2008 OBS 2008 Yearling Sale: $60,000.
2009 OBS 2-Year-Olds in Training: $225,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On March 7, AIKENITE Aikenite breezed four in :49.00 (12/56) at PMM.
Feb. 23 NOTE: Aikenite will compete in the Grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes on April 10, trainer Pletcher told DRF.com. He finished a fast-closing second to Noble's Promise there last Fall in the Grade I Dixiana Breeders' Futurity.
Feb. 20, Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Aikenite broke well from post one, rated, and made a move entering the far turn after recovering from a bump. He finished three-quarters of a length behind Jackson Bend, followed closely a length by Pleasant Prince, who was sent off at 50-1 odds.
But it was Eskendereya who won this race, and he did it by 8 1/2 lengths.
Jan. 26 NOTE: "He stumbled a little bit at the start and was always under pressure from Jackson Bend on his outside," trainer Pletcher told DRF.com. "He really couldn't settle. I think he'll settle better going two turns, and hopefully this race will move us forward."
Jan. 23, Grade III Holy Bull Stakes, Gulfstream Park, One Mile. Aikenite contended for the lead but faded to a sixth-place finish, beaten 5 3/4 lengths.
Winslow Homer (7-2 second choice) laid off the early pace, got in the mix on the turn and found a seam in the stretch to get by the inside of Jackson Bend and win. He was timed in 1:35.97.
Jackson Bend, the 8-5 favorite, was always prominent in the race on the outside after breaking from post 9. He stayed on for second, beaten three-quarters of a length, while William's Kitten (12-1) came on late and wide for third, another 3 1/4 lengths back. It was tight for fourth, with Thank U Philippe (15-1) edging out Homeboykris (5-1) and beaten six lengths for all of it.
After a very abbreviated runup to the timer after the break, Piscitelli, Aikenite, Homeboykris and Jackson Bend slugged it out for the lead and went the first quarter-mile in :23.86. Thank U Philippe, never far back, joined that fray with the half timed in :45.76. Meanwhile, Piscitelli dropped out of contention.
Rounding the turn, Thank U Philippe, then Homeboykris, grabbed a short lead as Aikenite backed out of it with six furlongs run in 1:09.66. But Winslow Homer was about to begin making his move in earnest. By the time the field reached the furlong marker, Winslow Homer had knifed through the pack and led by a head.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Aikenite broke his maiden at first asking and was sent into stakes competition.
Sept. 7, Grade I Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes, Saratoga, Seven Furlongs. The 3-1 favorite off an 8-1 morning line, Dublin won by two lengths. Mid-pack early after stumbling from post 12, Dublin took over at about the furlong marker and extended his lead. He hit the wire in 1:23.52.
Second was Aspire (8-1), who came from tenth in the early going, and third was Aikenite (20-1), who came from eleventh in the backstretch. Backtalk (9-2) finished fourth.
Todd Pletcher trainer of Aikenite: “When you run second 28 times, it's only fitting that you finish second in the meet. It's a little bit frustrating. Linda (Rice) had a great meet. It's quite an accomplishment. She should be proud.”
Alan Garcia, rider of Aikenite: “He was a little slow in the beginning and then he was a little scared by the dirt hitting him. Just like Todd said, you have to keep riding, keep pushing him. The harder you ride, the better he is. He broke OK and I had a good trip. Todd said to sit on him and make one run, and he did run at the end. He’s a nice horse.”
Oct. 10, Grade I Dixiana Breeders' Futurity, Keeneland, 1 1/16 Mile. Aikenite finished well to take a good second. Noble’s Promise won at 12-1 odds to earn a start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Willie Martinez sent Noble's Promise to the front with a quarter mile remaining in the 1 1/16-mile race, and they held off Aikenite for a half-length victory. It was three lengths back to third-place Roman Invasion, and another 1 1/4 length to Make Music for Me.
The winner crossed the finish line in 1:43.12. Noble's Promise paid $27.80 as the sixth choice in the wagering.
Cot Campbell of Dogwood Stable, owner of second-place finisher Aikenite: “I thought it was terrific. We’ll have to look at going to California. He did it all right. He lost a little ground in the process but was very professional in a gigantic field. We were thrilled with him. Coming out of the Hopeful, he acted like he wanted a mile and a sixteenth or more, and he sure proved it today. We would have liked to have gotten it all but he didn’t get beat but a neck. I think we definitely have to take him to
California.”
Alan Garcia, rider of Aikenite: “He did everything right. He broke good. Just did everything right. If he had a little more distance, he would have won. He’s a nice horse. I think he has a big chance in the Breeders' Cup.”
Nov. 7, Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. Aikenite finished fifth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Vale of York, after being steadied in deep stretch.
Aikenite raced up close in fourth the first couple of furlongs, which was surprising, then he dropped back to seventh before making a nice move on the far turn. He found an unlucky spot to be steadied--just behind the eventual winner.
Dec. 27 NOTE: Aikenite breezed five furlongs at Palm Meadows. He had already breezed twice there in December.
AMERICAN LION (KY) Trainer: Eion Harty
Owner: WinStar Farm LLC
Breeder: WinStar Farm LLC and Dr. William Lockridge
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Tiznow (Cee's Tizzy, Cee's Song)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Storm Tide (Storm Cat, City Band)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 6-3-7-0-0 (16) 3.57
Foal Date: Feb. 10, 2007 PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On Feb. 24, AMERICAN LION worked four in :48.60 (19/54) at SA.
On March 2, AMERICAN LION worked five in 1:01.80 (23/42) at SA.
