Kentucky Derby Horses
|
ADRIANO (KY)
Breeder: Courtlandt Farms
Trainer: Graham Motion
Owner: Courtlandt Farms
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew, Weekend Surprise)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Gold Canyon (Mr. Prospector, Golden Treat)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 13-13-24-0-0 (50) 3.17
Foal Date: 5-20-05
Performance at Age Three
Jan. 11, Entry-Level Allowance, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/16 Mile (T). Adriano was an impressive winner on the grass, prevailing over Ablaze with Spirit by 6 3/4 lengths going away. He came from about eight lengths back in the early running and was timed in 1:39.72.
Feb. 24, Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Adriano (14-1) got very upset before the race and finished ninth after running eighth in the early stages. Cool Coal Man (7-1) beat him by 17 lengths.
March 22, Grade II Lane's End Stakes, Turfway Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Racing much closer to the pace than usual, Adriano (9-2) led throughout the stretch to take the race by 2 1/2 lengths. Halo Najib (3-1) flew by Medjool (7-1) and Racecar Rhapsody (7-2) in the stretch to get the place. The latter three were each separated by three parts of a length at the wire. Adriano was timed in 1:50.20 going 1 1/8 mile on Turfway Park's Polytrack.
Breaking from post 5, Adriano got into good position early, but he was four wide as Duke of De Buqe (21-1) and Rich Young Ruler (99-1) led around the first turn and into the backstretch. Asked for more by Edgar Prado, Adriano took over in the second turn and was unchallenged during the run home.
Halo Najib was in tight quarters in the early going, shook clear, but was unable to gain ground on the winner late.
"Edgar gave him a beautiful ride. We had to stay a little bit closer because you didn't want to come from off the pace today. I thought that played right into our hands, because I know at that pace he can go all day.
"I thought another key was that he was very good in the paddock. He's very hot-blooded. In the Fountain of Youth, he kind of fell apart that day. The fact that he was good today made a big difference.
"I need to talk to Mr. Adams. I think we all agree that he's probably more of a turf horse, but the Lexington (April 19 at Keeneland) is something we will definitely consider."--Graham Motion
"I was very impressed with his win on the turf (at Gulfstream on Jan. 11). I know if horses handle the turf well, they will handle the Polytrack. I wanted to be in a tracking position and I was happy almost every step of the way. He put me in a great position at the eighth pole, and every time I called on him, he responded."--Edgar Prado
On April 13, ADRIANO breezed four in :50.00 (29/42) at CD.
On April 20, ADRIANO breezed five in 1:01.80 (18/39) at CD.
On April 27, ADRIANO breezed five in 1:00.80 (21/62) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
In four starts, three of them on turf, Adriano had two wins, both on turf. He broke his maiden second time out going 1 1/16 mile at Saratoga.
His third career effort yielded a fourth-place finish in the 1 1/16-mile, Grade I Lane's End Breeders' Futurity on Polytrack at Keeneland. Wicked Style got the best of him by five lengths.
Adriano's final effort last year was in the 1 1/16-mile Laurel Futurity on turf. He finished fifth, beaten about nine lengths by Cowboy Cal after running five wide.
ANAK NAKAL (KY)
Breeder: Buckram Oak Farm
Trainer: Nick Zito
Owner: Four Roses Thoroughbreds
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Victory Gallop (Cryptoclearance, Victorious Lil (CAN))
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Misk (Quiet American, Perlee (FR))
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-7-8-0-0 (20) 4.00
Foal Date: 4-23-05
Performance at Age Three
Feb. 24, Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile.
Memo, Please Note: Posted March 25, 2008
For the second time after the running of the Fountain of Youth, the final and fractional times were revised. Today, Gulfstream said that upon review, the official final time for the 1 1/8-mile race will now be listed as 1:50.07. The initial winning time, on the tote board and in charts, was 1:51.85. A revision to the chart made yesterday called the race in 1:49.53.
Anak Nakal (10-1) had no front pace to run at, and he needs that. He finished eighth, beaten 16 lengths by Cool Coal Man (7-1), after running twelfth or eleventh of 12 for six furlongs.
"With the slow pace, (Anak Nakal) really had no chance. He needs pace up front."--Nick Zito
March 15, Grade II Rebel Stakes, Oaklawn Park, 1 1/16 Mile. Anak Nakal (7-1) again disappointed, finishing seventh after running sixth and fifth much of the race.
April 5, Grade I Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, 1 1/8 Mile. Anak Nakal woke up a little bit in this race. He finished fifth, beaten 4 1/2 lengths. He made up some ground going five wide on the second turn, then ran evenly down the stretch.
On April 18, ANAK NAKAL breezed four in :49.40 (20/33) at CD.
On April 25, ANAK NAKAL breezed four in :46.60 (2/26) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
Anak Nakal broke his maiden first time out going seven furlongs at Belmont Park on Sept. 28, timed in 1:23.25. He won by a length after closing from eighth and altering his course in the stretch.
Oct. 28, Grade III Nashua Stakes, Aqueduct, One Mile. Under Julien Leparoux, Anak Nakal had a runner-up effort to the then very strong Etched. On good dirt, Anak Nakal was beaten 6 1/2 lengths to a time of 1:36.96 going one turn.
Nov. 24, Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club, Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. Stretched out to two turns for the first time, Anak Nakal (8-1) won the race by a half-length over a closing Blackberry Road. He was timed in 1:43.16 under Julien Leparoux.
Anak Nakal settled in the middle of the pack out of the starting gate as favored Halo Najib, Cool Coal Man and Mythical Pegasus scrambled for the early lead. That trio took the field through fractions of :23.72, :46.94 and 1:11.56. The winner sat fourth, in the clear, behind that trio after a half-mile, while Racecar Rhapsody and Blackberry Road trailed the field.
Anak Nakal passed the tiring leaders inside the final eighth of a mile while Blackberry Road, who rallied stongly from more than a dozen lengths off the lead under Calvin Borel, closed to his inside and Racecar Rhapsody closed five-wide. The winner held off the late runners.
“This is a nice horse. He has only had two races and that horse of Darley’s (Etched) that won the Nashua, he was a good second to him. This race, the progression was perfect. This horse ran seven-eighths, a mile and now a mile and a sixteenth.... He looks like he will go a distance of ground. I was really impressed when the horse...came up the inside, and my horse...saw him and he took off again....
"When you win a race like this, you just want to have your eyes on the Derby.... He will go to Palm Meadows.”--Nick Zito
“He is a long-striding horse, and that’s why I was kind of asking him (leaving the backstretch), because he does not have much of a kick but he just keeps on going. He is kind of a grinder. The pace in front of me was ideal and the race set up perfect for me.”--Julien Leparoux
Photo by Adam Coglianese
BIG BROWN (KY)
Breeder: Monticule
Trainer: Rick Dutrow
Owner: IEAH Stable and Paul Pompa
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Boundary (Danzig, Edge)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Mien (Nureyev, Miasma)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 4-7-23-2-0 (36) 1.67
Foal Date: 4-10-05
A $190,000 Keeneland April 2007 purchase.
Performance at Age Three
March 5, Entry-Level Allowance, Gulfstream Park, One Mile. Big Brown powered his way to a probable start in the Grade I Florida Derby after winning an off-the-turf allowance race by 12 3/4 lengths. Big Brown stayed well out from the rail and still came home in the one-turn mile race in 1:35.66 under Kent Desormeaux. He was never more than a length off the lead. Initial fractions were :45.31 and 1:09.87.
“I was worried all last night, because he’s had two quarter cracks that have been holding him back,” said Dutrow. “He breezed the other day, and when I watched him work, to me, he just looks like an absolute freak. Talent like he has makes up for a lack of experience. He’s that good.
“I knew he was going to do great on the dirt because I breezed him with Diamond Stripes, and (Big Brown) just carried him around the track."--Rick Dutrow
March 29, Grade I Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Big Brown overcame the far outside post position 12 and limited experience to emerge a five-length winner. He remained undefeated after just three career starts in a performance that will send him into the Kentucky Derby among the favorites.
Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Big Brown was sent off the 3-2 favorite. Desormeaux let the big bay colt roll from the far outside in the short run to the first turn, where he was able to take command. Big Brown led at all calls, widening his advantage down the stretch. Fractions were :22:76, :45:83, 1:10:08 and 1:35:18. Final time was 1:48:16
“We’ve got a Kentucky Derby contender. It’s a long way off, and a lot of things have to happen right, but I expected him to run just like what we saw. This day ranks on top of my career. He came out of the gate like we wanted him to. I loved being on the outside. It eliminated our chance of getting in trouble. Going into the race, the only way we cold get beat was if we got in trouble. In the first turn I knew it was over. I knew the horses in here couldn’t catch him. All I have to do is stay out of his way. I let him do what he wants.”--Winning trainer Rick Dutrow
“My plan was not to get on the lead, but rather to get close enough to the rail so as not to get caught wide. Riding him was like bounding through a meadow. He just galloped around. When a horse sets fractions like that and still tells me that he’s got more, and that the other horses can’t get to him, that’s something special. He’s a major talent; possibly the best horse I’ve ridden. I thought that after the first time I rode him. I’d have to say that he’s my (Kentucky) Derby horse.”--Winning jockey Kent Desormeaux
On April 12, BIG BROWN worked five in 1:00.60 (1/3) at PMM.
