A LITTLE WARM (VA) Trainer: Anthony Dutrow
Owner: Edward P. Evans
Breeder: Edward P. Evans
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Stormin Fever (Storm Cat, Pennant Fever)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Minidar (Alydar, Minstrella)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 8-2-14-0-0 (24) 2.43
Foal Date: March 21, 2007
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE Feb. 20, Grade II Hutcheson Stakes, Gulfstream Park, Seven Furlongs. D' Funnybone made the chalk bettors happy by scoring at even money, and the Dutrow brothers pulled off a formful exacta with A Little Warm running second. After the race, winning trainer Dutrow said the Grade I Florida Derby would be considered for D' Funnybone.
D' Funnybone broke well for Edgar Prado and rated outside Wildcat Frankie and Hear Ye Hear Ye, who ran through the first quarter-mile in :22.37 and :45.10. In the turn, D' Funnybone took command while A Little Warm (2-1), who had been in a rearward placement under Jeremy Rose, was gaining widest of all.
D' Funnybone shook loose of the field in upper stretch. While A Little Warm made a late run at him, and finished second by a length, he did not challenge for the win as the 2-1 second choice.
D' Funnybone was timed for the seven furlongs in 1:22.14. A seven-furlong maiden race for 3-year-olds run two races before the Hutcheson was timed in 1:24.02.
Jeremy Rose, aboard A Little Warm: “I had a beautiful trip today, but I knew Edgar’s horse was the one to beat.”
Jan. 9, Spectacular Bid Stakes, Gulfstream Park, Six Furlongs. A Little Warm sprung the minor upset. At 5-1, he came from about fifth to pass pacesetter Wildcat Frankie (4-1), who set initial fractions of :22.37 and :45.60. The track was sloppy. A Little Warm won by 1 1/2 length going away. His time: 1:10.25--around two lengths faster than an 3-year-old allowance race earlier on the card won by Three Day Rush.
The favorite, Discreetly Mine, was sent off at 9-5 but came home fourth. He bobbled at the start. On the turn, he and Wildcat Frankie bumped. An objection by Johnny V., aboard Wildcat Cat, was overruled.
Winning trainer Dutrow: “I was very concerned about the conditions. Until they run on it, you just don’t know, but he handled it fine and was very professional. He always showed ability, but it took a couple of races before he put it all together, and then he really came around when he broke his maiden by 10 in his last start. I see no reason why he won’t go (more distance). We’ll discuss it with Mr. Evans, but the seven-eighths race (Hutcheson Stakeson Feb. 20) is there and we’ll consider that.”
Jeremy Rose, rider of A Little Warm: “The trip was beautiful. The horse had been training really well. Tony always has them ready for races like this. He sat there, took the trip perfect, and I felt like I had the winning horse from the half-mile pole in. I got him outside of everybody, and never had to touch him with the stick. A horse like, one that rates, will go as far as you need him to go.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
A Little Warm broke his maiden by 10 3/4 lengths going six furlongs at Philadelphia Park on Nov. 23. It was his fourth start.
ACTIVITY REPORT (KY) Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Owner: Westrock Stables, LLC
Breeder: Maverick Productions, Ltd.
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Bernstein (Storm Cat, La Affirmed)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Chandrina (Trempolino, Refill (GB))
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 4-2-8-4-0 (18) 1.25
Foal Date: Foaled May 5, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $45,000
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On March 8, ACTIVITY REPORT breezed four in :49.60 (10/26) at OP.
Feb. 27, Mountain Valley Stakes, Oaklawn Park, Six Furlongs. Activity Report checked in third at 6-1 odds behind favored Comedero (8-5) and Backwater Blues (5-1). He was nosed out for the place, but Comedero won by 4 1/2 lengths on the lead, timed in 1:10.22. Activity Report raced well off the pace in eighth early. He was slightly steadied while outside into the turn, then raced five wide through the turn. He finished willingly, well out in the stretch.
Jan. 16, Allowance, Oaklawn Park, One Mile. The track was rated good, but surely it was achingly slow. Acitivity Report won the race in a very dull 1:44.58, holding off Brewer by a length. Ricky Tick tried to come up the rail late and looked like he might pass Activity Report, but he couldn't sustain his effort and was third by 1 3/4 length.
“The track here is pretty even and safe, it’s just slow,” Terry Thompson said during opening weekend.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Activity Report won in his second outing back in June at Churchill Downs, but that was his only win in seven 2009 starts.
In the Sanford, Saratoga Special and Bourbon Stakes, Activity Report was beaten a combined 38 1/2 lengths--but at least he finished fourth to Super Saver in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile in November.
DEPAUL (KY) Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Owner: Third Street Partners
Breeder: George Krikorian
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Dixieland Band (Northern Dancer, Mississippi Mud)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Cool Alice (Slew o' Gold, Blue Jean Baby)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 11-1-12-0-0 (24) 3.00
Foal Date: March 28, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $22,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On March 2, DEPAUL breezed six in 1:14.80 (2/2) at FG.
On March 9, DEPAUL breezed five in 1:00.00 (2/13) at FG.
Feb. 15, Allowance, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile (Off Turf). Depaul finished fourth to Rock Hard by 3 1/4 lengths. The winner finished in a very slow 1:47.43 on a track rated fast.
The chart call: "Depaul prompted the pace outside Mr. Winthrop to the drive, got clear, and then weakened late."
Jan. 23, Grade III Lecomte Stakes, Fair Grounds, One Mile 40 Yards. Depaul pressed Maximus Ruler, the race favorite for the lead. But Maximus Ruler went on to finish second and Depaul did not, hitting the finish line eighth, beaten nine lengths by Ron the Greek, who basically inhaled the field in the stretch.
After a layoff of about four months, Depaul returned to competition at Fair Grounds on Jan. 3 and finished seventh in an allowance optional claiming race.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Depaul broke his maiden by 5 1/ 4 lengths Aug. 29 at Calder, running six furlongs in 1:13.25. It was his second start.
DOWN WITH DIXIE (KY) Trainer: Paul McGee
Owner: Jay Em Ess Stable
Breeder: Meralex Farm
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Purge (Pulpit, Copelan's Bid Gal)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Dixie Sue (Dixieland Band, Barbara Sue)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 4-3-8-1-0 (16) 2.20
Foal Date: Feb. 12, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $30,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
March 1, Allowance, Fair Grounds, One Mile 40 Yards. On a sloppy track, Down with Dixie took the lead late in the second turn after stalking in second behind Awesome Encore, who set early splits of :25.04 and :49.11. On the lead with six furlongs in 1:13.95, Down with Dixie backed up to fourth after being passed up in upper stretch. Fast Alex won the race, Island Soul Second, Awesome Encore third. The winning time was 1:41.16.
Feb. 1, Allowance, Fair Grounds, One Mile 40 Yards. Down with Dixie (7-2), never far back with Francisco Torres riding, continued willingly late to gain the place, finishing a half-length in front of Mr. Winthrop, who was a half-length to the good of Daddy Forty Nine.
But it was Hotep, the 4-5 favorite, who won the day by 3 1/4 lengths. Ridden by Robby Albarado and trained by Mark Frostad, Hotep was unhurried early while fifth of six runners for a half-mile. He commenced a four-wide rally outside the leaders approaching the stretch and drew off late to prevail under intermittent urging.