On March 8, AMERICAN LION worked five in 1:00.00 (15/82) at SA.
March 8 NOTE: Trainer Harty said Julien Leparoux will ride American Lion in the Grade II San Felipe on March 13. Leparoux is based in South Florida and traveled to California to ride American Lion last time out.
Feb. 25 NOTE: “I haven’t decided what might be next,” for American Lion, trainer Eoin Harty said on Feb. 24.
Feb. 14 NOTE: Trainer Harty said American Lion came out of the Robert B. Lewis Stakes in good order, but “nothing is set in stone” for his next race. “I’ll have to talk it over with the owners first,” he said.
Feb. 13, Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. American Lion closely attended the pace set by Tiz Chrome, then both of them were passed up. American Lion finished third, beaten 2 1/4 lengths. Five ran.
A pace duel was led by Tiz Chrome and American Lion. Tiz Chrome wnt through the opening quarter-mile in :23.27 and the first half in :47.11, with American Lion on his right flank. In the meantime, Caracortado was sitting in a pocket in third, alone, whille Tango Tango and Dave in Dixie and tracked in the rear, less than six lengths separating the field.
Tiz Chrome and American Lion gave up the lead to Caracortado near the top of the stretch, and the winner scampered off to an easy win, timed in 1:41.75.
Davie in Dixie made a strong late run to capture second, edging out Ameican Lion by a half-length. Tiz Chrome settled for fourth, beaten 4 1/2 lengths. Tango Tango completed the order of finish.
Jan. 30 NOTE: American Lion's next stop is the Grade II Robert B. Lewis. "I want to keep my eye on the big prize and use this as a stepping-stone," trainer Harty told DRF.com.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
WinStar Farm's American Lion, a son of Tiznow trained by Eoin Harty, came into the Hollywood Prevue off a 6 3/4-length maiden romp as a short price at Keeneland on Oct. 18 in his second start. That followed a second-place finish in his debut at Arlington Park in September. Julien Leparoux flew in from Kentucky to ride American Lion once again.
Nov. 21, Grade III Hollywood Prevue, Hollywood Park, Seven Furlongs. American Lion established himself as a major contender for the CashCall Futurity with his second win in three starts.
American Lion, third behind Bob Baffert-trained runners Macias and Indian Firewater with a furlong to run, moved to the front with ease under Julien Leparoux and held off 20-1 shot Get My Fix in the final sixteenth to win by a half-length. He was timed in 1:22.49 as the 3-5 favorite.
Julien Leparoux: “This was a good learning experience for him. He needs to learn more and he’s still a big baby. That’s good though, because he’s still winning. When the other horse came up to him at the wire, he just took off again. It’s not like’s he’s tired or anything. He’s just a little green, but he’s a nice horse.”
Eion Harty: “This horse is very sensible, but he’s still unfocused. Coming down the stretch, he was flicking his ears and looking at everything. But there’s plenty of time to correct that before Derby Day, if we get that far. At the three-eighths pole I thought he was in trouble. It looked like he was under a ride and going nowhere. But he got to running in the lane.”
NOTE: American Lion skipped the CashCall Futurity.
Dec. 29 NOTE: American Lion worked five furlongs at Santa Anita. He had already breezed twice there in December.
AWESOME ACT (KY) Trainer: Jeremy Noseda
Owner: Mrs. Susan Roy & Vinery Stables
Breeder: Flaxman Holdings Ltd.
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Awesome Again (Deputy Minister, Primal Force)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Houdini's Honey (Mr. Prospector, Coup de Folie)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 15-3-14-0-0 (32) 3.57
Foal Date: April 17, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $240,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
March 8 NOTE: The Grade I Wood Memorial on April 3 is definitely next for Awesome Act.
March 6, Grade III Gotham Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/16 Mile. Awesome Act made his return to the U. S. a winning one with an easy win under steady urging by Julien Leparoux in his first career start on dirt.
Reserved early behind fast early fractons of :22.65 and :46.60 set by Wow Wow Wow, Awesome Act took command in mid-stretch won handily, timed in 1:43.85. Yawanna Twist closed well to finish second, beaten 1 1/4 length, with Nacho Friend another 1 3/4 length back in third. Turf Melody came running late up the rail for fourth, 4 1/4 lengths behind the winner.
Three Day Rush siezed the lead as the field entered the far turn with six furlongs timed in 1:11.90, and Nacho Friend stayed on as Wow Wow Wow began to tire. Awesome Act began to make his move at that point and showed a quick turn of foot to go from fourth position through traffic to a three-length lead at the furlong marker.
The Gotham was considered wide open, with the favorite at 7-2 during much of the wagering. That favorite happened to be Awesome Act, who was bet down late to 5-2, resulting in payoffs of $7.70, $5.10 and $3.80. Yawanna Twist was the second choice at 7-2, while Nacho Friend was bet at 8-1, and Turf Melody 11-1.
Jeremy Noseda, winning trainer: “He handled the dirt today. You would think a horse by Awesome Again would handle the dirt. For the first time, it’s all we could ask for. He’s a horse that is reminding me all the time of (2004 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner) Wilko.
“I believed in this horse today. It was a good, solid race, but there were no graded stakes winners. It’s the first hurdle out of the way, so the dream lives on. We’ll be back for the Wood Memorial. He’ll stay at Belmont Park, in Steve Asmussen’s barn with my team, and get ready for the Wood.
“We had the discussion about him possibly being a Derby horse after the Breeders’ Cup. I stood up and said ‘I believe I can do it from Europe.’ Now he’s been in America, and we can move forward. I will be going back to Newmarket, maybe I’ll come in for a day and watch him train.”