On April 18, BIG BROWN breezed five in 1:00.60 (1/2) at PMM.
On April 24, BIG BROWN worked five furlongs in :58.60 (1/1) at PMM.
On May 1, BIG BROWN breezed three in :35.40 (1/19) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
In his sole race last year, Big Brown won a 1 1/16-mile turf race at Saratoga in September by 11 1/4 lengths after leading all the way in splits of :47.54 and 1:11.84 and a final time of 1:40.33.
BIG TRUCK (NY)
Breeder: A. Lakin & Sons
Trainer: Barclay Tagg
Owner: Eric Fein
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Hook and Ladder (Dixieland Band, Taianna)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Just a Ginny (Go for Gin, Evangelic)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-0-11-1-1 (18) 1.40
Foal Date: 2-12-05
Big Truck was bought for $90,000 at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds Sale.
Performance at Age Three
Jan. 5, Grade II Hutcheson Stakes, Gulfstream Park, Seven Furlongs. Big Truck was a 12-1 morning line, opened up at 8-5 and was sent off at 9-2. Despite his backing, he never got hold of the sloppy-sealed track and finished fifth, beaten 11 3/4 lengths by Smooth Air (9-1).
"I really didn't want to turn him back to seven furlongs, but I didn't really have a lot of options. I also don't think he cared very much for the slop...."--Barclay Tagg
Feb. 16, Sam F. Davis Stakes, Tampa Bay Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. Big Truck (9-1) finished second by a half-length to Fierce Wind (3-1). He was reserved early but began passing horses early in the far turn with Eibar Coa high in the saddle. Meanwhile, Smooth Air (4-1), with Manoel Cruz up, was just to Big Truck's inside. As the tightly-packed field advanced around the second turn, less than 2 1/2 lengths separated them all. Big Truck went six wide while Smooth Air was just inside him leaving the turn. The pair hit the stretch in search of Fierce Wind (3-1), who had wrested the lead from front runners Z Humor (6-5) and Wise Answer (9-2) after Honey Honey Honey (24-1), the early leader, retreated.
Smooth Air dove to the inside and briefly threatened Fierce Wind, but in the final strides, Big Truck got past Smooth Air and fell short of the winner at the wire. Smooth Air finished third, another three parts of a length back.
March 15, Grade III Tampa Bay Derby, Tampa Bay Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. Taking the overland route, Big Truck (7-1)--and five other starters--defeated 1-20 War Pass, who finished last.
Reserved early by Eibar Coa, Big Truck went four wide coming out of the far turn and ran down Atoned (9-1) to win by a neck. He was timed in 1:44.25. Finishing behind that pair, and 4 1/2 lengths back in third, was Dynamic Wayne at 49-1 odds.
“I said, ‘Ride to be second, and if something happens to War Pass, we win.' I thought we were the second-best horse.
“We thought he was a little less mature than some of our other horses are. It just took him a little while. I think this is his fourth start this year (actually the third), so he’s done a lot, and he’s moved forward every time.
“I don’t know (about his next race), I’ll have to talk to the owners and see what his numbers are.”--Barclay Tagg
“I knew my horse was going to improve from the last race. I didn't know if we were going to be good enough to beat War Pass, but my hope was that War Pass wouldn’t like the track today. When he finally got behind some horses for the first time, and he didn’t have room (coming out of ) the gate... I had him beat."--Eibar Coa
“He trains like the best horse in the world, he just hasn’t proved it on the racetrack. Barclay has taken horses to the Derby before, has won the Derby before, and has told us how good he is, but come race day he hasn’t proved it.
"So, thank God today he did. I actually started getting nervous at about the half-mile pole when I saw War Pass wasn’t on the lead. I though maybe today might be our day, and we were at the turn when we finally got out of the trouble we were in. We got clear, and I thought, ‘I know this horse can come.’”
"We’re hoping the truck stops in Louisville."--Eric Fein, owner of Big Truck
April 12, Grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland, 1 1/8 Mile. Big Truck came onto the track looking like a world-beater in the post parade and then proceeded to flail around in the race and finish eleventh.
On April 22, BIG TRUCK breezed four in :48.80 (8/43) at KEE.
On April 28, BIG TRUCK breezed five in :59.40 (1/22) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
Big Truck impressively broke his maiden in his debut, then was entered in the Bongard.
Sept. 23, Bertram F. Bongard Stakes, Belmont Park, Seven Furlongs. Heavily favored Big Truck (1-5) won, but it was a little more difficult than expected even though he cleared by two lengths. Stalking, then pressing, a pace of :23.03, :46.04 and 1:10.53 set by Todd Pletcher trainee Spanky Fischbein, Big Truck responded when asked. He was timed in 1:23.64.
Trainer Tagg's next move for Big Truck was the Sleepy Hollow at a mile on Oct. 20.
“I thought he had to work a little harder, but Todd has good horses all the time, so you never know. I thought it would be a little bit easier than that. He got into gear a little sooner than I thought he would. I thought they would run away from him earlier; at least, he pulled this one off.”--Barclay Tagg
“I really didn’t know how the race was going to play out. I thought he would win pretty easy. Having said that, it looked like (Spanky Fischbein) really moved forward. My horse ran a good race; he galloped out good. Time was pretty fast, and I’m pleased with him. I think he’ll do whatever you want with him.”--Ramon Dominguez
Oct. 20, Sleepy Hollow Stakes, Belmont Park, One Mile. At 1-5 odds on a track rated good, Big Truck finished a disappointing third, beaten a head and a neck by Giant Moon (7-2). Coastal Drive (30-1) was second. The winning time was 1:38.46.
Be Bullish took the lead to set the tempo of :23.27 and :46.79. Big Truck, who carried 122 pounds--spotting his six rivals seven pounds each--rolled up on the outside to engage Giant Moon coming off the turn. Be Bullish backed out and Ramon Dominguez, aboard Big Truck, seemed to have Giant Moon measured. Giant Moon resisted Big Truck’s advance to hold the lead and eventually wore down his rival. Coastal Drive came on late to get second. The fourth finisher was 10 more back.
Nov. 24, Grade II Remsen Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/8 Mile. Big Truck finished fourth, beaten five lengths. With only a six-horse field, It was roughly run Remsen. Atoned clipped heels with Big Truck on the backstretch. Another problem came at the top of the lane when Court Vision, taken off the rail while making a wide move from last, seemingly impeded Big Truck, squeezing him against Trust N Dustan.
Court Vision withstood a stewards’ inquiry and claim of foul by Big Truck's rider to win by a neck over Atoned. Big Truck was squeezed back at the top of the stretch.
Horsephotos.com/NTRA
BOB BLACK JACK (CA)
Breeder: Gary Howard, Marlene Howard & Bruce Dunmore
Trainer: James M. Kasparoff
Owner: Jeff Harmon & Tim Kasparoff
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Stormy Jack (Bertrando, Tiny Kristin)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Molly's Prospector (Native Prospector, Spell Victory)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-0-3-0-0 (8) 4.33
Foal Date: 3-29-05
Bought for $4,500 at the Barretts Limited January 2006 Sale
Performance at Age Three
Jan. 26, Sunshine Millions Dash, Santa Anita, Six Furlongs. At odds of 4-5, Bob Black Jack once again proved he was better than restricted company, in this case Cal- and Florida-breds. He won the Dash by 3 1/2 lengths over Winsome Charm. Time: 1:06.53 on the Santa Anita drag strip.
“I was worried (when Winsome Charm came up on the outside into the stretch). That horse looked like he was going better than us . . . but my horse showed another gear. He’s just a very, very nice horse. He re-broke when David really asked him to run. We’re looking to possibly stretching this horse out in his next race. There’s really not too much for him now going short. This was a race we planned on running in. We’ll try to find the easiest spot for him going two turns.”--Trainer James Kasparoff
“We’re still exploring with him because he is just developing so much. We just don’t know how far he can go. His distance capability is a question right now because he’s only been sprinting, but he is a horse that can rate. As long as they don’t push, he doesn’t go.
"That other horse (Winsome Charm) never did get in front of him today. I was always a neck in front of him. But he likes to battle. He was just doing enough. I had to hit him a couple of times, and then he pulled away. That was very exciting, the way he did it.”--David Flores
March 15, Grade II San Felipe Stakes, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. Bob Black Jack led the way, but in moderate splits. Still, he couldn't quite stay on and finished third. Georgie Boy (7-5) tracked Bob Black Jack (7-2) and Gayego (7-2) through unexpected fractions--:24.24, :48.75 and 1:13.02. Boxed behind the leaders turning into the stretch, Michael Baze waited to find room but found none and swung Georgie Boy out. Georgie Boy split horses, came around Gayego and beat him three parts of a length. Bob Black Jack was beaten a length by Gayego. The race was timed in 1:432.35.