Jan. 10, Allowance, Fair Grounds, One Mile 40 Yards. At 5-2 odds, Down with Dixie led at all calls and prevailed by 2 1/4 lengths. His initial fractions were :49.10 and 1:14.81, with a final time of 1:41.46. He led by a length into the stretch and then drew away. Note that Down with Dixie broke his maiden in this race.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
In his first four career races, Down With Dixie raced six furlongs at Arlington, Keeneland and Churchill Downs, resulting in three fifth-place finishes and one in seventh. He did not contend in those races.
Stretched out to two turns at Churchill Downs Nov. 28, he stumbled at the start and then got to chugging along late and finished third behind Fly Down, beaten 1 3/4 length to a time of 1:45.57. He was 25-1 that day.
EIGHTYFIVEINAFIFTY (KY) Trainer: Gary Contessa
Owner: Moirano, Team Stallion Racing Corp., Lerner, Contessa, McConnell Racing Corp.
Breeder: A. Lakin and Sons & James Kintz
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Forest Camp (Deputy Minister, La Paz)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Lifeinthefastlane (Unbridled's Song, Inthefastlane)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-6-3-0-0 (14) 8.33
Foal Date: April 8, 2007
Fasig-Tipton Kentucky 2008: RNA $40,000
OBS 2-Year-Olds in Training 2009: $100,000
Note high dosage index.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On March 4, EIGHTYFIVEINAFIFTY breezed five in 1:00.00 (1/11) at AQU.
March 6 NOTE: Trainer Contessa told DRF.com he is considering the seven-furlong, Grade III Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct on April 3, but "it is absolutely not etched in stone."
Feb. 17 NOTE: Eightyfiveinafifty is back on the track, but his Triple Crown aspirations have taken a hit. Trainer Contessa told DRF.com that the Grade III Gotham on March 6 is highly unlikely. He said the six-furlong Fred "Cappy" Capossela the same date as the Gotham is possible, along with the seven-furlong Bay Shore on April 3.
Jan. 7 NOTE: "We have absolutely dodged a bullet here," said trainer Contessa. "This could have been the end of his career, and instead this horse is out a week Â… He has always been a very level-headed horse, so there is no reason to think he will not forget this incident and return to being the fastest three-year-old in the country.
"Yesterday was just another example of how difficult it is to have everything go right in this game," said Contessa. "Let's let the horse do the talking, and he will tell me when and where he returns to race again."
Jan. 7 NOTE: DRF.com reported late Feb. 6 that Mike Monroe, agent for Jorge Chavez, said that Chavez told him that Eightyfiveinafifty's bit snapped before Eighyfiveinafifty bolted in the first turn of the Whirlaway and crashed into the outer rail. Chavez was being evaluated at a hospital at the time.
Feb. 6, Whirlaway Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/16 Mile. With 1-5 favorite Eightyfiveinafifty bolting on first turn, things turned upside down and led to a win by Peppi Knows in 1:47.10 on a track rated fast.
Jorge Chavez was unseated from Eightyfiveinafifty when he crashed into the outer rail; Chavez was taken to North Shore University Hospital for evaluation. After the race, trainer Gary Contessa said Eightyfiveinafifty was OK except for a two-inch cut in his right-hind leg, and that he didn't have any idea what went wrong.
Gary Contessa, trainer of Eightyfiveinafifty: “The horse is okay. He has a two-inch cut on his right hind leg, and he’ll need a couple of stitches, but he was walking sound. I’m completely mystified as to what happened. I don’t know if it was the horse, the jockey, or an equipment malfunction. The bit was broken and the rein was shredded--the equipment was in shambles--but I don’t know if that happened during the race or after he bolted. He’s handled the turns fine in the mornings. I have no idea what happened.”
Jan. 28 NOTE: "I was very, very pleased (with his Jan. 27 workout). He navigated the two turns well, which is what I was more concerned with," trainer Contessa said to DRF.com. "Will he go two turns? There are so many factors involved. We'll see. At least we know he's a hell of a sprinter."
Jan. 16 NOTE: DRF.com reports: "A week before he hopes to be running Eightyfiveinafifty in the Grade I Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, trainer Gary Contessa may be thousands of miles away in Dubai, where he may run Hatfield in the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint Handicap at six furlongs on turf at the new Meydan track."
Jan. 14 NOTE: Eightfiveinafifty’s final time in his Jan. 9 race was easily the fastest six-furlong race of the weekend at the Big A. Excluding claiming races, there were five other six-furlong races run over the weekend, including three maiden special weights, one allowance, and one stakes race. The average final time for those five races was 1:13.83, about three seconds slower than Eightyfiveinafifty's time.
Eightyfiveinafifty earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure for his efforts – the highest figure by any horse in the country so far in 2010.
“Horses prove trainers wrong all the time,” trainer Contessa said on Jan. 13. “But I would bet that this horse will get two turns. Watching him in the mornings, I get the impression that he’ll run all day – he never gets enough. When he’s done galloping in the morning, it’s all the rider can do to pull him up. If I breeze him five-eighths, it’s at least a mile before he gets pulled up. He has a lot of gears.
“He is the best horse I’ve ever trained,” Contessa said. “I said that even before he ran. I’ve won Grade 1’s and Grade 2’s, but this horse is the most talented horse I’ve had. Now, that doesn’t mean he’ll be the greatest horse I’ve trained – he has to achieve his greatness. A big part of being a great horse is staying sound, and that’s the most important thing we’re trying to do – keep him sound. If we can do that, I really think he will far eclipse any horse I’ve trained in terms of achievements.”
Jan. 12 NOTE: Eightyfiveinafifty is expected to start next in the Feb. 6 Whirlaway at Aqueduct. "The Whirlaway I think will be a very easy race for him," trainer Contessa told DRF.com. "Then we have our chance in the Gotham to get plenty of graded money to get in the Derby."
The Gotham has a purse of $250,000, down from $300,000 in the past, with the winner's share $150,000.
"I think he could win the Hutcheson no question, but then his first chance going two turns is going to be against killers in the Florida Derby," Contessa said. "He seems to like Aqueduct, he doesn't mind the cold. I'm going to stay in New York and take this route and see what comes. I have Derby fever off what I saw the other day, absolutely. Interestingly enough I have a group of owners who would like to go for the ride."
Jan. 9, Maiden Special Weight, Aqueduct, Six Furlongs. After a long-awaited return folllowing bucked shins and a hock problem, Eightyfiveinafifty made a big splash winning the race by 17 1/4 lengths. He had the lead at all calls and was eight in front with a furlong to go. His fractions: :23.04 and :46.34 with a final time of 1:10.85. The colt was sent off at 3-10 odds in a field of seven.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
In his sole race of the year, which came at Saratoga, Eightyfiveinafifty ran with Discreetly Mine for a half-mile, got ahead of that one after a half in :44 and change, but wound up finishing third, beaten 4 1/4 lengths by Dublin.
FEARLESS COWBOY (KY) Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Owner: David Lanzman & Jeff Singer
Breeder: Gulf Coast Farms
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): El Corredor (Mr. Greeley, Silvery Swan)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Fearless Wildcat (Forest Wildcat, Scapegoat)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index:
Foal Date: March 4, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $19,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On Feb. 4, FEARLESS COWBOY breezed three in :38.00 (19/23) at PMM.
