up well. Still, others had raced admirably in past graded company and a few like Elnaawi showed promise winning impressive maidens.

Distance did not seem to be an issue for Vyjack visually, although his pedigree on both sides doesn’t shout 10 furlongs. The next challenge in the Wood Memorial (G1) will be a stiff test with the added distance and presence of highly touted Revolutionary.

While Vyjack deservedly gets most of the attention for his victory, there were a couple traffic jams worth mentioning. 2nd place finisher West Hills Giant bore in from the 10 post and closed off the lane for Elnaawi, causing the colt and jockey Channing Hill to leap and alter course. Elnaawi still fought the bit on the backstretch but was able to make a good closing run just inside of Vyjack. The assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was encouraged with the stakes debut and will train the colt up to the Wood. West Hills Giant will also move on to the Wood, and while the betting public was surprised with his performance the colt’s connections claim he was training forwardly. He did dictate a mild pace, which could be a challenge to repeat farther down the trail.

The beginning of the race was tight for a lot of others, including 4th place Siete de Oros. One of the few who got away with little harm, aside from the winner, was favorite Overanalyze. Jockey John Velazquez had no excuse for his charge’s empty effort other than wondering if perhaps he needed the race. Unfortunately, I think there’s a good chance Overanalyze’s best racing is behind him.

Updated Kentucky Derby Points Standings

Non-points races:

3/3/13

Palm Beach Stakes (G3)

Winner: Rydilluc

Chart: Equibase

Replay: YouTube

Beyer: 89 (Preliminary)

Wrap-ups: Gulfstream Park / Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet

3/2/13

Swale Stakes (G3)

Winner: Clearly Now

Chart: Equibase

BRIS: 98

Wrap-ups: Gulfstream Park / Bloodhorse / DRF

Gazebo Stakes

Winner: King Henny

Chart: Equibase

Wrap-ups: DRF

John Battaglia Memorial Stakes

Winner: General Election

Chart: Equibase

Beyer: 85

Wrap-ups: Bloodhorse / Brisnet / Courier Journal

Texas Heritage Stakes

Winner: Departing

Chart: Equibase

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool #2

Mutuel field, Verrazano favored in KDFW (Brisnet)

Articles:

Gotham Stakes 1-2-3 set for rematch in Wood Memorial (DRF)

The curious case of Vyjack (Horseracing Nation)

Flashback has eventful work for San Felipe (DRF)

Goldencents works for San Felipe (DRF)

Java’s War, Frac Daddy, Pure Fun work well for McPeek (DRF)

Verrazano breezes half mile for Tampa Bay Derby (Brisnet)

Pletcher works ‘Bobby (Bloodhorse)

Rankings:

Star-Ledger Kentucky Derby Watch list (Star-Ledger)

Workouts:

Sunday

Clawback- AQU- 3F- 36:27- B- 1/3

Flashback- SA- 5F- 59:00- H- 1/63

Den's Legacy- SA- 5F- 59:40- H- 3/63

Power Broker- SA- 6F- 1.12:60- H- 3/5

Carving- SA- 6F- 1.13:60- H- 4/5

Manando- SA- 6F- 1.12:40- H- 1/5

Brown Almighty- OP- 5F- 1.00:60- B- 1/29

Verrazano- PMM- 4F- 48:39- B- 9/52

Capo Bastone- PMM- 4F- 49:40- B- 31/52

Revolutionary- PMM- 4F- 49:85- B- 39/52

Falling Sky- PMM- 5F- 59:78- B- 1/21

Delhomme- PMM- 5F- 1.00:85- B- 5/21

Park City- PMM- 5F- 1.00:85- B- 5/21

Shanghai Bobby- PMM- 5F- 1.00:90- B- 10/21

Dynamic Sky- PMM- 5F- 1.01:87- B- 14/21

Saturday

Frac Daddy- GP- 4F- 48:08- B- 5/40

Java's War- GP- 5F- 59:89- B- 1/33

Honorable Dillon- PMM- 4F- 47:89- B- 4/30

Goldencents- SA- 6F- 1.11:60- B- 1/3

Big Lute- OP- 4F- 49:60- B- 21/71

Texas Bling- OP- 5F- 1.01:00- B- 4/56

Itsmyluckyday- CRC- 5F- 1.01:60- H- 1/16

Sky Commander- OTC- 5F- 1.02:00- B- 6/11

Nina's Dragon- GG- 5F- 1.02:00- H- 2/49

Bullet move for Flashback ahead of Bob Lewis// Revolutionary could face 6 in Withers// Purple Egg ready to hit track again

Summary:

Bob Baffert’s maiden winner Flashback blitzed 5-furlongs Monday morning in 59:40 at Santa Anita on what was labeled a “Wet Fast” track. The move was the fastest of 20 works, and while there were no follow-up stories, we were left with a Tweet from Bob Baffert stating he went “great”.  Many are eager to see how Flashback handles stakes company Saturday in the Robert Lewis (G2) and whether he can extend all of the hype into the next chapter of the trail// Derby chatter also continues for maiden winner Revolutionary, but it doesn’t look like he’ll face much on Saturday in the Withers (G3) at Aqueduct. Of the seven horses pointing towards the race, the most accomplished is restricted stakes winner Smooth Bert. Siete de Oros will take some money at the windows based on his admirable defeat to Vyjack in the Jerome (G2) earlier in the month. Others considered probable for the Withers include Long River, Valid, and Amerigo Vespucci// Undefeated Purple Egg is set to begin training again soon. Trainer Jane Cibelli said he’s finally recovered from the effects of a fever and will hopefully be ready for the Tampa Bay Derby March 9// Gulfstream Park listed only four horses who are probable for the Hutcheson (G2) Saturday: Merit Man, Singanothersong, Honorable Dillon, and Pataky Kid// Holy Bull quotes, thoughts, and analysis keep pouring in// more…

Articles:

Holy Bull top two to skip Fountain of Youth and await Florida Derby (DRF)

Wolf puts Bobby’s loss in perspective: ‘He ran a heck of a race’ (Courier Journal Blog)

Holy Bull adds confusion to Derby (ABR Blog)

Trip notes: Holy Bull (DRF)

The Kentucky Derby & Breeders’ Cup Juvenile: world’s apart (SB Nation)

After the wire 1/27/13 [video] (Bloodhorse)

Sam F. Davis stakes part of Kentucky Derby points system (Horserace Insider)

Purple Egg almost ready to resume training (DRF)

Siete de Oros comes into Withers much shorter price than in Jerome (DRF)

Injury list (Horseracing Nation)

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

2013 Kentucky Derby points vs. graded stakes earnings (Horseracing Nation)

Workouts:

Proud Strike- FG- 5F- 1.03:00- B- 18/23

War Academy- SA- 5F- 1.01:40 H- 3/4 (Turf)

Flashback- SA- 5F- 59:40- H- 1/20 (Wet Fast)

Vyjack- AQU- 5F- 1.03:03- B- 1/7

Smooth Bert- BEL- 5F- 1.02:45- B- 7/17 

Daily Feed: Zito back in Derby mix?// Next race plans for Vyjack and O’Neill prospects// McLaughlin pointing 2 to Withers// Contender lists from Haskin and more…

Summary:

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez says the Kentucky Derby is not on his mind just yet for recent Jerome Stakes (G2) winner Vyjcak, but it’s hard to believe him.  The colt will get a little break and re-emerge in the Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct March 2nd.  In the meantime, Rodriguez will try to work on getting Vyjack to relax more// Connections for 2nd place finisher Siete de Oros will target the Withers (G3) on February 2.  Ramon Preciado, the owner/trainer, said the addition of blinkers in the Jerome seemed to have helped// Goldencents will have one or two more races before the Derby.  Trainer Doug O’Neill said the colt came out of the race fine, yet no specific race plans are set.  The Robert Lewis (G2) at Santa Anita on February 2nd is not likely for Goldencents, seeing as O’Neill is pointing Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up He’s Had Enough to the race.  The trainer also indicated that Avare, winner of the Eddie Logan Stakes, will ship to Oaklawn for the Smarty Jones Stakes January 21st// Kiaran McLaughlin hopes to have two contenders in the Withers, but neither appears to be a threat at this point.  Long River will come off a dissapointing 4th in the Jerome, while Valid, a half brother to Malibu Prayer, broke his maiden at Laurel// Nick Zito is trying to take things slow with recent maiden breakers Eton Blue and Mountain Eagle.  The former is a son of Giant’s Causeway out of the Kentucky Oaks winning mare Bird Town.  Zito mentioned a lot of trainers are waiting to take their best shots later in the Derby season when Derby points are higher// Contender lists and rankings are starting to pop up, including the first from well-respected Steve Haskin of The Bloodhorse.  He has Violence in the top spot, which is not too surprising, but by placing Power Broker at #2 Haskin seems to be instigating a debate more so than making any kind of strong case.  Power Broker’s weak performance in the Breeders’ Cup and long break from training should raise a serious red flag// more…   

Articles:

Goldencents will get one or two preps for Kentucky Derby (DRF)

Doug O’Neill and Rick Pitino lead the way on the Kentucky Derby trail (Louisville.com)

Vyjack will likely await Gotham in March (DRF)

Zito-trained Eton Blue possible Derby material (DRF)

McLaughlin has two possible for Withers (DRF)

Pasco, Gasparilla draw accomplished nominees (Tampa Bay Downs)

Contender lists/Rankings:

Destination Louisville [Steve Haskin Contender List] (Bloodhorse Blog)

Vyjack moves up NY’s Kentucky Derby rankings (Horseracing Nation)

Kentucky Derby contender watch list (SB Nation)

Works:

Always in a Tiz- GP- 5F- 1.01:90- B- 19/28

Flashback- SA- 5F- 1.00:40- H- 9/53

Super Ninety Nine- SA- 5F- 59:00- H- 1/53