“He ran great. I’m a little disappointed, but that’s the way it goes. It was his first time going long, and I guess we had a right to run second.”--James Kasparoff
April 5, Grade I Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita, 1 1/8 Mile. For the first mile of the race, Coast Guard and Bob Black Jack led the way, setting initial fractions of :23.33, :47.57 and 1:11.64 while separated by a length or less. Colonel John was back in sixth the first half mile and suddenly appeared to backing out of the race as track announcer Trevor Denman took note.
As soon as the words left Denman's mouth, Colonel John, who was ninth with three furlongs left, began to run in earnest and went wide down the stretch to snare the race by a half-length. Bob Black Jack, who set a world record in a sprint race earlier this year, stayed on well to finish second, a length before Coast Guard, who was all over the track in deep stretch.
Colonel John completed the 1 1/8 mile in 1:48.16 on Santa Anita's synthetic track.
“The horse ran unbelievable, but that’s a heartbreaker. We were home, I thought. Then right at the end I saw Colonel John and I said, ‘Oh, no, here comes Colonel John,’ because no one was really coming. Then I knew he was going to catch us right at the wire.”--Tim Kasparoff, brother of Bob Black Jack's trainer Jim Kasparoff, and part owner
“I’m very, very proud of this horse. I really couldn’t be happier with his performance. I just feel gutted because it’s tough to lose like that. The horse ran as game as a horse can run. I was very pleased with the way he settled, and I was happy to have one in front of me. I can’t say anything but good things about the horse. It was just a tough loss.”--Richard Migliore, on Bob Black Jack
On April 14, BOB BLACK JACK worked four in :48.00 (8/38) at SA. (first time blinkers)
On April 21, BOB BLACK JACK worked six in 1:10.80 (2/19) at SA.
On April 28, BOB BLACK JACK breezed four in :48.60 (15/44) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
This horse raced four times at age two, never going more than seven furlongs. He broke his maiden at Del Mar second time out, going six furlongs in 1:11.67, pretty fast for the slow surface that existed there last summer.
In the Grade III Hollywood Prevue won by Massive Drama, Bob Black Jack finished fourth, beaten five lengths after he had go four wide on the turn. His beaten lengths, compared to his postion off the lead earlier in the race, indicate that he was not asked for a lot after it was clear he was not going to win.
In his final race of the year, Bob Black Jack won the seven-furlong California Breeders' Championship, defeating state-breds by 6 1/4 lengths while getting the distance in 1:20.37 at Santa Anita, which was producing fast times on its problematic new surface.
COLONEL JOHN (KY)
Breeder: WinStar Farm, LLC
Trainer: Eoin Harty
Owner: WinStar Farm, LLC
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Tiznow (Cee's Tizzy, Cee's Song)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Sweet Damsel (Turkoman, Grande Dame)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 4-1-9-0-0 (14) 2.11
Foal Date: 3-4-05
Performance at Age Three
March 1, Grade III Sham Stakes, Santa Anita, 1 1/8 Mile. Colonel John (3-2) attended a slow front pace and then sprinted to the wire to win over favored El Gato Malo (3-5). In a scratch-shortened field of five, Victory Pete set dawdling fractions of :24.97, :50.04 and 1:14.35 while Colonel John and Garrett Gomez laid just to his outside around the first turn, the backstretch and far turn.
Meanwhile, Reflect Times and El Gato Malo ran side-by-side about a length back of the two leaders, and as so often happens in small fields, one of them was trapped down on the rail. That was El Gato Malo. David Flores sat patiently, waiting for something to open up.
As the field turned for home, Gomez asked Colonel John to run, and he responded, getting the jump on El Gato Malo, who was swung out three wide for his stretch drive. At the eighth pole, Colonel John had opened up a length-and-a-half lead on El Gato Malo, and he ran on to prevail by a half-length, as El Gato Malo finished well.
Colonel John got the 1 1/8 mile Sham in a final time of 1:50.15.
Trainer Eion Harty said Colonel John would remain in California for the Santa Anita Derby on April 5--if the synthetic track as Santa Anita holds up. Craig Dollase said El Gato Malo would be back for a rematch.
“He’s a very easy horse to keep fit. He doesn’t carry a lot of excess weight and puts a lot into his morning workouts.
"I’m sure he can get a distance. It’s just a matter of not getting in his way. We figured the race was going to turn out like it did, like last year’s Blue Grass, where everybody walked around there and tried to sprint for home. I didn’t want him taken off the pace and get caught in that position that David (Flores, on El Gato Malo) got caught in. When you get away with three-quarters in 14, you’re sitting pretty good if you’re close to the lead.
"David, unfortunately, got caught up in traffic. He’s a very good horse, too. I think both horses are, not taking anything away from Colonel John, but I think if David had gotten out earlier, it would have been a little tighter than it was.
"We’ll stay here (for the Santa Anita Derbby). As long as the track’s good, I’m staying here.”--Eion Harty
“After the two earlier scratches, I didn’t want to put him on the lead, but sometimes you are forced to in certain situations. I thought the No. 5 horse (Victory Pete) would be the speed, but nobody really went with him. So I was in a very comfortable position.
"I was sitting on the outside, and I didn’t want to have to use him in a couple of spots in the race, this being his first time back. I just wanted to let him have the smoothest trip possible, and have him come home. And he really did. He did things very nice and came home really well.
"For them to go :50 to the half and come home the mile in 1:38 means we were really coming home. I heard David’s horse coming and I floated out to him. This colt kept running and he even galloped out real good. The other horse never got to him. I was very proud of him.”--Garrett Gomez
April 5, Grade I Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita, 1 1/8 Mile. Colonel John cemented respect as a Kentucky Derby contender as he came from off the pace and ran by three leaders in the stretch to win. With a patient ride by Corey Nakatani behind honest fractions, Colonel John completed the 1 1/8 mile in 1:48.16 on Santa Anita's synthetic track. It was Nakatani's first Santa Anita Derby win in 13 tries.
For the first mile of the race, Coast Guard and Bob Black Jack led the way, setting initial fractions of :23.33, :47.57 and 1:11.64 while separated by a length or less. Colonel John was back in sixth the first half mile and suddenly appeared to backing out of the race as track announcer Trevor Denman took note.
As soon as the words left Denman's mouth, Colonel John, who was ninth with three furlongs left, began to run in earnest and went wide down the stretch to snare the race by a half-length.
“He’s very professional. He never turns a hair. He walked into the gate like a 5-year-old. He’s got the mind for it.
"I’ll give him two works here at Santa Anita and ship to Churchill about 12 days out, give him one work over the track, and pray . . .
It really hasn’t sunk in yet, but feels like I won the million dollar St. Patrick’s Day horseshoe pitching contest. Probably about 10 o’clock tonight, it will sink in . . . It’s huge. Historically, any horse that’s run well here and come out this race in one piece usually shows up and runs a very good race on Derby day, and that’s what we’re hoping for.”--Eion Harty
"He broke good, and I was in a really good position. I was just biding my time. Down on the inside, it looked like Alex was really going well with Yankee Bravo, and I know he’s a legitimate horse. So I sucked in behind him at the three-eighths pole. I followed him through there, and was able to get to the outside. For there on, I was able to let Colonel John do his running.
“Well, I guess you could say I’ve got this little monkey off my back, but, of course, it’s pretty hard to beat Gary Stevens (nine Santa Anita Derby wins). Now I’ve got something to get really excited about. I mean, Eoin Harty, and what he’s done with this horse. And the owners, WinStar Farm, and the Tiznow breeding is going to take us the mile-and-one-quarter. There is no question in my mind that this horse has the ability to win the Kentucky Derby, and he underscored that today.”--Corey Nakatani
On April 14, COLONEL JOHN worked four in :47.40 (4/38) at SA.
On April 20, COLONEL JOHN breezed five in :59.40 (3/45) at SA.
On April 27, COLONEL JOHN breezed five in :57.80 (1/62) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
Colonel John broke his maiden in his second start, winning at seven furlongs by 4 1/2 lengths, timed in 1:21.47 at Santa Anita's synthetic track on Oct. 7.
Nov. 18, Real Quiet Stakes, Hollywood Park,1 1/16 Mile. He won this race on synthetic track in 1:42.92. The 3-5 favorite, Colonel John bested Overextended by three lengths after staying three or four lengths off the pace, then swinging out to clear under Corey Nakatani.
Dec. 22, Grade I CashCall Futurity, Hollywood Park, 1 1/16 Mile. Colonel John (2-1 favorite) bumped at the start, sat back of the pace in seventh and sixth positions, then ran toward the inside down the stretch to finish second to Into Mischief (13-1), beaten 1 1/4 length. The winner covered the distance in 1:40.82.
Into Mischief breathed down the neck of pacesetter Eaton's Gift (19-1) and siezed the lead early in the stretch under Victor Espinoza. He finished strongly as well. Massive Drama (3-1) ran in third and fourth positions throughout and finished third, another half length back of the winner.
Monba finished fourth, followed by Indian Sun, Sierra Sunset, Eaton's Gift, Meal Penalty, Overextended, Shore Do, Referee and Tres Borrachos. Slew's Tiznow and Old Man Buck were scratched.