On Feb. 11, FEARLESS COWBOY breezed four in :50.60 (38/53) at PMM.
On Feb. 17, FEARLESS COWBOY breezed four in :49.80 (19/33) at PMM.
On Feb. 23, FEARLESS COWBOY worked five in 1:01.80 (1/13) at PMM.
On March 2, FEARLESS COWBOY breezed five in 1:02.40 (8/20) at PMM.
On March 8, FEARLESS COWBOY worked five in 1:00.80 (2/21) at PMM.
Jan. 22 NOTE: No reported workouts since Sept. 11.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
He won the Colin Stakes at Woodbine on July 18 following a second place finish in Woodbine’s Victoria Stakes on June 14. In the Colin, Fearless Cowboy defeated favored Who's Big Daddy for then-trainer Sandra Dominguez.
Fearless Cowboy was timed in 1:10.88 after sitting off fractions of :22.11 and :45.39 set by Solve the Code.
"Today we had the outside,” said Slade Callaghan. “There was other speed in there. He relaxed really nicely for me today. I thought halfway down the lane he could have been beaten. He saw (Who's Big Daddy) on the outside. He dug in and fought and wasn't going to let that one by at all. Some 2-year-olds don't have that too often. This guy is special."
Following the Colin Stakes win, David Lanzman and Jeff Singer bought Fearless Cowboy from breeder/owner Gulf Coast Farms and moved him to Kiaran McLaughlin's barn at Saratoga.
Fearless Cowboy went on to finish a distant third to D'Funnybone in the Grade II Saratoga Special.
Dec. 31 NOTE: There are no reported workouts from Fearless Cowboy since Sept. 11 at Saratoga.
GLEAM OF HOPE (KY) Trainer: Tony Reinstedler
Owner: Dr. & Mrs. A. C. Asbury
Breeder: Dr. & Mrs. A. C. Asbury
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): City Zip (Carson City, Baby Zip)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Victorious Vice (Vice Regent (CAN), Try Sympathy)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 16-5-7-0-0 (28) 7.00 Foal Date: April 30, 2007
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
Feb. 28, Allowance, Tampa Bay Downs, One Mile (T). Gleam of Hope made a good return to the races after multiple workouts at Tampa. He closed very well on the outside to finish second to Thunder Brew, beaten a half-length. Thunder Brew was timed in 1:36.10. Willie Martinez rode Gleam of Hope.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Gleam of Hope broke his maiden on the dirt at Ellis Park second time out, then won an allowance race on turf at River Downs the next time.
Sept. 7, Budweiser Select Cradle Stakes, River Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. Off the turf and on a track rated good, Gleam of Hope (2-1) drew off to a 2 1/4-length win, timed in 1:46.80.
Longshots filled out the next three places: Guys Reward (19-1), Harrods Creek (13-1) and Marathon Moon (12-1). Strike the Tiger (3-2) and Scottkeith'skitten (4-1) finished seventh and ninth, respectively. Nine ran.
The chart call: "Gleam of Hope was unhurried early, rallied into the stretch and got through along the rail, drew clear late under firm handling."
Nov. 1, Grade III Iroquois Stakes, Churchill Downs, One Mile. Gleam of Hope finished fourth behind Thiskyhasnolimit.
Nov. 28, Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. Gleam of Hope finished eighth of nine, beaten 16 1/4 lengths by Super Saver. Gleam of Hope did not show much speed at any point, while Super Saver bettered a 10-year-old stakes record.
Feb. 28, Allowance, Gulfstream Park, Five Furlongs (T). At 9-5 odds, and in his first turf outing, Grand Times went straight to the lead, then faded to finish fourth, beaten 5 1/2 lengths by Bernie the Maestro. The track was rated good. Grand Times went the first quarter-mile in :22.32 and was a 1 3/4 length behind after four furlongs in :45.18. The winning time was :56.63.
Jan. 9, Spectacular Bid Stakes, Gulfstream Park, Six Furlongs. Grand Times was made 8-1 at the windows and finished last of seven after chasing the pace three wide on a sloppy track. He ran out of petrol after a half-mile.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Grand Times broke his maiden sprinting 4 1/2 furlongs at Calder back on May 2. He won by an impressive four lengths, but then he was out of commission for several months.
Grand Times won an allowance race at Tampa Bay Downs on Dec. 12 going six furlongs. He cleared by two lengths, timed in 1:11.12. Always close to the pace after breaking from post 9, he edged away in the stretch.
Keeneland November 2007: $35,000
Fasig-Tipton Saratoga 2008: $120,000
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On March 7, IBBOYEE breezed four in :49.80 (21/56) at PMM.
March 9 NOTE: Ibboyee's next start is planned for the Grade II Swale on March 20.
Feb. 20, Grade II Hutcheson Stakes, Gulfstream Park, Seven Furlongs. Ibboyee did well to finish third after being bumped at the start and being rushed up the inside on the backstretch. D' Funnybone won, A Little Warm was second.
D' Funnybone broke well for Edgar Prado and rated outside Wildcat Frankie and Hear Ye Hear Ye, who ran through the first quarter-mile in :22.37 and :45.10. In the turn, D' Funnybone took command while A Little Warm (2-1), who had been in a rearward placement under Jeremy Rose, was gaining widest of all.
D' Funnybone shook loose of the field in upper stretch. While A Little Warm made a late run at him, and finished second by a length, he did not challenge for the win as the 2-1 second choice.
D' Funnybone was timed for the seven furlongs in 1:22.14. A seven-furlong maiden race for 3-year-olds run two races before the Hutcheson was timed in 1:24.02.
Jan. 7 NOTE: "He seemed to come back fine (from the Count Fleet). We're kind of stumped why he didn't perform any better. Physically, he come out of it well. See what the next book has to offer,'' trainer Pletcher told DRF.com.
Jan. 2, Count Fleet Stakes, Aqueduct, One Mile 70 Yards. Favored Ibboyee (2-5) finished fourth after chasing Laus Deo in second.
Winner and pacesetter Laus Deo was timed in 1:44.91 after setting moderate fractions, including a six-furlong time of 1:15.12. Laus Deo was 10-1. Worth A Buck, sent off at 18-1 under Alan Garcia, made a nice closing stretch move to finish within a length of the winner.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Ibboyee won three of his first four starts, including two state-bred stakes, the Aspirant Stakes and the New York Breeders' Futurity Stakes, both at six furlongs. He broke his maiden at Saratoga on Aug. 3.
Dec. 6, Damon Runyon Stakes, Aqueduct, One Mile 70 Yards. Despite stumbling badly coming out of the gate, Ibboyee took the race under Ramon Dominguez. Ibboyee settled in fifth behind slow early fractions of :23.95 and :47.96 set by longshot Vital Argument. Down the backside, Ibboyee began to improve position down at the rail but was then caught behind the tiring pacesetter and was forced to move outside of horses.
Once in the clear, Ibboyee finished strongly to get up by 2 1/2 lengths over 8-5 favorite City Trooper. Shrimp Dancer was another two lengths back in third. Ibboyee was timed in 1:42.78 after being sent off at virtually 5-2.
Trainer Pletcher: "He's done a lot of things right. At some point, we might experiment with open company, but right now the plan is to stay here this winter and take advantage of his New York-bred eligibility.
“I’m not 100 percent sure if was the wet surface last time (fourtth in the Sleepy Hollow). Cornelio Velasquez, who rode him that day, didn’t think he handled it real well, but he’d also had a series of races pretty close together. The added time since then has done him well."
