Entries drawn for Robert Lewis, Withers// Groovin' Solo, King Kid sleepers?// Swag Daddy works// more

Eight Kentucky Derby hopefuls will line up for the Robert Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Saturday.  As expected, five colts are from the CashCall Futurity (G1), including winner Liaison and runner-up Rousing Sermon.  Many feel Bob Baffert’s Sky Kingdom can redeem himself from the 5^th place finish in the CashCall, based on the rough trip he had as well as his strong comeback allowance victory less than three weeks ago at Santa Anita. Some spice was added to the Robert Lewis with the addition of Isn’t He Clever, who dominated in his last stakes effort at the supposed lesser circuit Sunland Park.  We’ll now know how he stacks up with some of the bigger names on the Kentucky Derby trail.  Groovin’ Solo could surprise-  apparently he was eased in the CashCall based on a broken bridle.  He broke his maiden next out at Santa Anita, and is trained by Myung Kwan Cho, who some may remember as the trainer of last year’s surprise San Felipe winner Premier Pegasus// Alpha leads the cast of seven in the Withers (G3) at Aqueduct on Saturday.  The much-hyped son of Bernardini is the even-money favorite and needs the win to validate his place among the elite contenders for the Derby. King Kid, trained by Dale Romans, could improve in his third start based on recent quick works.  Hakama figures to set the pace and will go for his third consecutive victory// For detailed information like PPs, race videos, articles, and picks for the Withers and Robert Lewis go here// The 7-furlong Hutcheson (G2) on February 11^th will most likely have two Todd Pletcher runners, Thunder Moccasin and Spring Hill Farm, in addition to Jonathan Sheppard trained Ever So Lucky// Interesting background story on Algorithms and how with a little more behavior cooperation the colt could have gone for a lot more money in the sales ring...

Upcoming Stakes:

Robert Lewis S. (G2)- Santa Anita- entries

Withers S. (G3)- Aqueduct- entries

Needles Stakes- Gulfstream Park- entries

Articles

Robert Lewis Previews: TTimes / Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet

Withers Previews: NYRA / Bloodhorse / TTimes / DRF / Brisnet

McLaughlin pleased with progression of ‘Derby Horse’ Alpha (TTimes)

Kentucky Derby hopes hard to break (DRF)

Motor City returns to worktab (The Downey Profile)

Pletcher duo pointed to Hutcheson (The Downey Profile)

Algorithms: Putting the horse first pays off (Bloodhorse)

Kentucky Derby report Feb 2 (Brisnet)

Works

Coalition- BEL- 5F- 1.02:76- B- 12/19

Longview Drive- SA- 5F- 1.00:40- H- 3/7

Swag Daddy- AQU- 4F- 50:17- B- 1/3

Consortium to get Lasix in Holy Bull// Handicappers try to beat Hansen// Southwest, Withers, Robert Lewis come into focus

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reveals Holly Bull entrant Consortium bled a bit in his last race, a 2^nd place finish behind another Holy Bull starter Algorithms.  He’ll try Lasix for the first time Sunday, which could spark some improvement// Handicapper picks are rolling in for the Holy Bull. It looks like many believe Hansen should win, but will try to beat him in their wagers with Algorithms on top// Reveron is still on target for the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. Trainer Augustin Bezara, who hails from Venezuela and does not speak English, said through an interpreter that the colt is doing well in morning jogs and gallops.  In a style a bit unorthodox from North American trainers, he does not often send his horses on official works between races// Apprehender, a dominating debut winner Thursday at Oaklawn, will start next in the Southwest (G3).  He earned a high Beyer of 97 for his 5.5 furlong maiden score. Looking at his sire, Posse, you could guess he might not like a stretch-out, but his dam was a Grade 1 winner at 9 furlongs. A horse by the awful name of Pee H Dee is also possible for the Southwest, as long as an allowance in early February doesn’t fill as expected.  His stablemate Ring It Up will point for an allowance with longer-term hopes of going to the Rebel (G2) on March 17// The lineup for the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct is a little more clear.  In addition to highly touted Alpha, the field could swell to nine with Hakama, King Kid, Phil Dancer, Speightscity, Swag Daddy, Tiger Walk, How Do I Win, and Longview Drive. The latter two are only questionable.  Presumed favorite Alpha will have several more gate schooling sessions based on his issues in prior races// Last year it seemed Bob Baffert was focused on splitting his Kentucky Derby contenders between California, Arkansas, and New York, but it looks like he could have two top prospects in this year’s Robert Lewis (G2) at Santa Anita.  Liaison, winner of the CashCall Futurity (G1) and Sky Kingdom, a troubled fifth in the same race are pointed for the 9-furlong contest next week.  The latter also earned a bullet from his 5-furlong work Friday, when he went 58:40, which was best of 67 other workers. He and Liaison will most likely confront Empire Way, Rousing Sermon, and I’ll Have Another in the Robert Lewis.