"We wanted to be patient with him. Today wasn't the day to go to the bottom of the well. He's only going to get better. He probably took the worst of it by getting all the dirt and the education that he did, and he galloped out unbelievable. I wouldn't change spots with anybody. He's a special horse."--Corey Nakatani
Photo by Reed Palmer/Churchill Downs
COOL COAL MAN (KY)
Breeder: W. S. Farish, E.J. Hudson, Jr. Irrevocable Trust, et al
Trainer: Nick Zito
Owner: Robert LaPenta
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Mineshaft (A.P. Indy, Prospector's Delite)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Coral Sea (Rubiano, South Sea Dancer)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 10-8-15-1-0 (34) 3.00
Foal Date: 5-24-05
A $200,000 Keeneland September 2006 Yearling Sale purchase.
Performance at Age Three
Jan. 5, Grade II Hutcheson Stakes, Gulfstream Park, Seven Furlongs. Cool Coal Man was scratched after the track came up sloppy. His stable mate, Coal Play (4-1), stayed in the race but finished a dismal seventh of eight, beaten 23 lengths by Smooth Air (9-1).
Jan. 19, Pasco Stakes, Tampa Bay Downs, Seven Furlongs. Cool Coal Man was entered, then scratched. The race went off on a fast track.
Jan. 26, Second-Level Allowance, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/18 Mile. Cool Coal Man (3-2) was taken out of the Pasco in favor of this longer race, which he won by a length. Rated outside and just off the pace set by Legacy Thief (3-1), Cool Coal Man eased from third to first went in mid-stretch and gradually extended his margin over Golden Spikes (5-1) in the final eighth mile. Legacy Thief finished third, 4 3/4 lengths behind Golden Spikes.
Cool Coal Man was timed in 1:51.02 after initial fractions of :46.38 and 1:10.77.
Feb. 24, Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile.
Memo, Please Note: Posted March 25, 2008
For the second time after the running of the Fountain of Youth, the final and fractional times were revised. Today, Gulfstream said that upon review, the official final time for the 1 1/8-mile race will now be listed as 1:50.07. The initial winning time, on the tote board and in charts, was 1:51.85. A revision to the chart made yesterday called the race in 1:49.53.
Cool Coal Man (7-1) kept it together in the mildly chaotic pre-race saddling area at Gulfstream Park, then got a good stalking trip from post 1 to capture the race.
Following a slow front pace established for a half-mile by Golden Spikes (17-1), who broke from post 2, Cool Coal Man settled in at fourth position while Kent Desormeaux prodded him to stay on the rail. Exiting the far turn, Desormeaux angled Cool Coal Man out. The colt accelerated past the three in front of him and began to sprint for home. As Make the Point (12-1) retreated and Golden Spikes faded, Cool Coal Man established a 1 1/2-length lead with an eighth of a mile to go, having gotten the jump on Elysium Fields (8-1).
Down the lane, Elysium Fields surged on the inside, then switched to the outside of a drifting Cool Coal Man, who held on to prevail by a half-length.
It was a slowly-run Fountain of Youth. Golden Spikes' opening fractions were a crawling two furlongs in :25.78, and a half-mile in :49.27. Make the Point set the six-furlong mark in 1:13.19. Cool Coal Man finished off the 1 1/18-mile in 1:51.85. Earlier in the card, a maiden special weight at the same distance, and also limited to 3-year-olds, was won by Cosmic, a son of El Prado, in 1:50.72.
"He couldn't have gotten a better trip. I had confidence going in with the post that Kent would get a good position with him.
"He's run two great races here. With the slow pace, my other horse (Anak Nakal) really had no chance. He needs pace up front. I can't say where or what race (Cool Coal Man) will run in, possibly the Florida Derby. He’s not a big horse. He'd need to have a good 30 days from now. We'll see."--Nick Zito
"Being in the one hole already gave me a luxury. We all really hustled for position going into the first turn. We were fortunate to get in good position.
"I had to encourage him to stay on the rail. When he got the lead, he started to look around and he idled. I stopped hissing at him for about 40 yards, and when I started back, he took off again.
"I was concerned about (Elysium Fields). It's hard to sustain that kind of speed for a long time, but when we were galloping out after the wire he moved out again once he felt the other horse come up to him.
"My hat goes off to Zito. He told me, 'You know what to do. You didn't get here not knowing what to do.' My horse was very handy and attentive to my needs. I think we went faster than what the clock said. But time is irrelevant; we won!"--Kent Desormeaux
April 12, Grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland, 1 1/8 Mile. Cool Coal Man secured a good position and raced third while tracking eventual winner Monba and second finisher Cowboy Cal, but he gave it up at the top of the stretch and faded to ninth.
On April 24, COOL COAL MAN breezed four in :47.40 (2/35) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
Cool Coal Man had a win and a place in his first three starts. That win came by about 10 lengths.
Nov. 3, Entry-Level Allowance, Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. In the colt's third start, Rafael Bejarano rode Cool Coal Man to another win. He was forwardly-placed throughout the running and was an easy, 2 1/4-length winner as the 2-1 second choice. The time: 1:43.36. Tend, who was favored, finished third.
Nov. 24, Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club, Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. Favored Halo Najib (7-5), Cool Coal Man (5-2) and Mythical Pegasus (10-1) scrambled for the early lead. That trio took the field through fractions of :23.72, :46.94 and 1:11.56. Cool Coal Man was in between the other two and tired to finish last of seven, beaten 8 1/4 lengths.
“He’s a better horse than that. Don’t write him off yet. I think you will hear from him next year.
"He got too hot.... We ran him back a little quick, and he got worked up in the paddock. With his breeding by Mineshaft, he's a hot horse. He's got a lot of fire, and when you have a horse like that, you can't run them back too quick".”--Nick Zito
Horsephotos.com/NTRA
COURT VISION (KY)
Breeder: W. S. Farish & Kilroy Thoroughbred Partnership
Trainer: Bill Mott
Owner: IEAH Stables & WinStar Farm
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Gulch (Mr. Prospector, Jameela)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Weekend Storm (Storm Bird, Weekend Surprise)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 11-5-12-0-0 (28) 3.67
Foal Date: 3-27-05
Bought for $350,00 at Fasig-Tipson February 2007.
Performance at Age Three
Feb. 24, Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile.
Memo, Please Note: Posted March 25, 2008
For the second time after the running of the Fountain of Youth, the final and fractional times were revised. Today, Gulfstream said that upon review, the official final time for the 1 1/8-mile race will now be listed as 1:50.07. The initial winning time, on the tote board and in charts, was 1:51.85. A revision to the chart made yesterday called the race in 1:49.53.
Court Vison (4-1), near or at the back of the 12-horse field for the first six furlongs, came running late to place third, but well back of Cool Coal Man (7-1) and Elysium Fields (8-1), beaten 6 1/4 lengths for all of it. Z Humor (14-1), making his second start in a span of eight days, was another 2 1/4 lengths back in fourth.
The winner was timed in 1:51.85.
"It was a very good race. He came running. It was a much slower pace than we expected. It's tough to close on that slow of a pace so, considering that, it was a very good race. It should be beneficial. Garrett said Court Vision came running when he asked, so we're pleased. With his running style, he's going to have to overcome a lot of things. We just have to accept that. There are a lot of options for him from here, the Florida Derby being one of them."--Bill Mott
April 5, Grade I Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, 1 1/8 Mile. Tale of Ekati surged up the rail to wear down front-running War Pass near the wire and win. War Pass was second, followed by a late-running Court Vision. The final time, on a drying-out track rated fast, was a slow 1:52.35.
Both War Pass and Tale of Ekati broke well. War Pass seized the early lead, heading up the field through a quater-mile in a fast :22.46 and a half-mile in :46.07 while being pressured by Inner Light, Court Vision's stable mate.
After War Pass went six furlongs in 1:11.50 and a mile in 1:38.42, he began to grow weary as Tale of Ekati and Edgar Prado inched nearer. In the final strides, Tale of Ekati came through the inside of War Pass to prevail by a half-length.
Meanwhile Court Vision, who was eighth, 17 1/2 lengths off the pace after four furlongs and 10 back after six, launched a bid on the far turn and moved toward the leaders.
Court Vision hung a bit in the stretch to take third, 1 1/4 length back of War Pass. Giant Moon, who was in fifth, then third position throughout the initial calls, finshed fourth, a neck back of Court Vision after running evenly down the stretch.
“(Garrett) said he was slipping a bit on the track. He dropped himself a pretty far way back and made a decent run to get third. Maybe he has lost a bit of confidence. I would think we would go on to Kentucky and evaluate from there.”--Bill Mott
“I was hoping that with the position he was in, he would get it done. It didn’t look like he was getting across the racetrack all that great. I was in a drive on him for a long time, and he was never up in the bridle. I know he ran on this track last fall, but it wasn’t as drying out as it was today.”--Garrett Gomez
On April 17, COURT VISION breezed four in :46.20 (1/25) at CD.
On April 27, COURT VISION breezed five in 1:00.80 (21/62) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
Court Vision lost his first race, then took the next two--a win on polytrack at Keeneland, and the one-mile, Grade III Iroquois Stakes on opening day of Churchill Downs' Fall meet.