Ramon Dominguez: "He was very, very sharp coming out of the gate and he kind of out-broke himself, that's why he stumbled so badly. Once he came back up, he was there for me, and pretty aggressive on the bridle. It seemed like they were battling in the front, and some horses were wide. I just sat on him and waited as long as I could, hoping for the best. When I got him out, he really gave me an awesome run and finished up very nicely."
Dec. 30 NOTE: Going into the Jan. 2 Count Fleet: “We think the timing is perfect to try open company with him,” said Jonathan Thomas, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher. “I think facing open company was inevitable anyway. He came out of his last race in good shape and has been training well.”
Bought in bulk transaction.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
March 6, Grade III Sham Stakes, Santa Anita, 1 1/8 Mile. Kettle River started out in tenth and finished eighth. Alphie's Bet started out in sixth and won.
Brice Blanc, Kettle River: “He never got into the race at all. He had gotten sick, and it kind of took a little bit of an edge off of him.”
Feb. 23 NOTE: With the Grade III Sham on the calendar, Kettle River might skip it. "He had a pretty good blow after the (Feb. 21) workout. I missed a work last week. He got a little sick on me. A mile and an eighth after missing a work leaves me a tiny bit concerned. If I'm not happy with him, I'll wait and run him in the San Felipe," trainer Harty told DRF.com on Feb. 22.
Feb. 20 NOTE: Interruption in Kettle River's published workout regimen. Still, this comment from trainer Harty, so maybe the clockers missed a workout: “I can’t imagine I’m in much of a different position than anybody else in the race. The horse is training well and this looks like a good spot to see what he can do.”
Jan. 6, Allowance, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. Kettle River ran down a pair of better-bet colts when scoring an 10-1 upset. With Brice Blanc in the saddle, Kettle River closed strongly to cover the distance in 1:43.76 while holding off the late charge of Hawaiian Springs by three-quarters of a length.
Bob Baffert’s The Program, the 6-5 favorite who was fourth in the CashCall Futurity, finished third, just a nose behind Hawaiian Springs following a wide journey. It was another 1 1/2 length back to 5-2 second choice Quiet Invader, another Baffert entrant who led the field into the stretch with good fractions of :24.11, :47.91 and 1:12.64. Kettle River was fifth after a half-mile.
Kettle River was the fifth choice in a field of seven.
Trainer Harty: "He's always been the best I've got for Darley. Ever since he broke his maiden, he's gotten better and better. I've really liked his last three works. I felt confident but it was a salty spot for an allowance race."
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Kettle River raced twice, winning once at on firm turf at Hollywood Park going 1 1/6 mile. He was timed in 1:42.77. From Bloodhorse.com: "Full Effect went to the lead early, but Saintly Seoul and Kettle River were up there as well. Full Effect gave it up after six furlongs and Kettle River moved to the lead."
In his first outing, on a sloppy track at Saratoga, Kettle River finished well up the track.
Dec. 27 NOTE: Kettle River worked five furlongs at Santa Anita.
Keeneland November 2007: $120,000.
Fasig-Tipton August 2008: $335,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
Feb. 25, Allowance, Gulfstream Park, Seven Furlongs. Latigo Shore vied for the lead three wide, then was steadied from between rivals at the top of the stretch and faded to finish eighth at 3-1 odds.
Soaring Empire made his 2010 debut a winning one. Sent off at 4-1, he prevailed by three parts of a length after being placed seventh of 10 after a half-mile. Following splits of :22.84 and :45.83 set by Roman Hall, then Havanadaydream, Soaring Empire finished in 1:24.50. Allez Reef second, Havanadaydream third.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
In his second career start, Latigo Shore broke his maiden at Calder, winning by 7 1/2 lengths at a distance of 6 1/2 furlongs under Joe Bravo. He led throughout and held a five-length lead at the furlong marker. He finished in 1:18.30, not a bad time at Calder.
On March 1, LETSGETITONMON breezed four in :50.20 (56/117) at FG.
On March 8, LETSGETITONMON breezed five in 1:01.40 (18/58) at FG.
Feb. 20, Grade II Risen Star Stakes, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile. Letsgetitonmon finished eighth, beaten 7 1/2 lengths, after trailing the field of 12 early.
Jan. 23, Grade III Lecomte Stakes, Fair Grounds, One Mile 40 Yards. Letsgetitonmon closed from eighth in the early going to finish third, beaten two lengths.
Maximus Ruler, the betting choice at 2-1, finished second after leading through fractions of :23.42, :46.80 and 1:12.27.
But it was Ron the Greek (7-1) and James Graham who passed all but one horse in the stretch run of the 10-horse Lecomte to win going away. In the early going, Ron the Greek was 16 lengths behind pacesetter Maximus Ruler. The one mile, 40 yards was timed in 1:40.09.
Letsgetitonmon (18-1) hit the wire third after also coming from well back in the field, followed another 1 1/4 length back by Cool Bullet (7-1).
Worldly, Turf Melody, Citrus Kid, Depaul, B'wanagoldmine and Rock Hard completed the order of finish. Callide Valley was scratched.
Citrus Kid, bet at 7-2 off an 8-1 morning line after a pair of bullet works at Palm Meadows, did not appear to enjoy the track and was never placed better than fifth as the route was run. Worldly, the second betting choice at 3-1, was in striking position from the start to the top of the stretch, but he flattened out.
Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan (Letsgetitonmon, third): “He finished really well. He was a little bit further back early on, but when I asked him down the lane, I had to weave my way through traffic and he really finished up well. I think he’s a three-year-old that each time they lead him over here he keeps getting better and better. He’s moving in the right direction and he tries hard.”
Scott Blasi, assistant trainer (Letsgetitonmon): “Letsgetitonmon is another horse who moved forward yesterday. With 3-year-olds at this time of year, if they keep performing well and showing improvement each time, you just let them keep doing that until they find their level.
“For instance, take a horse like Soul Warrior last year,” said Blasi. “He kept improving and went on to win the $750,000 West Virginia Derby. There’s nothing wrong with that. The point is, at this time of year, you just have to let them show you what they can do.”
Jan. 3, Allowance, Fair Grounds, One Mile 40 Yards. Letsgetitonmon rallied from ninth place to finish third--however, Stay Put rallied from last of ten to win. Meanwhile, Worldly, prominent throughout, stayed on for the place. The winner was timed in 1:40.67 and prevailed over Worldly by a length and over Letsgetitonmon by three lengths. Shaun Bridgmohan rode Letsgetitonmon.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Letsgetitonmon was a relatively healthy horse as a juvenile--he was raced seven times.
He broke his maiden third time out going seven furlongs at Arlington Park after a pair of sixth-place finishes at Keeneland and Churchill Downs. Another race on synthetic at Arlington, the Spectacular Bid, saw him fifth.
That led to three turf tries, capped off by a start in Churchill Downs' Grand Canyon in November. First time on turf was at Arlington--second. Moved to Keeneland--fifth on a yielding track after checking and bobbling at the start. And in the Grand Canyon--fifth after bobbling at the start.
MIDDLE OF THE NITE (KY) Trainer: Tom Albertrani
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Darley, Leslie R. King & H. Patrick King Jr.