Julien Leparoux, winning jockey: “He just did everything perfect. He broke well and appeared to get a good position around the first turn, relaxed on the backside, and he was good. He was beyond good on the dirt; it didn’t matter to him at all. He just did everything on his own, he put me in the right spots, and then he just finished very nice. I think more distance will be good.”
Edgar Prado, rider aboard Yawanna Twist: I'm very happy. I was right behind the winner, and when the winner got through I followed him. It was the first time I had to really get in and ride him hard and I think he relaxed and took a couple strides and figured out what to do. He's a very nice horse and I'm very happy with it.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
In 2009, Awesome Act last raced in the Grade II Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, finishing a closing fourth, beaten 1 1/2 length by Pounced. That race followed a ninth-place finish in the Group 1 Dewhurst at Newmarket. Before the Dewhurst, Awesome Act had hit the board three times in three races on turf and synthetic track before breaking his maiden in his fourth start, a turf race.
Taken back to England after Breeders' Cup, he was unraced over the winter.
BUDDY'S SAINT (KY) Trainer: Bruce Levine
Owner: Kingfield Stables & Eli Lomita
Breeder: Roy Gottlieb & Morton Fink
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Saint Liam (Saint Ballado, Quiet Dance)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Tuzia (Blushing John, Fleet Road)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-1-13-1-0 (20) 1.67
Foal Date: Feb. 23, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $100,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
March 5 NOTE: Buddy's Saint was kept away from the race track until Feb. 28.
"He got banged pretty good, and while he appeared to come out of it okay he showed a couple of days after the race that he was dinged a little bit," trainer Levine told DRF.com on March 3. "I just decided to wait until he was 100 percent before sending him back to the track. He probably won't gallop until Friday or Saturday, but an extra few days really shouldn't be an issue since we've got an extra two weeks now that we've decided to pass the Florida Derby and await the Wood."
Feb. 23 NOTE: His confidence shaken, trainer Levine told DRF.com, "I won't bring him to Churchill Downs just for the sake of running in the Derby if it's not the right thing to do." While next-race plans are being thought and talked about, it's too early to know, and Levine has not been able to fully assess how Buddy's Saint is doing.
Feb. 22 NOTE: “He came out of it good,” said trainer Levine. “We’ll give him a few days and then take him back to the track and see how he is from there. I won’t make up my mind for a week or two to see how he’s doing before deciding where he goes next.
“(Lezcano) said we got shut off going into the first turn, so we really had a rough trip and had trouble making up ground. It’s a tough track to make up ground on, so we’ll just throw the race out and start again."
Feb. 20, Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Buddy's Saint, the crowd favorite at 9-5, was jostled, knocked into the rail and taken up entering the first turn and lost ground that he could not make up. He finished ninth of 10. Eskendereya won by 8 1/2 lengths, Jackson Bend, second, Aikenite third, Pleasant Prince fourth.
Jose Lezcano, aboard Buddy’s Saint: “The other horses came in like nothing. I was already in a spot, and they came in and killed my horse; put him into the rail. He came back a little bit to run, but I was out of the race by then because of what happened.”
Jan. 7 NOTE:Trainer Levine to DRF.com: "He's not a really fast breezer unless you put him in company. Then he'll get aggressive and go faster. At the moment, time doesn't matter that much when it comes to his works. He doesn't have to go very fast right now because we still have a ways to go before his race. When we start picking up the pace in the morning, then I'll space his works a little further apart."
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Buddy's Saint was disqualified to second after finishing in front in his debut on Sept. 29 under Jose Lezcano.
Nov. 7, Grade II Nashua Stakes, Aqueduct, One Mile. Track PR called it a "sensational" victory in his second start. Buddy’s Saint drew away to break his maiden in this stakes race by 12 lengths. Trainer Levine later said he believes Buddy's Saint wants more distance. Buddy's Saint shipped over from Belmont Park to win the Nashua. Jose Lezcano rode.
Nov. 28, Grade II Remsen Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/8 Mile. A 2-year-old advanced at the right time, with Buddy's Saint posting the win and moving forward off the Nashua. He again opened up in the stretch to hit the wire 4 3/4 lengths in front.
In only the third start of his career, Buddy's Saint galloped along a well-placed third for most of the race before moving out in the backstretch to take over the lead leaving the five-sixteenths pole and draw off for the win. His time was 1:52.95 over a fast track.
Buddy's Saint was the 4-5 favorite in the field of six. Trainer Levine said the colt would spend the winter at Gulfstream Park and return to New York in the spring.
Peppi Knows, Citrus Kid, Fudge Truffle, Homeboykris and Grand Rapport completed the order of finish.
Trainer Levine: "I thought he was quite impressive. I'd thought he'd be closer to the lead, but he doesn't need it. He's very versatile, and he's still learning. I don't think you've seen the best of him yet. The two-turn race should set him up for the spring. Believe me, I wouldn't trade places with anyone in America."
Jockey Jose Lezcano. When I asked him at the three-eighths pole, I thought [Homeboykris] had a little more momentum, but my horse passed right by like it was nothing. He gave me a really good run."
Dec. 31 NOTE: Buddy's Saint is stabled in South Florida.
CARACORTADO (CA) Trainer: Mike Machowsky
Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Don Blahut & Mike Machowsky (Lo Hi Racing)
Breeder: Mike Machowsky
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Cat Dreams (Storm Cat, J J's Dream)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Mons Venus (Maria's Mon, Bid to the Mint)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 3-3-7-1-0 (14) 2.11
Foal Date: May 7, 2007
A gelding.
