Saturday Derby Points Races:
Withers (G3)
Winner (pts): Revolutionary (10)
2nd,
3rd, 4th (pts): Escapefromreality (4), Siete de Oros (2), Amerigo Vespucci (1)
Beyer/BRIS:
86/96
CTD Analysis: The one thing you
can count on in the Kentucky Derby every year is that a good number of horses
will have rough trips. It is somewhere in the laws of physics and logic that
when twenty 3-year-old thoroughbreds spring from a gate and then have to
negotiate two turns of a track together, some will get bumped, blocked, and
alter course. Most of those contestants falter, slow down, or completely check
out of the race.
On
Saturday, Revolutionary experienced these obstacles in an eight-horse field in
the Withers, but overcame the adversity to win by a neck. I won’t go through
his whole trip, because it’s virtually impossible to keep track of the entire
series of events. All you need to know is that the Equibase footnotes of his ride
include the terms “angled” “climbing” “spun” “forced to idle” “eased”
“shuffled”, and some of those more than once. Revolutionary will undoubtedly be
a better horse from the experience, and could draw on it come May, but against
a better group of horses he might not be able to bail himself out again. Of
course, with more forward placement in the early stages and a good trip, he
could show his true potential. It’s worth noting, some think he’s incapable of
exiting the gate quickly and also shows tendencies of stubbornness that could
hinder any advancement.
It
looked as if Escapefromreality was primed to win the Withers until
Revolutionary somehow found room for his late charge. Jockey Jose Ortiz
appeared to slow his urging of Escapefromreality and clearly did not see the
winner breathing down his neck. It was still a good showing for the gelding,
who only had restricted maiden and allowances sprint wins on his résumé. Siete
de Oros finished in the money (3rd) for the second consecutive time in graded company,
and stamped himself a useful stakes player, albeit second tier.
Sam F. Davis (G3)
Winner (pts): Falling Sky (10)
2nd,
3rd, 4th (pts): Dynamic Sky (4), My Name Is Michael (2), Speak
Logistics (1)
Beyer/BRIS:
92/92
CTD Analysis: Although jockey Jose
Espinoza said the trip was not perfect, Falling Sky had it pretty easy in the
Sam Davis at Tampa Bay Downs. After an excellent break from the 8 post, Falling
Sky dictated moderate fractions that allowed him to conserve enough energy in
the stretch to hold off a charging Dynamic Sky. It’s usually tough to get
excited about the winner of the Sam Davis, and this year is no exception. The
speed figures from both BRIS and Beyer came back 92. Not terrible, but combined
with a visually unimpressive race, doesn’t offer enough incentive to run to
Wynn Las Vegas and place a future wager on any of the runners. I have a feeling
if the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on March 9 attracts a decent shipper, that horse
could easily upset the current apple cart at Tampa.
Robert Lewis S. (G2)
Winner (pts): Flashback (10)
2nd,
3rd, 4th (pts): Den’s Legacy (4), He’s Had Enough (2), Little Jerry
(1)
Beyer/BRIS:
92/95
CTD Analysis: The Robert Lewis
unfolded as boring as expected. With no one challenging the favorite Flashback
in the early stages, the son of Tapit was allowed to set slow fractions and
leave more than enough in the tank to finish out front easily. The 6 1/4
winning margin was impressive and the competition was not laughable considering
a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up and graded stakes winner made-up half the
field, but you can’t take much away from any four horse contest where the
winner appears to be merely working out. However, we do know Flashback is not
one dimensional, seeing as his debut win was a result of stalking just off the
pace. He just needs a signature victory
before being considering one the Derby favorites, and the Robert Lewis was not
that.
Many
are claiming Flashback is now the undisputed leader of the Western division,
but until he faces Goldencents in either the San Felipe March 9 or Santa Ania
Derby (G1) in April, I’ll reserve judgment on either colt. Both earned low-90
Beyer speed figures in their latest stakes wins, which puts them below the
stars of the Florida circuit.
If
Flashback is really the freak some believe, you can’t take much away from his
stablemate and 2nd place finisher Den’s Legacy. With a quicker pace he could
have ran a better race and I’m expecting more from him further down the trail.
Saturday Non-Derby point races:
Hutcheson (G2)
Winner: Honorable Dillon
Beyer/BRIS:
NA/97
Gulfstream Park Race 5: Allowance Optional
Claiming
Winner Verrazano
Beyer/BRIS:
105/104
96 Rocks Stakes
Winner:
Mac the Man
Beyer/BRIS:
87/98
Weekend News Summary:
If
the prospect of three Derby point races, the always-intriguing Grade 2
Hutcheson, and a prep for the Spiral Stakes (G3) at Turfway failed to spike
Derby fever for you, perhaps the somewhat unexpected 16 1/4 length by Todd
Pletcher’s Verrazano at Gulfstream Park Saturday made you wish you took that
flu shot after all. Granted, Verrazano was expected to win in his second start,
but not many thought it would be in such dominating fashion against promising
allowance company. Todd Pletcher was obviously pleased and said he needed to
time to figure out next race plans. The Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream
February 23 doesn’t allow enough spacing, and the Florida Derby (G1) in April
is too far away and also reserved for stablemate Shanghai Bobby, so Verrazano’s
next race could very well be away from the track he loves// Eddie Kenneally
said a stretch-out could be next for Hutcheson (G2) winner Honorable Dillon,
although the 7-furlong Swale (G3) remains a possibility as well// Mac the Man
is getting some attention for his wire-to-wire win in the 96 Rocks Stakes at
Turfway Saturday. He could be the favorite heading into the Spiral (G3) March
23 as long as a big-name contender like Uncaptured doesn’t ship in// Trainer Al
Stall had two allowance winners Friday night at the Fair Grounds. Sunbean and
Departing both won going two turns for the first time, and Stall will most
likely enter both in the Risen Star (G2) on the same track February 23// Gary
Stevens, fresh off retirement, rode maiden Tiz the Truth, for Bob Baffert
Saturday at Santa Anita. The Hall of Famer guided the colt to an eye-opening 7
3/4 length win in his two-turn debut. The Beyer speed figure came back 94,
which already puts him above most Derby prospects- if you’re a believer of
those kinds of numbers// Big Lute was another maiden breaker I’ll be keeping
tabs on. He won his debut at Oaklawn by 4 3/4 lengths Friday// Early Triple
Crown nominations were announced Saturday. A full list with links to PPs can be
found below// Purple Egg finally registered an official workout Saturday since
being on the sidelines with flu symptoms, while Todd Pletcher ordered breezes
for a slew of sophomores Sunday, including Violence and Overanalyze// more…
Articles:
Triple
Crown Nominees- List
/ PPs (Brisnet)
Workouts:
Saturday:
Purple
Egg- TB- 4F- 51:40- B- 21/23
Integrity-
PMM- 5F- 1.01:30- B- 4/25
Carried
Interest- PMM- 4F- 48:90- B- 19/73
Texas
Bling- OP- 5F- 1.00:80- B- 2/75
Clawback-
AQU- 4F- 50:67- B- 11/14
Majestic
Hussar- 5F- 1.00:13- B- 1/28
Sunday:
Violence-
PMM- 5F- 1.02:29- B- 15/24
Normandy
Invasion- PMM- 5F- 1.01:23- B- 5/24
Capo
Bastone- PMM- 5F- 1.02:90- B- 21/24
Overanalyze-
PMM- 5F- 1.02:29- B- 15/24
Palace
Malice- PMM- 4F- 48:19- B- 6/28
Delhomme-
PMM- 4F- 49:09- B- 17/28