Nov. 24, Grade II Remsen Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/8 Mile. Court Vision was trapped for much of this race, but he overcame adversity to win. He withstood a stewards’ inquiry and claim of foul to prevail by a neck over Atoned.
Tide Dancer was the pacesetter on the fast track, going in :24.33; :49.15; 1:14.49 and 1:39.85. Atoned then took the lead, but once Court Vision found his stride and room to use it, he came home strongly, the winner in 1:52.48.
With only a six-horse field, It was roughly run Remsen. Atoned clipped heels with Big Truck on the backstretch. Another problem came at the top of the lane when Court Vision, taken off the rail while making a wide move from last, seemingly impeded Big Truck, squeezing him against Trust N Dustan while struggling to break free for his stretch run.
The final time of the Remsen was 1:52 2/5, four-fifths of a second slower than fillies ran the same distance in the Demoiselle. The Demoiselle pace was much quicker than the Remsen. Court Vision ran the last furlong in a respectable 12 seconds.
"He had to work his way out and bully his way out. This horse has been all about courage. He finished so strong once he got clear. He’s got a bright future.”--Bill Mott
“I was getting bounced all over from the five-sixteenths pole to the three-sixteenth pole. He fought back and pushed them out because they were trying to push him in. To overcome that, you saw the way he kicked. He was just much the best.”--Eibar Coa
COWBOY CAL (KY)
Breeder: Stonerside Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Stonerside Stable
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat, Mariah's Storm)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Texas Tammy (Seeking the Gold, Hot Novel)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 7-1-10-0-0 (18) 2.60
Foal Date: 2-1-05
Performance at Age Three
Todd Pletcher said he'd like to take “the Barbaro route” with Cowboy Cal. Barbaro won the Laurel Futurity on turf, as did Cowboy Cal, before embarking on his 3-year-old Kentucky Derby campaign.
Jan. 1, Grade III Tropical Park Derby, Calder, 1 1/8 Mile (T). At 3-5 odds, Cowboy Cal lived up to his billing, defeating 11 others while going the distance in 1:46.95. Stable mate Why Tonto rallied to get second, beaten two lengths. John Velazquez rode Cowboy Cal, stalking the early pace and taking command on the far turn. They were in complete control coming down the homestretch.
“He worked good on the grass, and the Giant’s Causeways do well on turf, so we mapped out a program that included the Laurel Futurity.... He was pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and so was Why Tonto, but neither one got in.
"We will definitely try Cowboy Cal back on the dirt, possibly the Fountain of Youth, and go from there. The other horse (Why Tonto) keeps improving, and he’ll stay on turf.”--Todd Pletcher
“This is such a super horse to ride. We were in the spot we wanted the entire race, but going around the first turn and for a bit down the backside he got a little aggressive. I was able to settle him down though, especially once we got the lead. It seemed like he was pouring it on in the stretch, but he was actually relaxed and doing it pretty easily.”--John Velazquez
Feb. 16, Hallandale Beach Stakes, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/16 Mile (T). Why Tonto and Cowboy Cal, stablemates in Todd Pletcher’s talent-deep barn, finished one-two, reversing the result of their last meeting in the Grade III Tropical Park Derby at Calder on New Year’s Day.
Cowboy Cal was the 1-2 favorite under jockey John Velazquez in the field of nine. Cowboy Cal took the lead going into the first turn and set fractions of 22:85, 46:12 and 1:09:66. However, Edgar Prado brought Why Tonto up to challenge at the top of the stretch, and they wore down Cowboy Cal to score by 1 1/2 length. Cannonball finished another 1 3/4 length back in third. Why Tonto was timed in 1:40:20 over the firm turf course, winning for the third time in eight starts after two runner-up finishes in stakes in his last two starts.
“Why Tonto ran an improved race today, while Cowboy Cal was a little rank and didn’t handle the first turn too well, although he still ran a good race to be second after those fractionsm (22:85, 46:12, 1:09:66). I think there are things (Cowboy Cal) can improve on from here. We’ll see how they come back and see where we go from there.
"Nothing today would necessarily change any plans (a possible start in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland) for Cowboy Cal.”--Todd Pletcher, trainer of Why Tonto and Cowboy Cal
“He got out a little bit in the first turn, but I was eventually able to settle him down on the backstretch, but that was it. He just didn’t have it when the other horse came to him.”--John Velazquez
April 12, Grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland, 1 1/8 Mile. Monba stalked, then wore down stablemate Cowboy Cal in the final sixteenth of a mile on Polytrack to give jockey Edgar Prado his third victory in the 1 1/8-mile race. The winning time was 1:49.71. Cowboy Cal took the lead soon after the start under John Velazquez and held on stubbornly to finish second. Kentucky Bear was third.
The winner was the 8-1 fourth choice in the Toyota Blue Grass and paid $19.60.
“I was hoping for a dead heat right at the end; they were both running so well. You hate to see one of them lose. It was nice to see them both show up and run the way they’re capable of.”--Todd Pletcher
On April 26, COWBOY CAL breezed five in 1:00 (3/22) at KEE.
Performance at Age Two
Cowboy Cal raced without distinction first time out, on dirt at Saratoga. Switched to turf, he turned things around to win by 4 1/4 lengths going a mile at Belmont on Sept. 26.
Nov. 24, Laurel Futurity, Laurel, 1 1/16 Mile (T). Cowboy Cal (7-5) swept by the field and powered away to win by 6 1/4, timed in 1:42.80. Ridden for the first time by Edgar Prado, Cowboy Cal broke well from outside, saved ground on the first turn, and was never more than a length off the lead. Trainer Pletcher was in California.
DENIS OF CORK (FL)
Breeder: Westbury Stables
Trainer: David Carroll
Owner: William K Warren, Jr.
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Harlan's Holiday (Harlan, Christmas in Aiken)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Unbridled Girl (Unbridled, Sound Wisdom)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 3-3-6-0-2 (14) 1.80
Foal Date: 2-16-05
Bought for $250,000 at the Barretts March 2007 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
Performance at Age Three
Jan. 19, Entry-Level Allowance, Fair Grounds, One Mile 40 Yards. Denis of Cork 4-5) returned mixed messages in this win by a head over Unbridled Vicar (3-1). On the positive side, Denis of Cork was four-wide around both turns and down the backstretch, while placed fifth, then fourth--and he won on the slop. On the negative side, he was hard-used in the stretch to get up over Unbridled Vicar.
The winning time was 1:42.83. Initial fractions were :25.32, :49.89 and :114.90.
Calvin Borel came to Fair Grounds from Oaklawn to ride Denis of Cork, his only mount on the 10-race program. “He was struggling the whole way around, and there was no pace in the race. He was swimming the whole way, but that’s all right. He has a big heart and he did the job.”--Calvin Borel
Feb. 18, Grade III Southwest Stakes, Oaklawn Park, One Mile. Behind fast up-front fractions of :22.72 and :45.25, Denis of Cork made up an 18-length deficit and unfurled a three-wide rally down the stretch under Robby Albarado to capture the race by 2 1/4 lengths. Sierra Sunset (11-1), who raced relatively forwardly the entire trip, easily took second. The winner covered the distance in 1:37.89.
An 8-1 morning line, Denis of Cork opened up in the wagering at 2-1. From there, his odds drifted up until post time. He was sent off at 9-2 under Robby Albarado.
April 5, Grade II Illinois Derby, Hawthorne, 1 1/8 Mile. Denis of Cork was steadied into the first turn but never mounted a challenge. He was a soundly beaten fifth, defeated 8 1/2 lengths by front-running Recapturetheglory.
“We had a good trip, and when I asked him at the 3/8ths pole, I thought he was ready to go. He kept going but there was no kick to get there.”--Julien Leparoux
On April 21, DENIS OF CORK breezed five in 1:00.00 (1/23) at CD.
On April 28, DENIS OF CORK breezed four in :48.00 (5/44) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
Denis of Cork won his debut race at Churchill Downs on Nov. 24, timed in 1:22.42 going seven furlongs. He was eleventh of 12 at the first call, then uncorked a sustained drive to best Stungbythestorm by three parts of a length. The runner-up was over seven lengths clear of the show horse. Denis of Cork was hard-ridden at the end.
“We would have been disappointed if he had gotten beat. He is a nice colt, and he had trained with Blackberry Road. He was ready to run the first of the meet, but the quarantine put that on hold. He is a big, leggy horse and I didn’t even plan to run him at Keeneland, and that’s why I was shooting for the first of this meet. I wanted to run him before we left. I will look to stretch him out at the Fair Grounds.”--David Carroll
EIGHT BELLES (KY)
Breeder: Robert N. Clay & Serengeti Stable
Trainer: J. Larry Jones
Owner: Fox Hill Farms, Inc.
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Unbridled's Song (Unbridled, Trolley Song)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Away (Dixieland Band, Be a Prospector)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 7-4-11-0-2 (24) 2.20
Foal Date: 2-23-05
A Keeneland September 2006 purchase: $375,000
Performance at Age Three
Jan. 21, Allowance, Fair Grounds, One Mile, 40 Yards. Eight Belles opened her 2008 campaign with a 15-length win. She started on the lead and improved her position. Time: 1:40.40.