"When the horse came to the track from the farm he had a big cut down the middle of his head, with blue stitches and all,” trainer, breeders and co-owner Machowsky said. “I tried to name him Scarface, but The Jockey Club said no, so I put it in Spanish, which is Caracortado.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On Feb. 26, CARACORTADO worked five in 1:01.20 (38/81) at SA.
On March 5, CARACORTADO worked five in :58.60 (3/60) at SA.
March 8 NOTE: Trainer Machowsky said on March 7 that Caracortado “is like a wild man” as he awaits the Grade II San Felipe at Santa Anita on March 13.
March 6 NOTE: “Actually, he went six furlongs in 1:12 (on March 5),” trainer Machowsky said of the March 5 move. “He worked great. I’m tickled.”
Feb. 19 NOTE: Caracortado was reported Feb. 18 to be back on the track “and doing great” following his fifth straight victory the preceding Saturday in the Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes, trainer Mike Machowsky said.
Feb. 14 NOTE: Caracortado's connections have him pointing to the Grade II San Felipe on March 13.
Feb. 13, Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. Caracortado defeated Dave in Dixie by 1 3/4 length. The winner was 9-2 at the windows.
The off-the-pace win was aided by a pace duel led by Tiz Chrome and American Lion. Tiz Chrome went through the opening quarter-mile in :23.27 and the first half in :47.11, with American Lion on his right flank. In the meantime, Caracortado was sitting in a pocket in third, alone, while Tango Tango and Dave in Dixie and tracked in the rear, less than six lengths separating the field.
Tiz Chrome and American Lion gave up the lead to Caracortado near the top of the stretch, and the winner scampered off to an easy win, timed in 1:41.75.
Davie in Dixie made a strong late run to capture second, edging out American Lion by a half-length. Tiz Chrome settled for fourth, beaten 4 1/2 lengths. Tango Tango completed the order of finish.
Paul Atkinson: “This horse is very mature, he acts like an older horse. You can do anything with him. You can put him on the lead or he’ll relax off the pace like he did today. Going down the backside, I was sitting behind the frontrunners, and I really wanted to wait a little longer with him today, but those two horses that were on the lead are good horses, and I didn’t want to let them get away from me. Leaving the quarter pole, I asked my horse to go, and he went. He finished up like a really nice horse.”
Mike Machowsky: “He had an advantage in recency and already going two turns successfully. Some of the others were coming off a longer layoff than he was. We’ll look at the San Felipe next (on March 13) and see if Lookin At Lucky comes at us. I think my horse will love the dirt, but I’m not anxious to ship him right now.”
"Every time I ask him, he does what I want. I read what everybody writes about him, that he’s kind of off-bred, not a blueblood, but he’s honest. You can’t knock that.... If he’s under the radar now, he shouldn’t be.
“Paul rode him flawless. He’s given this horse flawless rides every time. It shows that jocks need stock under them, and trainers need stock. It doesn’t matter if Bob Baffert, Charlie Whittingham or Rich Mandella has Caracortado, or Mike Machowsky. It’s 80 percent the horse, maybe 10 percent the trainer and 10 percent the jock. We all need the horses. I’ve never hesitated to have Paul on this horse.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Caracortado won his first three races, all sprints.
Dec. 26, California Breeders’ Champion Stakes, Santa Anita, 1 1/6 Mile. Unbeaten Caracortado extended his winning streak to four-for-four.
Under his regular rider Paul Atkinson, Caracortado was being geared down while crossing the wire 1 3/4 length ahead of Alphie’s Bet, covering the distance in 1:43.61. He came up the rail in the stretch to win after saving ground earlier.
At the jump, Atkinson hustled Caracortado to the early lead, eased back into a tracking fourth position, then burst through an opening near the rail in the stretch to prove dominant as the 2-1 second choice in a field of 10. Favored La Nez, a filly, settled for third when flattening out after boldly rallying extremely wide around the far turn.
“To be honest, before I ever ran him, I didn’t think he’d be a two-turn horse. I ran him a half-mile at Fairplex (Sept. 24), and I knew he was fast. When I worked him three-quarters, I actually knew he had a shot at going two turns. He’s got a great turn of foot and relaxes real well. Paul was coming back off an injury, and he was breezing horses for me. I told him I had one at Pomona I can ride you on, and he’ll win. That’s how he got the mount.”
“He really exploded nice," said Atkinson.
CONVEYANCE (KY)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable LLC
Breeder: Gulf Coast Farms LLC
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Indian Charlie (In Excess (IRE), Soviet Sojourn)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Emptythetill (Holy Bull, In the Till)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 4-1-3-0-0 (8) 4.33
Foal Date: Feb. 28, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $240,000
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On March 4, CONVEYANCE worked five in 1:00.40 (15/45) at SA.
March 9 NOTE: "I think he's a serious Derby contender. I want to keep him on dirt," Baffert said of Conveyance.
March 6 NOTE: HRTV says Conveyance will start next in the Grade III Sunland Derby on March 28.
March 5 NOTE: “He’s doing really well,” said trainer Baffert.
March 3 NOTE: Conveyance will probably start next in either the Grade I Wood Memorial on April 3 or the Grade I Arkansas Derby on April 10, according to a report at Bloodhorse.com. He won't be taken to Dubai for the Group 2 UAE Derby.
Feb. 24 NOTE: Things are very much up in the air. DRF.com reported Conveyance will not return to Oaklawn for the Rebel. He could be shipped to Dubai for the Group 2 UAE Derby on March 27 or wait for Grade I Wood Memorial on April 3 or Grade I Arkanas Derby on April 10.