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Offlee Wild (Wild Again, Alvear)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): A Loose Kisser (Kissin Kris, Shook Loose)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 4-2-8-0-0 (14) 2.50
Foal Date: April 25, 2007
Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall 2008 Yearling Sale: $140,000.
Keeneland 2-Year-Olds in Training 2009: $300,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On Feb. 28, MIDDLE OF THE NITE breezed five in 1:02.00 (4/18) at PMM.
On March 8, MIDDLE OF THE NITE breezed five in 1:03.40 (18/21) at PMM.
Feb. 13, Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes, 1 1/6 Mile. Middle of the Nite closely attended the pace set by Rule. Rule stayed on to win; Middle of the Nite faded to a fifth-place finish, beaten 15 1/4 lengths.
Jan. 7, Allowance, Gulfstream Park, One Mile. Middle of the Nite and Edgar Prado finished third, beaten two lengths for all of it.
Eskenderaya, the 6-5 favorite, won the race. While he didn't grab the lead immediately, he soon had it and led the field down the backstretch under John Velazquez. Through the single turn, Eskendereya set fractions of :24.78, :47.78 and 1:11.73 while being pressed by Middle of the Nite (9-2 off a 12-1 morning line)--the former was under a hand ride at that point. The pair separated themselves from the field heading into that turn.
Deep in the stretch, Middle of the Nite succumbed to a later-running Thank U Philippe (3-1), who launched his rally heading into the turn, urged by Julien Leparoux. The winner prevailed by 1 1/4 length and was timed in 1:36.79.
The next horse behind Middle of the Nite was another 5 1/2 lengths back.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Middle of the Nite broke his maiden on Oct. 10 in the second of his two 2009 starts. It came at Belmont Park going six furlongs. His first start, one at Saratoga won by Aikenite, resulted in a tenth-place finish. After a slow start, he was rushed up, then faded back.
Dec. 24 NOTE: Middle of the Nite was spotted working five furlongs at Palm Meadows.
Dec. 30 NOTE: Middle of the Nite breezed five furlongs at Palm Meadows.
MISSION IMPAZIBLE (KY) Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC
Breeder: Summer Wind Farm
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Unbridled's Song (Unbridled, Trolley Song)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): La Paz (Hold Your Peace, Classy Craft)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 7-12-7-0-2 (28) 4.09
Foal Date: March 2, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $200,000
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On March 7, MISSION IMPAZIBLE breezed four in :51.40 (49/56) at PMM.
Feb. 22 NOTE: Trainer Pletcher was at Oaklawn Park with Mission Impazible for the Southwest Stakes.
Feb. 20, Grade III Southwest Stakes, Oaklawn Park, One Mile. Mission Impazible was fourth after breaking from post 10 and getting in fourth position early, where he was wide. He finished fourth, beaten 4 1/4 lengths.
A closing Dublin finished second to pacesetter Conveyance. Clipping off quick fractions of :22.78, :46.75 and 1:10.67 in the one-mile race, Conveyance finished up in 1:36.94, three parts of a length before the late-running Dublin. Cardiff Giant was third.
Jan. 16 NOTE: "I thought Mission Impazible ran a good race in his comeback," said trainer Pletcher.
Jan. 9, Allowance, Gulfstream Park, Six Furlongs. Three Day Rush, with Edgar Prado aboard, made the lead, closely pursued by Mission Impazible (John Velazquez) on the outside. That's the way it played out, with those two clearing the rest of the field by 5 3/4 lengths. Three Day Rush barely outlasted Mission Impazible, the stable mates and race favorites a head apart at the wire. Fractions on the sloppy track: :23.07, :46.80, :58.73, 1:10.72. The final time was around two lengths slower than a 3-year-old stakes race later on the card won by A Little Warm.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Mission Impazible broke his maiden first time out, then finished third in the Grade III Kentucky Juvenile Stakes.
July 3, Grade III Bashford Manor Stakes, Churchill Downs, Six Furlongs. One colt who did not make the Bashford Manor was Mission Impazible, who was scratched the morning of the race.
“He just had a minor setback,” said Mike McCarthy, assistant to trainer Pletcher. “He is expected back by the end of the summer, and if he checks out OK, he’ll likely go to Saratoga.”
Dec. 27 NOTE: Mission Impazible may have been taken to Saratoga but we don't know for sure. He didn't put in a recorded workout or race there. However, Mission Impazible finally put in a workout on Nov. 29 when he breezed three furlongs in :37.00 (2/11) at Palm Meadows. Other works followed on a regular basis through November and up to Dec. 27.
NEXTDOORNEIGHBOR (FL) Trainer: Mike Machowsky
Owner: Amerman Racing Stables LLC
Breeder: John Amerman & Jerry Amerman
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Lido Palace (CHI) (Rich Man's Gold, Sonada (CHI))
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Fencelineneighbor (Wild Rush, Let Fly)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 2-0-2-0-0 (4) 3.00
Foal Date: March 7, 2007
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
March 8 NOTE: No next-race plans for Nextdoorneighbor, according to trainer Machowsky, who said he did not know why Nextdoorneighbor went to the lead in the Sham.
March 6, Grade III Sham Stakes, Santa Anita, 1 1/8 Mile. Nextdoorneighbor finished seventh after setting the pace, and Alphie's Bet won with a late run to the wire. The winning time was 1:48.72.
Sixth of 10 in the early going, Alphie's Bet and Alex Solis stayed around four lengths off pacesetter Nextdoorneighbor, who traveled the initial fractions in :23.62, :47.61 and 1:12.22. Turning for home, Nextdoorneighbor began to run out of energy as several in the field went by him. The Program, who had stalked Nextdoorneighbor, briefly gained the lead, but Alphie's Bet loped by and won going away by 2 1/4 lengths.
Mike Smith, aboard Nextdoorneighbor: “He was a little fresh. He was a little too sharp with the race not having been able to be run last week. But he acted like he really needed it. So hopefully he’ll improve off of it.” March 2 NOTE: Trainer Machowsky said the Grade II Louisiana Derby on March 27 or the Grade III Sunland Derby the next day are on Nextdoorneighbor's calendar if he runs well in the Sham on March 6. Feb. 22 NOTE: “He trains like a really good horse,” trainer Machowsky said. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed. Nextdoorneighbor is working good and acts like he’s got everything you’d want in a horse at this time of year.”
Jan. 28 NOTE: "I was anxious to try him two turns," trainer Machowsky said to DRF.com. "The mile and an eighth won't hurt him. I think he'll fit with the jump in class."
Jan. 25 NOTE: "It was a very impressive win," said winning trainer Machowsky, who also conditioned Nextdoorneighbor’'s graded stakes-winning dam Fencelineneighbor. "He's a big horse, like she is, and put together very well. He has all the assets she had, and he's always acted like a very talented horse."
Jan. 24, Maiden Special Weigth, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. Nextdoorneighbor won by four lengths in his first race around two turns. Under Rafael Bejarano, Nextdoorneighbor sat just behind the pace set by Exfusion for six furlongs (:23.62, ;48.14, 1:13.09), then took over at the top of the stretch and drew off. He was ahead at a mile in 1:37.62 and finished in 1:43.84, so he was motoring at the end.
He was bet at 6-5. Seven ran.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Nextdoorneighbor raced twice.