Feb. 17, Martha Washington Stakes, Oaklawn Park, One Mile. Eight Belles did not find any competition in this race and won by 13 1/2 lengths. She came from three lengths off the pace and scooted away, timed in 1:39.17.
March 16, Grade III Honeybee Stakes, Oaklawn Park, 1 1/16 Mile. Eight Belles finished first again, 1 1/4 length better than Pure Clan, timed in 1:43.91. She stalked the pace, got ahead and came home under wraps.
April 6, Grade II Fantasy Stakes, Oaklawn Park, 1 1/16 Mile. Facing only three competitors, Eight Belles broke in the air, then was forced to race behind moderate fractions of :48.12 and 1:12.46. However, she overcame adversity and managed to get the lead in the stretch. She outdueled Alina to win by 3/4 length. Pure Clan was another 3/4 length back in third. Timed in 1:43.06.
On April 20, EIGHT BELLES worked four in :46.60 (2/39) at KEE.
On April 27, EIGHT BELLES breezed five in :58.20 (2/62) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
Eight Belles raced five times in 2007, winning once. That was a blowout win--she prevailed by 10 lengths at Delaware Park going a mile and 70 yards in her third start on Oct. 30. She was timed in 1:44.40.
Shipped to Fair Grounds, she raced twice in allowance company, beaten by 13 the first time, then finishing second in her final race of the year.
GAYEGO (KY)
Breeder: Hargus Sexton & Sandra Sexton
Trainer: Paulo Lobo
Owner: Cubanacan Stables
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Gilded Time (Timeless Moment, Gilded Lily)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Devil's Lake (Lost Code, Diamonds 'n Dust)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-6-4-1-0 (16) 4.33
Foal Date: 3-26-05
Bought at Keeneland September 2006 for $32,000. A son of 1992 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion Gilded Time.
Performance at Age Three
Jan. 20, San Pedro Stakes, Santa Anita, 6 1/2 Furlongs. Third-choice Gayego (4-1) tracked the blistering early pace of Sea of Pleasure (8-5 favorite) before dispatching his unbeaten rival and drawing off to a 2 3/4-length victory over the early leader. Early splits saw a half-mile in :43.01 and six furlongs in 1:06.82 over Santa Anita's too-fast synthetic surface. The final time was 1:13.07. Meal Penalty (9-5) was fifth.
“He broke bad last time, and he got a lot of kickback in behind horses. He’s more mature now and I was expecting him to run a big race today. We’re going to try two turns with him and the way he’s settling, I think he’ll get better. And, yes, we did nominate him to the Triple Crown. You have to dream.”--Paulo Lobo
“He was full of run at the wire. He’s got a lot of talent, and I really think what happened to him last time has made him a better horse.”--Mike Smith
March 15, Grade II San Felipe Stakes, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. Georgie Boy (7-5) tracked Bob Black Jack (7-2) and Gayego (7-2) through unexpected fractions--:24.24, :48.75 and 1:13.02. The fractions were moderate, considering the speed the two showed in past sprints. Boxed behind the leaders turning into the stretch, Michael Baze waited to find room but found none and swung Georgie Boy out. Georgie Boy split horses, came around Gayego and beat him three parts of a length. Bob Black Jack hung on for third, beaten a length by Gayego. The race was timed in 1:432.35.
“He ran a beautiful race. Let’s see (what race is next). It’s too early to decide. I’m very happy. He ran a huge race.”--Paulo Lobo
“He ran dynamite. I’m really happy with the way he ran. He’s going to get a lot out of this race. He just got a little tired at the end.”--Mke Smith
April 12, Grade II Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Enjoying a perfect trip under Mike Smith, Gayego got a hard-earned three-quarters of a length victory over Z Fortune.
Gayego, who was making his first dirt start after four good performances on synthetic surfaces in California, became the fifth straight winning favorite in the Arkansas Derby. The other three California invaders filled three-fourths of the superfecta. Tres Borrachos and Indian Sun, both outsiders, finished third and fourth to Gayego.
Tres Borrachos, ridden by Tyler Baze, broke on top from the one-hole, with Gayego finding a garden spot just off his flank. Those two continued in that order through a quarter-mile in :22.71, a half in :46.61 and six furlongs in 1:11.09.
Leaving the quarter-pole, a confident Smith moved Gayego up outside Tres Borrachos, and the favorite took command turning into the stretch. Z Fortune, who had a wide trip from post 11 under Robby Albarado, made a run at Gayego in mid-stretch, but Gayego, under a steady left-handed stick from Smith, was able to maintain his advantage to the wire.
"My horse showed he could handle the dirt, and he also showed me that he will have no problem getting the mile and a quarter in Louisville."--Mike Smith
On April 26, GAYEGO breezed five on a muddy track in 1:01.00 (5/20) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
Gayego broke his maiden first time out at Hollywood Park on Nov. 18. He set or helped set fractions of :22.04 and :44.83 before finishing six furlongs in 1:09.19.
On Dec. 28, Gayego was beaten a length while finishing second in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance race at Santa Anita. The winner, Japanese-bred Reflect Times, hit the wire in 1:15.31.
MONBA (KY)
Breeder: Mill Ridge Farm Ltd. & Jamm Ltd.
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Starlight Stable LLC & Paul H. Saylor
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Maria's Mon (Wavering Monarch, Carlotta Maria)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Hamba (Easy Goer, Ciao)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 3-3-12-0-0 (18) 2.00
Foal Date: 3-16-05
Monba was a $200,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga 2006 Select Yearling Sale.
Performance at Age Three
Feb. 24, Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile.
Memo, Please Note: Posted March 25, 2008
For the second time after the running of the Fountain of Youth, the final and fractional times were revised. Today, Gulfstream said that upon review, the official final time for the 1 1/8-mile race will now be listed as 1:50.07. The initial winning time, on the tote board and in charts, was 1:51.85. A revision to the chart made yesterday called the race in 1:49.53.
Monba was squeezed on the opening turn, and that was it for him. He finished last of 12 as the 7-2 betting favorite. He had a cut following the race described by trainer Pletcher as a quarter- or 50-cent-sized chunk from the inside quarter of his right-hind hoof. Pletcher said he thought the spot would heal in one or two weeks.
April 12, Grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland, 1 1/8 Mile. Monba rebounded from a dismal performance to win. He stalked, then wore down stablemate Cowboy Cal in the final sixteenth of a mile on Polytrack to give jockey Edgar Prado his third victory in the 1 1/8-mile race. The winning time was 1:49.71. Cowboy Cal took the lead soon after the start under John Velazquez and held on stubbornly to finish second. Kentucky Bear was third.
The winner was the 8-1 fourth choice in the Toyota Blue Grass and paid $19.60.
“I was hoping for a dead heat right at the end; they were both running so well. You hate to see one of them lose. It was nice to see them both show up and run the way they’re capable of.”--Todd Pletcher
“It was beautiful. I was a very lucky passenger all the way and through the last sixteenth of a mile when the other horse was a little tough to get by.”--Edgar Prado
On April 26, MONBA breezed five in 1:02.60 (16/22) at KEE in company with Ready's Image.
Performance at Age Two
Going about seven furlongs at Keeneland in his debut, Monba (9-1) won by 4 1/4 lengths going away under mild urging. He was timed in 1:26.77.
Nov. 24, Entry-Level Allowance, Churchill Downs, One Mile. At 4-1 odds, Monba won again, this time by a neck to an inside-closing Macho Again (5-1), who apparently keyed his race to the winner, just behind him every step of the way. Monba was timed in 1:35.50 after tactically following opening fractions of :23.25, 4:6.30 and 1:11.08 set by Isabull, then Web Gem, both of whom eventually ran a few lengths up the track.
Macho Again was 1 3/4 lengths clear of the third finisher, Your Round.
Dec. 22, Grade I CashCall Futurity, Hollywood Park, 1 1/16 Mile. Monba (6-1) closed from tenth to finish fourth, beaten 2 1/4 lengths for all of it. The winner covered the distance in 1:40.82.
Into Mischief (13-1) breathed down the neck of pacesetter Eaton's Gift (19-1) and siezed the lead early in the stretch under Victor Espinoza. He finished strongly to win, holding off favorite Colonel John (2-1) by 1 1/4 length. Massive Drama (3-1) ran in third and fourth positions throughout and finished third, another half length back of the winner.
Monba was followed by Indian Sun, Sierra Sunset, Eaton's Gift, Meal Penalty, Overextended, Shore Do, Referee and Tres Borrachos. Slew's Tiznow and Old Man Buck were scratched.
PYRO (KY)
Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Pulpit (A.P. Indy, Preach)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Wild Vision (Wild Again, Carol's Wonder)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 8-7-11-0-0 (26) 3.73
Foal Date: 2-19-05
Performance at Age Three
Feb. 9, Grade III Risen Star Stakes, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile. Pyro (4-5) won by two lengths with a scintillating stretch run, coming from last at the top of the stretch while running by 10 competitors. Z Fortune (3-1) was second, Visionaire (5-1) third, Unbridled Vicar (47-1) fourth.