Feb. 22 NOTE: Assistant trainer James Barnes said that Conveyance may return for the Rebel, although trainer Bob Baffert told Santa Anita track notes on Feb. 21 that he has nothing in mind yet for the undefeated colt.
"A mile and a sixteenth, I don't think they'd catch us," Martin Garcia told DRF.com.
Feb. 20, Grade III Southwest Stakes, Oaklawn Park, One Mile. Conveyance was hustled over from post 9 by Martin Garcia to take an early lead and eventually hold off Dublin to win.
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 came from mid-pack to grab third, beaten 2 1/4 lengths.
Dublin, 5-1 in the morning, was 7-2 in the afternoon and acquitted himself well after conceding Conveyance 12 1/2 lengths in the early going after bobbling at the start. Widest of all around the turn and into the turn, Dublin was four lengths back of the winner with a furlong left.
Feb. 14 NOTE: Trainer Baffert said he would not be at Oaklawn Park to see with Conveyance for the Southwest Stakes. “I’ll be there in spirit,” the trainer said.
Feb. 1 NOTE: Next start will probably be either the Grade III Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 15 or the Grade II Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 20
Jan. 17 NOTE: Trainer Baffert said Conveyance came out of his victory in the San Rafael in good order and could ship out of town for his next start. “Either that or the Sham Stakes (Feb. 27),” Baffert said. “I think he’ll be better on dirt.”
Jan. 16, Grade III San Rafael Stakes, Santa Anita, One Mile. Conveyance got the early lead as was hoped, but it was an easy lead. He clicked off fractions of :24.45 and :48.56, pressed early by Via Verde, who eventually faded to last. Cardiff Giant was just behind them. As they rounded the far turn, Conveyance came off the rail a bit, and Cardiff Giant went to his inside, taking a short lead.
However, Conveyance grabbed the lead back and prevailed over Cardiff Giant by 1 3/4 length. After six furlongs in 1:12.69, he was timed in 1:36.45.
Conveyance's time compared favorably to that of Papa Clem, who finished the 1 1/16-mile, Grade II San Fernando later in the day in 1:42.64.
Domonation finished third, beaten 2 1/2 lengths.
Garrett Gomez, winning rider: “I knew Victor (Espinoza, aboard Cardiff Giant) was going to try and pressure me at some point. I went to the fence going into the first turn, and he left me alone. Speed really hasn’t been doing too well on this track, so I was hoping I didn’t get too much pressure early.
"I came off the fence going down the backside, and I decided to leave it open going to the far turn because I didn’t want my horse to be down on top of the fence with another horse pressing me. He got a little tired the last sixteenth and he switched back to his left lead. This race was a good learning curve for him.”
Trainer Baffert: “They went slow today, and this horse wants to roll up front. The track was a concern for Garrett and me. Later in the day, it’s much faster. He did get a little tired today, but I didn’t get a chance to work him a mile. I thought he was good enough to win this without working him too far, and he was. It was a nice effort and he wasn’t blowing that hard when he came back.”
Jan. 14 NOTE: “He has a lot of speed,” said trainer Baffert on Jan. 13, “and looks like one of those horses who go to the lead and dare you to catch them.”
Jan. 10 NOTE: Trainer Baffer said Conveyance reminds him of the 1994 Horse of the Year. “He takes after the dam’s sire,” Baffert said. “He looks more like a Holy Bull.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
On Oct. 31 and Nov. 25, Conveyance won his first two starts, the second one an alllowance where he cleared by seven lengths while being ridden out by Garrett Gomez. Both races were at six furlongs, and his times were 1:09 flat in the first race, 1:09.70 in the second one.
Dec. 29 NOTE: Conveyance worked on Dec. 6, then Dec. 23, and then a strong six furlongs on Dec. 29, all at Santa Anita.
DISCREETLY MINE Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: E. Paul Robsham Stables LLC
Breeder: E. Paul Robsham
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Mineshaft (A.P. Indy, Prospector's Delite)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Pretty Discreet (Private Account, Pretty Persuasive)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 8-8-15-0-1 (32) 2.76
Foal Date: March 30, 2007
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On March 7, DISCREETLY MINE breezed four in :49.30 (16/56) at PMM.
March 9 NOTE: Discreetly Mine will go back to Fair Grounds for the Grade II Louisiana Derby on March 27.
Feb. 22 NOTE: Discreetly Mine came out of his victory in good order. Discreetly Mine left Fair Grounds returning to his South Florida home base. He will probably point to the Grade II Louisana Derby next.
Feb. 20, Grade II Risen Star Stakes, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile. Discreetly Mine led from gate to wire, perceived as an unusual feat going two turns at Fair Grounds.
Dictating a moderate pace, Discreetly Mine and Javier Castellano were timed in 1:44.48 after setting fractions of :24.60, :48.75, 1:13.44 and 1:38.17.
Tempted to Tapit, who like Discreetly Mine shipped from South Florida for the Risen Star, finished second by 1 1/2 length after stalking the winner in that position. Northern Giant, a 53-1 longshot, was a neck back in third after the trio ran the circuit in merry-go-round fashion. Northern Giant was followed another neck back at the wire by 2-1 post-time favorite Drosselmeyer, another Florida shipper, who was in fourth position about halfway into the race.
Discreetly Mine, who had been working well at Palm Meadows, was successful in his first race around two turns.
Javier Castellano, aboard Discreetly Mine: “I’m so blessed. I expected him to be in the lead. He broke well out of the gate, and he looked happy galloping along. I appreciate the opportunity for the chance to ride him back.