First time out, he finished second by three parts of a length to Twirling Candy going seven furlongs at Hollywood Park on Nov. 14. Second time out and racing 6 1/2 furlongs, he finished fourth to Concord Point, Leothelion and Ziggy's Stardust, beaten 2 3/4 lengths, at Santa Anita on opening day, Dec. 26.
Rafael Bejarano rode Nextdoorneighbor in each of those starts.
OVERCOMMUNICATION (KY) Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Repole Stable
Breeder: B. Wayne Hughes
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Unbridled's Song (Unbridled, Trolley Song)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Jealous Forum (Open Forum, Jealous Appeal)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 6-8-7-1-2 (24) 2.69
Foal Date: March 18, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $235,000
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On Feb. 19, OVERCOMMUNICATION breezed four in :51.60 (33/38) at PMM.
Feb. 6, Allowance, Gulfstream Park, One Mile. Overcommunication, at 2-1, finished last of eight after running mid-pack down the backstretch. He was done in the turn.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Overcommunication won his December debut at Aqueduct by five lengths under a hand ride. He was timed in 1:13.68 on a track rated fast while ridden by Ramon Dominguez.
PEPPI KNOWS (KY) Trainer: Timothy C Kreiser Owner: Philip, J. Messina
Breeder: G. Watts Humphrey Jr.
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Stephen Got Even (A.P. Indy, Immerse)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Miracle Worker (Seeking the Gold, Heart of Joy)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 7-6-17-0-0 (30) 2.53
Foal Date: March 31, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $7,000.
Peppi Knows is a gelding.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
March 6, Grade III Gotham Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/16 Mile. Peppi Knows attended the pace before fading to a sixth-place finish.
Feb. 6, Whirlaway Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/16 Mile. With 1-5 favorite Eightyfiveinafifty bolting on first turn and crashing into the outer rail, things turned upside down and led to a win by Peppi Knows in 1:47.10 on a track rated fast.
After breaking from the rail, a rank Eightyfiveinafifty took the early lead with Three Day Rush pursuing him from the outside. When the pair hit the first turn, Eightyfiveinafifty started throwing his head and ran toward the outer rail. Three Day Rush and David Cohen changed course and went to the inside of Eightyfiveinafifty, leaving Papa's Nice Cat, Three Day Rush and Peppi Knows to contend for the lead.
Peppi Knows and Richard Migliore had siezed the lead by the time the field was a short distance into the second turn; Papa's Nice Cat had backed off, and Three Day Rush was chasing the leader.
Afleet Again had been trailing the decimated field--Turf Melody was a scratch, and the incident with Eightyfiveinafifty left only four running--but he overtook Three Day Rush in the stretch to get within a length of Peppi Knows at the finish line, with Three Day Rush a half-length back of the runner-up. Papa's Nice Cat finished fourth, beaten 23 1/4 lengths.
Timothy Kreiser, winning trainer: “Everything went well, obviously what happened with (Eightfiveinafifty), I don’t know. It helped things, I guess, maybe it didn’t. It would have been nice to see that horse run just to see what we had there. We can’t do anything about that, he ran his race, and we’re really happy. The rider did everything perfect. He didn’t rush him, he just settled him down. With that horse out --that’s what all the talk was about--so if he’s out of it, you think you have a heck of a chance. We took advantage of it.”
Richard Migliore, winning jockey: “It worked out real good for us. We got to save ground when the other horse didn’t make the turn. He’s just a real nice handy little horse. He’s not a whole lot to look at, but he has a big heart. Anytime he felt the presence of the other horse, he ran on a little more. I just hope Jorge’s alright.”
Jan. 2, Count Fleet Stakes, Aqueduct, One Mile 70 Yards. Peppi Knows was scratched.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
In his first four races, among other things, Peppi Knows won the six-furlong Finger Lakes Juvenile Stakes and was third in the 6 1/2-furlong Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes at Presque Isle Downs.
Nov. 28, Grade II Remsen Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/8 Mile. Peppi Knows finished second at 20-1 odds, beaten 4 3/4 lengths by Buddy's Saint, regarded at the time as perhaps the best 2-year-old in the East. The third finisher, Citrus Kid, was another 2 1/4 lengths back.
The placing took the record of Peppi Knows to three wins in five starts, with a second, a third and earnings of $118,400.
Peppi Knows was fifth in the early going. The chart call: Peppi Knows "tucked in along the rail in the early stages, was reserved for five furlongs while saving ground, swung four wide while gaining on the turn...(sic) chased after the winner in upper stretch but was no match for that one while clearly best of the others."
The remaining finish of the field was, in order, Fudge Truffle, Homeboykris and Grand Rapport.
Dec. 24 NOTE: Peppi Knows worked a mile in 1:42.80 at Penn National.
QUIET INVADER (MD) Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Lanni Family Trust and Bernard Schiappa
Breeder: Hickory Ridge Farm
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Songandaprayer (Unbridled's Song, Alizea)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Beach Bunny (Storm Bird (CAN), Jewel in My Crown (CAN))
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-7-8-0-0 (20) 4.00
Foal Date: May 3, 2007
Keeneland April 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale: $370,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On Feb. 25, QUIET INVADER worked five in 1:00.40 (14/41) at SA.
On March 5, QUIET INVADER worked six in 1:12.40 (3/16) at SA.
March 8 NOTE: Quiet Invader is entered in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance on Santa Anita's synthetic on March 11.
Feb. 15, Grade II San Vicente Stakes, Santa Anita, Seven Furlongs. Quiet Invader didn't show much on a track that was very glib and finished fifth, beaten 10 lengths.
Sidney's Candy blew 'em away, opening way up in the stretch to win by -- lengths. He led all the way, clipping off fractions of :22.77, :45.50 and 1:08.62, with a final time in a really fast 1:20.91.
Tiny Woods was second throughout. Classical Slew, third at most points in the race, checked in third. Runaway Bandido was fourth. East-coast shipper Raging Wit, trained by Bill Mott, was last in the seven-horse field.
Jan. 6, Allowance, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. Quiet Invader set the pace but could not hold on. He finished fourth.
Kettle River ran down a pair of better-bet colts when scoring an 10-1 upset. With Brice Blanc in the saddle, Kettle River closed strongly to cover the distance in 1:43.76 while holding off the late charge of Hawaiian Springs by three-quarters of a length.
The Program, the 6-5 favorite who was fourth in the CashCall Futurity, finished third, just a nose behind Hawaiian Springs following a wide journey. It was another 1 1/2 length back to 5-2 second choice Quiet Invader, another Baffert entrant who led the field into the stretch with good fractions of :24.11, :47.91 and 1:12.64. PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Quiet Invader raced twice at six furlongs, both times at Hollywood Park. Beaten by a nose first time out, he won by two lengths over Close to the Edge the second time. His time: 1:08.98.
Dec. 30 NOTE: Quiet Invader worked five furlongs at Santa Anita.
RANGER HEARTLEY (KY) Trainer: John Sadler
Owner: David and Herb Alpert
Breeder: Stoneview Farm Inc.
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Lost Soldier (Danzig, Lady Winborne)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Deputy G. G. (Silver Deputy, Pandora Queen)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 4-7-12-0-1 (24) 2.43
Foal Date: Feb. 14, 2007
Tune up your trumpet. Herb Alpert is a co-owner.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On March 9, RANGER HEARTLEY worked four in :47.40 (4/26) at SA.