Moderate early fractions were set by Rich Young Ruler (112-1), who went a quarter mile in :24.52 and a half in :49.50. At point, Pyro was last. With six furlongs in the books, Rich Young Ruler was still in control of a walking pace of 1:14.62, and Pyro was still last. Entering the stretch, Pyro was...last. At that moment, Shaun Bridgmohan yanked Pyro about six wide, and without any wasted movement, the son of Pulpit proceeded to tear the whole house down.
The win, going away, was registered in 1:44.68. This was one example of the truth of the old racing saying, "Time only matters in jail."
Pyro came into the race off a solo workout that followed two in company with 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, when he matched strides with the champion.
“I just did what I was told to do, and it worked out very well for me.” Shaun Bridgmohan, who wasted as few words as Pyro did movement down the stretch
“He’s a tremendous horse. How good is he? He’s good enough to do what we just watched. He accelerated home. Guess his workmate did the job, huh?”--Steve Asmussen
March 8, Grade II Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile. Pyro (4-5) didn't wait until the top of the stretch to run this time. After staying within four lengths of a moderate early pace, Pyro and Shaun Bridgmohan threaded their way through horses in the stretch to emerge the three-length winner.
Pyro was rated behind fractions of :24.10, :48.07 and 1:13.86 set by 60-1 My Pal Charlie (60-1). While Pyro stable mate J Be K (-2) pressed the leader, Pyro and Blackberry Road (11-1) were alone in the second flight.
As the field turned for home, My Pal Charlie was about to put away J Be K as Majestic Warrior (7-1) and Blackberry Road launched a rally. But Pyro left them in their tracks, slipping between the two leaders and storming home to win by three lengths, timed in 1:44.44. Sent off at 4-5 odds, Pyro paid $3.60 to win.
“The last time, we were very cautious. Today, these were some very good horses. We prepared well. It looks like he’s right on target.”--Steve Asmussen
“I was not panicking with my position at all. I knew what I had, and he gave it to me. A spot opened for him on the straightaway for home, and he went about his business.”--Shaun Bridgmohan
April 12, Grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland, 1 1/8 Mile. Pyro was never in contention and finished tenth as the even-money favorite in the field of 12.
“I asked him for run around the turn to try and set myself up pretty good, and I didn’t get the response I was hoping for. I realized on the turn that it just wasn’t going to be his day.”--Shaun Bridgmohan
May 3, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Pyro broke awkwardly and inwardly at the start, was seventeenth or eighteenth for the first six furlongs, got on the two path in the far turn, and passed tiring horses to finish eighth.
On May 12, PYRO breezed four on a muddy track in :53.60 (35/37) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
Pyro had a debut win and third-place finish in an allowance/optional claimer, both races at six furlongs, going into the Champagne.
Oct. 6, Grade I Champagne Stakes, Belmont Park, One Mile. Pyro (32-1) made a belated move to get the place, beaten 1 1/2 length. War Pass broke on top of the field, extended his lead, and easily held off all challengers to win.
War Pass set fractions of :22.87, :45.72 and 1:10.24 enroute to victory in 1:36.12. He was bet at 9-2. Z Humor (35-1), who chased War Pass early, finished third, 1 1/2 length back of Pyro, followed 5 1/2 lengths more by Lantana Mob (21-1). The dollar trifecta paid $1,469. There was no superfecta wagering on the race.
Favored Majestic Warrior (1-1) toiled in fourth, closer to the pace than in previous efforts during the early going, before backing up to a sixth-place finish. Ready's Image, the 5-2 second choice, was last in the field of eight, beaten 28 lengths.
“We always thought, all along, that this was a quality colt. That’s why I came here today to ride him. He gave me a little hope when we turned for home. He gave me nice acceleration down the lane. But it was too much to overcome.”--Shaun Bridgmohan, jockey of Pyro
Oct. 27, Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Monmouth Park, 1 1/16 Mile. On a sloppy track, Pyro ran well, finishing second and defeating stable mate Kodiak Kowboy by 12 lengths. However, War Pass was best that day, defeating Pyro by 4 3/4 lengths, on the lead all the way on a sloppy track.
"It was a huge effort and he didn’t even handle the track. He was not comfortable with the track the first part of the race."--Shaun Bridgmohan
RECAPTURETHEGLORY(KY)
Breeder: Charles Jacobi
Trainer: Louie Roussell III
Owner: Louie Roussell III & Ronald Lamarque
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Cherokee Run (Runaway Groom, Cherokee Dame)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Cold Awakening (Dehere, Chilly Chick)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 6-2-4-0-0 (12) 5.00
Foal Date: 2-11-05
$215,000 Fasig-Tipton February 2007
Recapturetheglory is named in honor of--and with the hope of emulating--the campaign of their 1988 Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner, Risen Star.
Performance at Age Three
Feb. 29, Entry-Level Allowance, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile (T). Recapturetheglory made his 2008 debut on the grass--his first time on the surface--and after leading into the stretch, he backed up a little and was beaten 1 3/4 lengths, finishing third.
April 5, Grade II Illinois Derby, Hawthorne, 1 1/8 Mile. Dismissed at odds of more than 15-1, Recapturetheglory led start to finish to win. At the wire, Recapturetheglory was four lengths clear of Golden Spikes; Z Humor was third, another three parts of a length back. Atoned, the second betting choice at 7-2, was fourth. Denis of Cork was fifth.
On a day where the racetrack seemed to favor speed, Recapturetheglory, under E.T. Baird, found the front from post position 1, turned back a challenge from Golden Spikes down the backstretch, and drew off with authority to seal the upset. The final time for the 1 1/8-mile race was 1:49.01.
Recapturetheglory set fractions of :24.17, :48.64, 1:12.84 and 1:36.89.
“Louis Roussel named this wonderful racehorse Recapturetheglory because the Kentucky Derby got away from us. I told Louie to back his bags. We’re going to the Kentucky Derby.”--Ronald Lemarque
“He broke great, and he reeled back in really professional. He just rated real kind and when I called on him, he just gave me what he had.
“He ran second to Cool Coal Man, who won the Fountain of Youth. Regardless of what kind of condition that was, I think these three-year-olds are pretty much in the same boat right now”.--E. T. Baird
On April 17, RECAPTURETHEGLORY breezed five in 1:01.00 (5/16) at CD.
On April 25, RECAPTURETHEGLORY breezed five in 1:01.20 (9/27) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
Recapturetheglory broke his maiden in his third start going a mile and 70 yards at Hawthorne on September 7. He was timed in 1:43 after getting up by a nose. That was followed by a 2 1/4-length loss to Cool Coal Man in a 1 1/16-mile Churchill Downs allowance on Nov. 3.
SMOOTH AIR (FL)
Breeder: Mount Joy Stables, Inc.
Trainer: Bennie Stutts, Jr.
Owner: Mount Joy Stables, Inc.
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Smooth Jazz (Storm Boot, Blushing Issue)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Air France (French Deputy, Twin Propellor)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 4-0-4-0-0 (8) 3.00
Foal Date: 3-12-05
Performance at Age Three
Jan. 5, Grade II Hutcheson Stakes, Gulfstream Park, Seven Furlongs. Smooth Air (9-1) rallied through the stretch on a sloppy-sealed track to a one-length win over Silver Edition (13-1). Halo Najib (2-1 favorite) finished third, three lengths behind the runner-up and 3 3/4 lengths before Golden Spikes in the field of eight.
Smooth Air was taking a big step up entering the Hutcheson. Tiz It took the field through fractions :22:04 and :44:53. At six furlongs run in 1:09:96, Smooth Air was a head off the lead behind Silver Edition. He was timed in 1:23:21.
"The Calder horse did well. You should never count them out. I've been training for 40 years, and this is the biggest race I've ever won. The plan was to take him off the pace today. He broke his maiden in the slop, so I wasn't worried about the track.
"There are a couple of options to consider next, including the Sunshine Millions Dash (Jan. 26 at Santa Anita) and the Sam Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs (on Feb. 16)."--Bennie Stutts, Jr.
"This horse has improved a lot. I have been saying to the trainer that this horse will get better with longer races. He was jumping shadows early in the race, so I had to take him close to the other horses to keep his attention. If he hadn't done that early in the race, he probably would have beaten that horse by even more."--Manoel Cruz
Feb. 16, Sam F. Davis Stakes, Tampa Bay Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. Smooth Air (4-1) finished third by 1 1/4 length to Fierce Wind (3-1). He and Big Truck (9-1) were reserved early but began passing horses early in the far turn. Smooth Air, with Manoel Cruz up, was just to Big Truck's inside. As the tightly-packed field advanced around the second turn, less than 2 1/2 lengths separated them all. Big Truck went six wide while Smooth Air was just inside him leaving the turn. The pair hit the stretch in search of Fierce Wind, who had wrested the lead from front runners Z Humor (6-5) and Wise Answer (9-2) after Honey Honey Honey (24-1), the early leader, retreated.
Smooth Air dove to the inside and briefly threatened Fierce Wind, but in the final strides, Big Truck got past Smooth Air and fell a half-length short of the winner at the wire. Smooth Air finished third, another three parts of a length back.