“I’m very satisfied with the way the race developed; this course tends to favor those that come from behind. We got a position, relaxed, made a move on the backstretch and just continued to the wire. He’s a speed horse, and the fractions he did today were very lovely. I’ve been getting on the horse in the morning, so I know him well enough..... I’m the pilot and wherever they want to send me I’ll be available.”
Todd Pletcher assistant Ginny DePasquale: “This horse gives 110 percent every time he runs. We’re very pleased with the outcome of this race.”
Jan. 16 NOTE: Next race for Discreetly Mine? "We're thinking of one of three races for him next," said trainer Pletcher--the Sam Davis at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 13, the Hutcheson at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 20, and the Risen Star at Fair Grounds on Feb. 20.
Jan. 9, Spectacular Bid Stakes, Gulfstream Park, Six Furlongs. The favorite, Discreetly Mine, was sent off at 9-5 but came home fourth on the sloppy track. He bobbled at the start. On the turn, he and Wildcat Frankie bumped. An objection by Johnny V., aboard Wildcat Cat, was overruled.
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. 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.
John Velazquez: “I got bumped against the rail and didn’t have to check; I was already there. And that was it. He got intimidated from there. They got away from him, and he just couldn’t catch up again. He wasn’t quick out of the gate, but there’s nothing you can from there. He put himself in good position until just around the three-eighths pole where he got bumped and thrown against the rail. He didn’t like that at all and that was it.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Discreetly Mine broke his maiden in his third start, a 6 1/2-furlong affair at Saratoga that he cleared by 6 1/4 lengths, clocked in 1:16.80. Finishing second that day was Super Saver.
Sept. 19, Grade II Futurity, Belmont Park, Seven Furlongs. D’ Funnybone (2-5 favorite) didn’t kid around, taking over at the top of the stretch and pulling clear to an authoritative 4 3/4-length victory over Discreetly Mine. Discreetly Mine (3-1second choice), was eight lengths ahead of Thiskyhasnolimit, who in turn was followed by Soundman, Insightful, Hear Ye Hear Ye, Grand Rapport, and Successful Score.
While D' Funnybone sat just off fractions of :22.63 and :45.51 set by 33-1 longshot Hear Ye Hear Ye, then rallied three wide on the turn and cruised to the wire under a hand-ride, Discreetly Mine had a little trouble. The chart call: "Discreetly Mine checked after hitting the side of the gate at the start, rushed up inside, steadied in traffic between horses at the half mile pole, lodged a move in traffic on the turn, split rivals entering the stretch, angled out in upper stretch and finished willingly to clearly best the others."
Under Edgar Prado, the winner was timed in 1:22.40.
Stanley Hough, trainer: “I loved the way he ran. He didn’t have the best of trips, but I’m tickled to death with his performance. I’m leaning towards running him in the Champagne. (D’ Funnybone) is a nice horse.”
Cornelio Velasquez, rider: “He broke well, but my position inside.... I had to take him back (at the half-mile pole). He’s a nice horse.”
Oct. 10, Grade I Champagne Stakes, Belmont Park, One Mile. Discreetly Mine finished second.
Bought out of Maryland, and after three months in trainer Dutrow’s hands, Homeboykris emerged in his first start for his new handlers and won the race by 1 1/2 length.
The winner ran the one-turn mile in 1:35.12 under Edgar Prado. As the 5-1 third choice in a field of six, Homeboykris paid $13.20 to win. In winning the Champagne, Homeboykris knocked off Dublin and Aspire, winner and runner-up of the Grade I Hopeful.
When the gate opened, Discreetly Mine broke on top, but recent maiden winner Super Saver quickly moved up on the rail to make the lead and race through a quarter-mile in :22.79 and a half in :45.78.
Discreetly Mine pressured the leader from the outside, while Prado and Homeboykris bided their time in third, outside and just behind the leaders. Dublin, meantime, the heavy favorite, lagged behind in fifth.
On the turn, Discreetly Mine turned up the pressure and eventually took over in the stretch. Prado, however, turned Homeboykris loose with a furlong to go and edged clear to win. Aspire rallied for third and was followed by Super Saver, Dublin and Overlap. Dublin, favored at 3-5 odds, was beaten 3 3/4 lengths.
Dec. 27 NOTE: Discreetly Mine breezed six furlongs at Palm Meadows after putting in other workouts during the month.
DUBLIN (KY) Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Owner: William Mack & Robert Baker
Breeder: Peter E. Blum & Gerry Dilger
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Afleet Alex (Northern Afleet, Maggie Hawk)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Classy Mirage (Storm Bird (CAN), First Mirage)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 3-1-6-0-0 (10) 2.33
Foal Date: April 4, 2007
Keeneland September 2008: $525,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On Feb. 28, DUBLIN breezed four in :48.40 (1/93) at OP.
On March 7, DUBLIN breezed five in :59.60 (1/56) at OP.
March 6 NOTE: Corey Nakatani will replace Terry Thompson on Dublin. "Bill Mack and Robert Baker are very, very knowledgeable, very, very involved, and as owners they just felt that we maybe should have more experience in the big arena," trainer Lukas told DRF.com. "No reflection on Terry at all, because Terry did a beautiful job working with this horse this spring. But they just thought we might need somebody that has been in more than one Breeders' Cup or Derby, and had a little more experience going for them. Nakatani's riding very well right now. He's available. He wanted to ride the horse. And he's here at Oaklawn, so he was a logical choice."