Holy Bull S. (G3)- race page with pps, race videos, articles and more here

Articles

McLaughlin looks for Consortium to improve (The Downey Profile)

Apprehender out to capture Southwest after flashy debut [and info on Reckless Jerry] (Oaklawn Park Barn Notes)

Baffert points Liaison, Sky Kingdom to Robert Lewis Stakes (DRF)

Countdown to the Crown Week 4 (DRF)

Kentucky Derby contenders are getting harder to predict (Los Angeles Daily News)

Hansen starts path to Kentucky Derby in Holy Bull Stakes (DRF)

Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park could shape Kentucky Derby [video] (The Wall Street Journal)

Hansen will start 2012 Kentucky Derby journey in Holy Bull (Graded Stakes Blog)

Despite training trends, Holy Bull remains important step on Kentucky Derby Trail (The Brock Talk Blog)

Holy Bull Picks: Thorofan Blog / Dick Downey

Two-turn allowance an alternative to Holy Bull (DRF)

Works

Stat- PMM- 5F- 1.02:41- B- 4/8

Isn't He Clever- SUN- 5F- 1.00:80- H- 1/9

Sky Kingdom- SA- 5F- 58:40- H- 1/67

Notes and bits from web and Twitter:

Southwest just got verrrry interesting. Apprehender got a 97 Beyer speed figure in his debut yesterday- Rolly Hoyt via Twitter

Short field expected for Holy Bull// Updated Kentucky Derby Futures// Dutrow saga won’t go away

The Holy Bull (G3) on January 29^th looks to be a bad betting race.  As of now, only four horses are committed, including 2-year-old champion Hansen.  The other three according to DRF include Algorithms, Consortium, and My Adonis. Fort Loudon, who finished 7^th in the Breeders Cup Juvenile (G1) won by Hansen, could make the field five deep// Updated future odds were released from Wynn Las Vegas.  Twelve new additions and several big drops including yesterday’s Smarty Jones Stakes winner Junebugred from 300-1 to 100-1.  As much as I like Sky Kingdom, 35-1 just doesn’t seem fair for an allowance winner in January.  Union Rags and Liaison remain the co-favorites at 12-1//The saga of King and Crusader’s disqualification from the Maryland Juvenile Championship won’t go away.  Now the owner has filed an appeal// Dale Romans-trained Cozzeti apparently had a nice workout Sunday on turf and is pointing for the Kitten’s Joy Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream//Surprisingly little news on Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at the Fairgrounds.  Entries should be drawn tomorrow. A large field is expected.

Articles

Hansen to return in Holy Bull (DRF)

Early Triple Crown nomination deadline looms (Bloodhorse)

Riccio, owner of Dutrow-trained disqualified stakes winner, files appeal (TTimes)

Futures

Wynn Las Vegas 1/16/12

Works

Rousing Sermon- SA- 6F- 1.14:80- H- 1/1

Night Tide- SA- 5F- 59:80- H- 6/29

Hakama- FH- 3F- 37:00- B- 1/4

Thursby- PMM- 5F- 1.05:40- B- 3/6 (Turf)

Late report from 1/10/12: Ever So Lucky- CAMDEN- 5F- 1.02:00- B- 1/2 (Turf)

Speed Figures*

Top winning 3yo BRIS figs last wk: Ecabroni-97; Hardened Wildcat-97; Two Seventeen-96; Spring Hill Farm-96; Silver Max-96; Phantom Fury-96

Winning 3yo Beyers last week: Ecabroni-84; Hardened Wildcat-86; Two Seventeen-82; Spring Hill Farm-79; Silver Max-86; Phantom Fury-84.

*Source: DerbyContenders Twitter