March 29, Grade I Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Smooth Air outran his 16-1 odds to finish second, beaten five lengths by Big Brown, after being in good early position from post 2. Big Brown overcame the far outside post position 12 and limited experience to win. Big Brown led at all calls, widening his advantage down the stretch. Fractions were :22:76, :45:83, 1:10:08 and 1:35:18. Final time was 1:48:16
“He held good position. When I moved, he responded for me, but not sufficient enough to catch (Big Brown). I’m really happy for the horse, and that we finished second, but the most important thing is that the horse comes back healthy.”--Manoel Cruz, rider of Smooth Air
On April 13, SMOOTH AIR worked a mile in 1:41.00 (1/3) at CRC.
On April 19, SMOOTH AIR worked seven in 1:25.80 (1/1) at CRC.
Performance at Age Two
The colt was 4 - 2 - 1 -1, all at Calder, in 2007.
Smooth Air broke his maiden first time out, going 5 1/2 furlongs on a sloppy track on July 21. That was followed by a third and a second, going six and seven furlongs, respectively.
His final race of 2007 was a 4 3/4-length win at seven furlongs, timed in 1:24.20.
TALE OF EKATI (KY)
Breeder: Charles Fipke
Trainer: Barclay Tagg
Owner: Charles Fipke
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Tale of the Cat (Storm Cat, Yarn)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Silence Beauty (Sunday Silence, Maplejinsky)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 9-1-12-2-0 (24) 2.00
Foal Date: 3-31-05
Note that Japan leading sire and 1989 Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence is his dam sire.
Performance at Age Three
March 8, Grade II Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile. Tale of Ekati (9-2) didn't find much early rhythm and ran evenly home sixth, beaten 6 1/2 lengths by Pyro.
“It didn’t work out the way we had planned. I was supposed to be close, but we broke badly.”--Edgar Prado
April 5, Grade I Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, 1 1/8 Mile. Tale of Ekati surged up the rail to wear down front-running War Pass near the wire and win. War Pass was second, followed by a late-running Court Vision. It was the second straight upset of War Pass, who was favored at 4-5 odds. Tale of Ekati paid $19.00 to win.
The final time, on a drying-out track rated fast, was a slow 1:52.35.
Both War Pass and Tale of Ekati broke from the gate much better than they did in their most recent outings. War Pass seized the early lead, heading up the field through a quater-mile in a fast :22.46 and a half-mile in :46.07 while being pressured by Inner Light, Court Vision's stable mate.
Tale of Ekati, who had his head turned sideways when the gate opened for the Grade II Louisiana Derby, got away cleanly as well and tracked the two leaders in third, on the outside down the backstretch while moving closer to them.
After War Pass went six furlongs in 1:11.50 and a mile in 1:38.42, he began to grow weary as Tale of Ekati and Edgar Prado inched nearer.
“We always though he was a good horse. Last time, we took him to the Louisiana Derby. He got a little tangled up in the gate there and ran a disappointing race. We still felt good about him, and we worked out some of those issues in the gate.
"He showed up today big time. I thought War Pass was the horse to beat. It was nice to see Inner Light go after War Pass. We were laying a little closer than I wanted him to be, but Edgar has an intuitiveness that has served him pretty well for the last 30 years.
"I have a group of horses in Lexington, and he’ll ship down there tomorrow morning. Big Brown and War Pass are both in the Derby; that might work out well for us.”--Barclay Tagg
“I’m still in a daze. This is wonderful; of course, he had to beat a great horse, War Pass. This is our prep race for the Derby -- that’s where we’re going next if this didn’t take too much out of him. Winning this race is like finding that first diamond, that kind of excitement.
"He’s named for our diamond mine in Ekati, up in the Northwest Territory (of Canada), about 200 miles north of Yellowknife. I’d really like to come back to New York and win the Belmont Stakes--that would be my biggest ambition.”--Charles Fipke
“He didn’t break that well (in Louisiana). Today, he broke sharp, and he made my job easier. I had a beautiful trip, and I knew War Pass was going very fast. I was very proud of him. He kept on trying all the way. As far as the Kentucky Derby, we’ll see how he cools out and comes out and go from there.”--Edgar Prado
On April 17, TALE OF EKATI breezed four in :49.20 (28/29) at KEE.
On April 23, TALE OF EKATI breezed five in 1:00.20 (2/11) at KEE.
On April 29, TALE OF EKATI breezed four in :49.40 (8/29) at CD.
Performance at Age Two
In his debut, Tale of Ekati crushed a field of Belmont Park maidens on July 7.
July 26, Grade II Sanford Stakes, Saratoga, Six Furlongs. Tale of Ekati and The Roundhouse both closed to get second and third, separated by a nose. On a track generally favoring mid-pack closers, Ready's Image stalked three wide along the backstretch following Fed Watcher's fractions of :22.08 and :45.30, started to take over after four furlongs, got clear in upper stretch and drew off. John Velazquez reminded him he was in a race. Final time: 1:09.90. He won by four.
“I was pleased he finished second in a Grade 2. I think he is going to need more ground, but I knew that all along. We just need to get through some of these sprints. He handled the dirt in his face while being on the inside. After the wire, he passed the winner.”--Barclay Tagg
Tale of Ekati bucked shins after the Sanford, but trainer Tagg said the colt mended quickly and trained well subsequently.
Sept. 15, Grade I Futurity Stakes, Belmont, Seven Furlongs. After his colt hit the gate at the start, Eibar Coa took Tale of Ekati (3-1) on a rail ride home to defeat Kodiak Kowboy (4-5 favorite) by a length.
Mythical Pegasus (18-1) challenged The Leopard (5-2) for the lead from the start, and they battled through splits of :22.90 and :46.46. Meanwhile, Kodiak Kowboy, who had won four straight, took a clear, wide path at the top of the stretch. Tale of Ekati had hung back a bit, his jockey riding high while waiting for room. When Kodiak Kowboy appeared to have the leaders targeted in the stretch, Coa started riding Tale of Ekati and yanked him over to the rail, where he ran by the leaders to win by an easy length. The time: 1:22.33.
“We’ve been very high on him since we’ve gotten him to the track. He came back after his last race with some sore shins. He came back well in his workouts. I’m with him all day, every day, and you can really tell when a horse is coming to himself. We are very excited about him.”--Barclay Tagg
“He was very professional, and really helped me out. I was in trouble the whole race, being trapped inside. He was patient with me and didn’t get stupid. As soon as he came through, I knew he had it. I’ve liked him form he first time I sat on him. I think he is very good.”--Eibar Coa
Oct. 27, Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Monmouth Park, 1 1/16 Mile. The not-so-good news was that Tale of Ekati finished fourth. The bad news was that he was beaten 17 1/2 lengths by War Pass. He worked really fast, too fast, just before the Cup, and trainer Tagg was not happy going into the Cup..
VISIONAIRE (KY)
Breeder: Reiley McDonald
Trainer: Michael Matz
Owner: Team Valor International & Vision Racing LLC
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Grand Slam (Gone West, Bright Candles)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Scarlet Tango (French Deputy, Silver Tango)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 6-1-5-0-0 (12) 3.80
Foal Date: 2-16-05
Visionaire was purchased for $220,000 at the OBS June 2007 Sale.
Performance at Age Three
Jan. 4, Entry-Level Allowance, Gulfstream Park, One Mile. Visionaire won easily, better than the next one by 5 1/2 lengths. He was timed at 1:36.98 in this one-turn race and defeated nine others.
Bumped hard at the start, Visionaire was 10 lengths off the lead after the first half-mile run in :45.92.
Feb. 9, Grade III Risen Star Stakes, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile. Visionaire (5-1) finished third, finishing three parts of a length behind Z Fortune (3-1), but 2 3/4 lengths behind winner Pyro (4-5). Visionaire stayed on well to the inside after staying in touch with a slow pace--six furlongs in 1:14.62--just not good enough to overcome a scintillating performance by the winner, who went from worst-to-first in the stretch run of the 11-horse race.
March 8, Grade III Gotham Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/16 Mile. Visionaire (9-2) handled the distance, a sloppy track and dense fog to win. He collared Texas Wildcatter (5-1) in the final jump to win the 1 1/16-mile race by a nose in 1:44.60. The track was sloppy-sealed. Thick fog made the Gotham was a racecaller’s nightmare, but you could see Visionaire last after the first furlong.
Saratoga Russell (8-5) went to the lead, setting a pace of :23.78, 46.37 and 1:11.40. The track appeared to take its toll on the leaders, and Texas Wildcatter, racing with blinkers for the first time, pounced and moved to a clear lead in the stretch under jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr., seemingly having the race in hand. Suddenly, Visionaire emerged from the fog under jockey Jose Lezcano to nail Texas Wildcatter at the wire.
“We went in the TV room and couldn’t see a darn thing. We couldn’t see anything until the stretch. That’s the way to watch a horse race--just watch the last eighth, then you don’t get nervous. We were very nervous because of the way the track was playing.”--Barry Irwin, Team Valor
“I knew there was some speed in the race, and I was in no hurry to ask my horse. My plan was just to | |