Feb. 23 NOTE: Dublin will race next in the Grade II Rebel, trainer Lukas told DRF.com. "He's such a big, powerful horse, the ground has a tendency to give away from him at the gate a little bit, and that stumble the second stride compromised him, got him much further back than we wanted to be or hoped to be," Lukas said.
Feb. 22 NOTE: Dublin was fine after the race, according to his trainer. “He’s great today, he pulled up great,” said trainer Lukas. “That stumble on the second stride cost him the race,” said Lukas. “But he’s a good one.”
Feb. 20, Grade III Southwest Stakes, Oaklawn Park, One Mile. 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 came from mid-pack to grab third, beaten 2 1/4 lengths.
Dublin, 5-1 in the morning, was 7-2 in the afternoon and acquitted himself well after conceding Conveyance 12 1/2 lengths in the early going after bobbling at the start. Widest of all around the turn and into the turn, Dublin was four lengths back of the winner with a furlong left. Feb. 3 NOTE: According to a story in DRF.com about Dublin's Feb. 2 workout at Oaklawn, Dublin covered four furlongs in :49, drew even with two workmates in the stretch through five furlongs in 1:01, then overtook them in the final sixteenth. Terry Thompson urged him on. Clockers had Dublin galloping out seven furlongs in 1:27.80.
"He broke off about three, four lengths behind them and ended up three or four lengths in front of them," trainer Lukas said. "We wanted to let him catch a little dirt in his face, so we let him sit in behind them and he did catch quite a bit. It was kind of we wanted to tighten down on him a little bit and see where we were at, and see how he responded, and he passed all the tests beautifully."
Back at the barn, Dublin was dragging his hotwalker around the shed row while cooling out, according to the story.
Jan. 16 NOTE: Dublin is being pointed to the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 15. Trainer Lukas said that Dublin was diagnosed with an entrapped epiglottis after finishing seventh in the Iroquois Stakes last November at Churchill Downs. "We did minor throat surgery, and I'm pleased with how it turned out," Lukas said. "The further the better for him. He's a big, imposing individual with a long stride."
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Dublin was a good-looking maiden winner at Saratoga on Aug. 1 and was pointed toward the Grade I Hopeful.
“This was my No. 1 pick in the sales,” trainer Lukas said after the Hopeful Stakes. “I still haven’t lost my eye in that part.”
Sept. 7, Grade I Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes, Saratoga, Seven Furlongs. The 3-1 favorite off an 8-1 morning line, Dublin won by two lengths. Mid-pack early after stumbling from post 12, Dublin took over at about the furlong marker and extended his lead. He hit the wire in 1:23.52.
Second was Aspire (8-1), who came from tenth in the early going, and third was Aikenite (20-1), who came from eleventh in the backstretch. Backtalk (9-2) finished fourth.
D. Wayne Lukas, winning trainer: “The first thing we’re going to do is pack him in Styrofoam and I’ll put my layaway down next to him.
“I expected him to run well. He had a good month up here since his maiden win … Jamie said he was green in the stretch, but that’s the first time he’s really knuckled down on him. We’ve never really asked him to lay it down in the morning. He stumbled badly leaving the gate. He almost went to his knees.
“He has a long, rangy stride. He’s got a lot of balance to him. He’s pretty gifted. I feel like he’s going to develop. I like to play in the main arena – these 2-year-olds, when they turn 3, that’s the name of the game. Bill Mack and Bob Baker are the reason this horse is here.”
Jamie Theriot, winning jockey: “I went into the race with confidence because he had broken his maiden with fashion.
"He stumbled badly at the break, but he recovered very quickly. He was a little green coming down the lane – if I hit him right-handed he’d duck left a little, if I hit him left-handed, he’d duck right – but he’ll grow out of that. I think distance won’t be a problem for him. We will see a different horse when he goes two turns. My idea was to come to Saratoga and find myself a Derby horse. We think he’s a good one.”
Oct. 1 NOTE: It was reported that Jamie Theriot has been taken off Dublin. He was replaced by Ramon Dominguez.
Oct. 10, Grade I Champagne Stakes, Belmont Park, One Mile. Dublin finished fifth of six at 3-5 odds, beaten 3 3/4 lengths.
Bought out of Maryland, and after three months in trainer Dutrow’s hands, Homeboykris emerged in his first start for his new handlers and won the race by 1 1/2 length. Discreetly Mine was second.
The winner ran the one-turn mile in 1:35.12 under Edgar Prado. As the 5-1 third choice in a field of six, Homeboykris paid $13.20 to win. In winning the Champagne, Homeboykris knocked off Dublin and Aspire, winner and runner-up of the Grade I Hopeful.
When the gate opened, Discreetly Mine broke on top, but recent maiden winner Super Saver quickly moved up on the rail to make the lead and race through a quarter-mile in :22.79 and a half in :45.78. Discreetly Mine pressured the leader from the outside, while Prado and Homeboykris bided their time in third, outside and just behind the leaders. Dublin, meantime, the heavy favorite, lagged behind in fifth.
On the turn, Discreetly Mine turned up the pressure and eventually took over in the stretch. Prado, however, turned Homeboykris loose with a furlong to go and edged clear to win. Aspire rallied for third and was followed by Super Saver, Dublin and Overlap.
D. Wayne Lukas, trainer of Dublin: “I don’t think he handled that very well, he didn’t seem like he was handling it that well. Other than that, he didn’t get into it as much as he normally does, nor did he seem like he was as comfortable on the track as I thought, but they all ran over the same track. So, we’ll look into it.”