Feb. 20, Grade III El Camino Real Derby, 1 1/8 Mile. Ranger Heartley took the early lead, but this time he couldn't hold and finished fifth, beaten 3 1/4 lengths. Connemara was the winner.
Jan. 16, California Derby, Golden Gate Fields, 1 1/16 Mile. Connemara, at 3-5 odds, bobbled at the start but soon got into contention down the backstretch. However, that slow start cost him, and while Russell Baze got after him in the stretch, he lost by three parts of a length, which is pretty much the same the distance that separated the two at the furlong marker.
Meanwhile, up front, Ranger Heartley (5-1) got away with soft fractions of :24.20, :49.90 and 1:14.37. After a mile in 1:39.01, he had enough left in the tank and finished up just where he started--in front--in 1:45.40 under Julio Garcia.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
With eight starts, Ranger Heartley won three and finished on the board one other time. His maiden-breaker came fourth time out going six furlongs at Del Mar--his longest distance to date. That was a maiden claiming race, the same as his first three. Trainer Sadler had claimed him out of his third start.
In his sixth start, going a mile for the first time, he won by a dozen in a starter allowance at Santa Anita, and was then moved up to straight allowance company at Santa Anita and Hollywood. That resulted in a third-place finish and a win at 1 1/16-mile distances. His time in that 1 1/16-mile win was 1:43.46.
SILVER CRAFT (KY) Trainer: Tony Reinstedler
Owner: Charles Galli
Breeder: Charles Galli
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Value Plus (Unbridled's Song, Roll Over Baby)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Crafty Casa (Crafty Prospector, Cassadaga)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 7-4-7-0-0 (18) 4.14
Foal Date: May 2, 2007 PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On Feb. 28, SILVER CRAFT breezed four in :50.40 (31/53) at TAM.
On March 7, SILVER CRAFT breezed four in :49.00 (17/64) at TAM.
Feb. 13, Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes, 1 1/6 Mile. Silver Craft outran his odds, finishing fourth of six to Rule, who was even money. Silver Craft was 32-1 and was beaten 7 1/2 lengths.
Jan. 16, Pasco Stakes, Tampa Bay Downs, Seven Furlongs. Silver Craft got off to a rocky start and lost ground early, trailing the field by several lengths, albeit not as many as his losing margin. He tried to go after the pacesetters heading into the turn, but he couldn't make up the deficit and finished fourth, beaten nine lengths by Uptowncharlybrown, who was timed in a pretty good 1:24.28--and who won by six lengths. PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Silver Craft broke his maiden in his fourth start, running seven furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his fifth race, he tried 1 1/16 mile at Churchill but failed to fire and finished sixth in the starter allowance race. After vying three wide in a stalking position, he lost by 9 1/4 lengths.
Dec. 26, Allowance, Tampa Bay Downs, 6 1/2 Furlongs. After tracking the pace on the outside of two horses, Silver Craft was carried about six wide leaving the turn when the pacesetter forced him and another one out. That made no difference to the 6-5 favorite, and he smartly came home a 1 1/2-length winner. The time was 1:17.55. Peace Talker, at 9-2, was second. The third finisher, Good Lord, was another 4 1/4 lengths back. Seven ran.
SOLDIER FIELD (KY) Trainer: Bill Mott
Owner: WinStar Farm LLC
Breeder: Spurrmont LLC & St. George Farm LLC
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): More Than Ready (Southern Halo, Woodman's Girl)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Fantastic Carolina (Fantastic Fellow, Monica Anne)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 4-1-11-0-0 (16) 1.91
Foal Date: March 30, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $70,000.
OBS 2-Year-Olds in Training 2009: $70,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On Feb. 26, SOLDIER FIELD breezed four in :49.80 (3/12) at PAY.
On March 6, SOLDIER FIELD breezed five in 1:03.40 (3/10) at PAY.
Feb. 15, OBS Championship, Ocala, 1 1/16 Mile. Soldier Field finished a nondescript seventh after never being in contention. He chases horses to the second turn, fifth and then fourth, then faded. The winner, Quiet All American, was timed in 1:45.40 on the synthetic track.a.
Feb. 6, Allowance, Gulfstream Park, One Mile. Soldier Field, bumped and steadied at the start, finished seventh of eight after trailing the field early. Watch for him next time with his conservative trainer?
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
After finishing third at Keeneland in his debut, Soldier Field broke his maiden at Churchill Downs on Nov. 14--but it was when he was moved up from second to first via the disqualification of Boltronic. The pair were separated by a nose at the finish line after Boltronic bumped Soldier Field. Maximus Ruler was third by a head.
Dec. 31 NOTE: Soldier Field breezed four furlongs at Payson Park.
TAHITIAN WARRIOR (KY) Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Owner: Godolphin Stable
Breeder: Mineola Farm II LLC & David R. Houchin
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Maria's Mon (Wavering Monarch, Carlotta Maria)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Chatique (Deputy Minister, Chateaubaby)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 2-2-10-0-0 (14) 1.80
Foal Date: March 1, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $50,000 RNA
Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall 2008: $4,500 RNA
Bought by the owner for an undisclosed sum after his debut race.
A gelding.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
March 5, Meydan Classic, Meydan, One Mile (T). Under Frankie Dettori, Tahitian Warrior finished tenth of 12 after running mid-pack early before dropping back to last before the midpoint. Stable mate Frozen Power won. Tahitian Warrior was beaten 14 1/4 lengths.
"I'm very disappointed," said former trainer Dan Miller. "He's such a neat horse. I was really hoping he'd run well. But they changed a lot of things, such as the surface and distance, and I was really surprised he didn't show more speed."
March 4 NOTE: Declared for the March 5 Meydan Classic at one mile on turf March 5.
Feb. 16 NOTE: Not entered in the UAE 2000 Guineas.
Feb. 15 NOTE: An early declaration for the UAE 2000 Guineas.
Tahitian Warrior won his debut race at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 3 by 4 3/4 lengths and was timed in 1:09.96 under E. T. Baird. Stormy Ocean was second, Gothics Peak third. Said to be ready to ship to Dubai, he subsequently put in two workouts from the barn of Kiaran McLaughlin, who said he was just babysitting the horse pending his departure.
Later, Tahitian Warrior was shipped to Dubai where connections hoped to run him the Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas on Feb. 18.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Unraced.
TINY WOODS (FL) Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable
Breeder: Destiny Oaks
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Roman Ruler (Fusaichi Pegasus, Silvery Swan)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Brooklynsangel (Aggressive Chief, Cozzene's Angel)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 4-5-6-3-0 (18) 2.00
Foal Date: Feb. 14, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $180,000
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On Feb. 26, TINY WOODS worked four in :47.20 (3/64) at SA.
On March 5, TINY WOODS worked six in 1:14.20 (12/16) at SA.
Feb. 15, Grade II San Vicente Stakes, Santa Anita, Seven Furlongs. Tiny Woods finished second, beaten 4 1/4 lengths.
Sidney's Candy blew 'em away, opening way up in the stretch to win by -- lengths. He led all the way, clipping off fractions of :22.77, :45.50 and 1:08.62, with a final time in a really fast 1:20.91.
Tiny Woods was second throughout. Classical Slew, third at most points in the race, checked in third. Runaway Bandido was fourth. East-coast shipper Raging Wit, trained by Bill Mott, was last in the seven-horse field.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Dec. 30, Allowance, Six Furlongs, Santa Anita. The much-anticipated return of Sidney’s Candy, who was a “buzz” horse at 3-5 odds, never had much of a chance, according to onlookers.
Tiny Woods led throughout, setting hot fractions of :22.02, :44.38 and :56.14 before finishing in 1:08.89.
Along with that fast front-running victory by Tiny Woods, who will probably remain sprinting according to trainer Bob Baffert, Sidney's Candy was virtually eliminated after he hopped at the start. With that bad start, he was rushed into contention and made a move rounding the far turn, but Sidney’s Candy gave way in the stretch, settling for fourth in the field of five. He was beaten seven lengths.
Trainer Baffert: “He ran like he’s supposed to. He’s probably a sprinter, and he’s been training real good. We’ve always been high on him, and I think we’ll just stay here with him, and hopefully he keeps running good.”
WHO'S UP (FL) Trainer: Kathy Walsh
Owner: M Racing
Breeder: Andrew Cant
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Graeme Hall (Dehere, Win Crafty Lady)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Divine Rockette (Is It True, Robertina)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 2-2-8-0-0 (12) 2.00
Foal Date: Jan. 27, 2007
Keeneland November 2007: $55,000.
Keeneland September 2008: $95,000.
OBS 2-Year-Olds in Training 2009: RNA $170,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On March 2, WHO'S UP breezed four in :49.60 (1/1) at PEG. On March 9, WHO'S UP breezed six in 1:17.00 (1/1) at PEG. March 4, NOTE: Who’s Up is said to be a candidate for the Santa Anita Derby after his March 2 workout at the Pegasus facility in Redmond, Washington. “It’s like a four-star hotel,” said agent Tony Matos, who flew up to see the workout along with M Racing owner Mickey Gonzalez.
Feb. 20 NOTE: Still no workouts. He was left on this list because he was early-nominated to the Triple Crown. Jan. 22 NOTE: No workouts so far this year.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
In his debut, Who's Up finished second, beaten four lengths, on synthetic at Santa Del Mar. Connections took a shot and ran him in the Grade I Del Mar Futurity, but he checked in seventh, beaten six lengths by Lookin at Lucky.
Switched to turf, he broke his maiden in his third start on Oct. 24. He won going a mile at Santa Anita.
Nov. 28, Grade III Generous Stakes, Hollywood Park, One Mile (T). Who's Up triumphed by 1 3/4 length over Marcello, who would go on to finish up the track in the Grade I CashCall Futurity. Timed in 1:34.39, Who's Up breathed down the neck of 2-5 favorite Bridgetown before assuming command around the furlong marker. Meanwhile, Bridgetown came in fourth, beaten 2 3/4 lengths.
WORLDLY (KY) Trainer: Paul McGee
Owner: Jay Em Ess Stable
Breeder: Samantha Siegel & Mace Siegel
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew, Weekend Surprise)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Urbane (Citidancer, Dumfries Pleasure)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 7-15-20-0-0 (42) 3.20
Foal Date: March 23, 2007
A full brother to Suave.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
Feb. 20, Grade II Risen Star Stakes, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile. Worldly finished seventh, beaten 5 3/4 lengths, after running in fourth position early.
Feb. 14 NOTE: According to Fair Grounds track notes, Worldly's connections are looking to return him to racing in the Grade II Risen Star. “After he ran fifth in the Lecomte, we were originally going to give him a month and a half off, said trainer McGee on Feb. 13, “but he’s been doing so well, we decided to shorten it up to a month.”
Jan. 25 NOTE: “We’re going to give (Worldly) a little break,” said Galen Pruitt, trainer McGee’s assistant. “We’re going to give him about a month and a half off.”
Jan. 23, Grade III Lecomte Stakes, Fair Grounds, One Mile 40 Yards. Worldly, the second betting choice at 3-1, was in striking position from the start to the top of the stretch, but he flattened out to finish fifth, beaten four lengths.
Maximus Ruler, the betting choice at 2-1, finished second after leading through fractions of :23.42, :46.80 and 1:12.27.
But it was Ron the Greek (7-1) and James Graham who passed all but one horse in the stretch run of the 10-horse Lecomte to win going away. In the early going, Ron the Greek was 16 lengths behind pacesetter Maximus Ruler. The one mile, 40 yards was timed in 1:40.09.
Letsgetitonmon (18-1) hit the wire third after also coming from well back in the field, beaten two lengths, followed another 1 1/4 length back by Cool Bullet (7-1).
Worldly, Turf Melody, Citrus Kid, Depaul, B'wanagoldmine and Rock Hard completed the order of finish. Callide Valley was scratched.
Robby Albarado (Worldly, fifth): “I had a beautiful trip. I sat right behind the lead horses. I was content the whole way. I had a great rail trip turning for home, just didn’t have enough horse to go on.”
Jan. 4 NOTE: “Worldly came back really good yesterday,” said McGee. “I thought he ran a big race. He was a little rank early, but Cisco (Torres) took him back and settled him down. I was pleased with the way he came running at the end. Right now I’m leaning toward the Lecomte with him.”
Jan. 3, Allowance, Fair Grounds, One Mile 40 Yards. Under Francisco Torres, Worldly was prominent throughout the race in a stalking trip and finished second to Stay Put as the 2-1 favorite. He was two lengths to the good of Letsgetitonmon (16-1). Hotep (6-1) was another length back in fourth.
But it was Stay Put (7-1) who came out best. He came from last place to win by one length, timed in 1:40.67. Depaul made the pace with splits of :24.23 and :48.56 before tiring to finish seventh.
Stay Put was confidently ridden by Jamie Theriot. It was Stay Put's second career win in four lifetime starts.
Walking the Beach, the 5-2 second choice, wound up ninth, only beating a horse that did not finish.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
On Nov. 8 at Churchill Downs, Worldly fought back after being headed to win by a nose. Worldly, a full brother to millionaire Suave, won this race at 1 1/16 mile in his third start, rallying to edge Colizeo after that rival ran by Worldly and opened a half-length lead in the stretch. “The heart, that part you can’t teach,” McGee said.
“Worldly is nominated to the Kentucky Jockey Club, but we are leaning against that,” trainer McGee said.
Nov. 28, Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. Trainer McGee changed his lean and finished third.
Super Saver and Calvin Borel led throughout and rolled to a five-length victory over William’s Kitten in stakes-record time to win. Meanwhile, William's Kitten finished 4 1/2 lengths better than Worldly, who checked in third. William's Kitten attempted to close from the clouds under Miguel Mena.
Borel sent Super Saver right to the lead and ran unopposed through fractions of :23.33, :46.75 and 1:11.43. Approaching the top of the stretch, Worldly and Activity Report ranged up on the outside of Super Saver but never struck the front as Borel let out another notch on Super Saver. Super Saver widened his margin in the stretch.
Paul McGee, trainer: “I was happy with my horse, because I thought he was beat at the eighth pole and he dug in. For one thing, there wasn’t any beating the winner. So to be third, I was happy.”
Francisco Torres, jockey: “He ran big. There’s plenty of room for improvement on this horse. He’s immature, but today he showed a lot of guts because he kind of pressured the winner. There was no beating the winner today. After the winner kicked on, a lot of horses would get discouraged – but not him. He kept digging in.”
Dec. 30 NOTE: Worldly is training at Fair Grounds.
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