Ramon Dominguez, rider aboard Dublin: “I thought he was pretty reserved early, but around the far turn he just had nothing. He didn’t give me anything down the lane.”
Nov. 1, Grade III Iroquois Stakes, Churchill Downs, One Mile. Dublin finished seventh of 10 after failing to contend at any point.
D. Wayne Lukas, trainer of Dublin: “He never got into the race like he normally does. He usually just pulls himself into the race, but he didn’t today. I just don’t know. He’s been training wonderful. We’ll just step back and analyze him and see.”
Dec. 24 NOTE: Dublin worked three furlongs on a sloppy track at Oaklawn Park.
Dec. 31 NOTE: Dublin worked a liesurely four furlongs at Oaklawn Park.
Eskendereya is the Arabic name for Alexandria, the second-largest city in Egypt.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On March 7, ESKENDEREYA breezed four in :49.30 (16/56) at PMM.
March 8 NOTE: "I thought (Eskendreya) worked very well,” said trainer Pletcher. “We were looking for him to go a half in :49 and that’s exactly what he did. He galloped out well and I’m very pleased. Our most likely scenario for him is to run in the Florida Derby. He still has one work to go, but I don’t see any reason to change anything at this point. That would be the logical thing to do.”
March 5 NOTE: "We'll run Eskendereya and/or Rule in the Florida Derby," trainer Pletcher told DRF.com on March 3. "Both horses will work Sunday at Palm Meadows, after which we'll make a decision.
Feb. 23 NOTE: Eskendereya ran a 106 Beyer in the Fountain of Youth.
Feb. 22 NOTE: "We've never gotten to the bottom of him," trainer Pletcher said. "He finishes very strong in all his works." Pletcher said the Grade I Florida Derby would be next. Feb. 20, Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Not only did Eskendereya run a sub-1:49 nine furlongs, he and John Velazquez destroyed the field by 8 1/2 lengths.
Always in contention, Eskendereya tracked early fractions set by Lost Aptitude of :23.72 and :47.92. Eskenderereya had taken command by the time the field was early into the second turn, with six furlongs run in 1:12.41. From there, he got the mile in 1:36.54 and finished in 1:48.87.
Jackson Bend was second. He and Jeremy Rose had moved into fourth after a half-mile and were second about the time Eskendereya grabbed the lead. From that point, Eskendereya opened up and widened his lead.
Aikenite broke well from post one, rated, and made a move entering the far turn after recovering from a bump. He finished three-quarters of a length behind Jackson Bend, followed closely a length by Pleasant Prince, who was sent off at 50-1 odds.
Todd Pletcher: “You’ve got to be excited when they perform like that in these kind of races at this time of year. I was particularly pleased with the way he finished. I don’t think we’ve ever gotten to the bottom of him.
"We threw a lot at him in the Breeders’ Cup in just his third start and first on synthetic. In the first turn, I knew he had no chance. He was jostled badly and sandwiched between horses. At one point, I don’t think any of his feet were touching the ground. He’s had two wins over the track here now, so the Florida Derby would seem logical for him, but we will consider all the options.”
John Velazquez: “I didn’t want to take too good a hold of him out of the gate, and I got to a point early on the backstretch where I started to move forward with him. I was hoping that I didn’t take too much out of him. Obviously I didn’t, because he went on, and did it very well. It was great feeling when he kicked in and accelerated away from them. He galloped out really well, and I hope he can learn to relax just a bit more in the first part of the race. If he does, I don’t think he’ll have any trouble going further.”
Jan. 7, Allowance, Gulfstream Park, One Mile. 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.
Middle of the Nite and Edgar Prado finished third, beaten two lengths for all of it. The next horse was another 5 1/2 lengths back.
Trainer Pletcher: “It was a good comeback. He really wants to go longer than a one-turn mile, but the timing of this race fit his schedule. We’ll look to stretch him out from here. The Fountain of Youth is one possible option. It will definitely be a longer race.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Second in his debut.
Oct. 4, Pilgrim Stakes, Belmont Park, One Mile (T). In the $154,500 Pilgrim, which was taken off the turf, Eskendereya broke his maiden impressively in his first start in stakes company for Todd Pletcher.
Trailing early, the Giant’s Causeway colt waited patiently and split horses to launch a bid at the quarter pole, drawing off authoritatively in the stretch to win by 7 1/4 lengths with a final time of 1:37.85 for the mile.
Eskendereya, who now had one win and a second from two starts, paid $7.20. Favored Western Flyer was second, Chairman Now was third, and Bricklayer and Dean’s Kitten completed the order of finish.
Winning trainer Pletcher: “It was a very good effort. The horse had trained very well, and we knew he was an improving horse. He got excluded from a maiden race, so we decided to take a shot in the stake, and then when it came off we had a decision to make, but we felt like the horse had improved in his training recently on the dirt and felt like it was worth taking a shot.
"I was particularly pleased with the way he finished up and the way he galloped out, I’d say that he’s typical of the Giant’s Causeways and probably good on any surface. We’ll talk to the owners about his next start; we have a lot of options.”
Javier Castellano, aboard Eskendereya: “With the small field, Todd told me in the paddock to take my time. I had a perfect trip today. On the turn, when I saw the horses splitting, I asked my horse and he responded.”
Nov. 7, Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. Eskendereya got beat up in the first turn of what looked like a Kentucky Derby field with all the bumping and shoving. As a result, he was taken up sharply by Javier Castellano. After that, he was pretty much done and finished ninth.
NOTE: Trainer Pletcher wanted Eskendereya to compete in December's CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park, but the stable said he spiked a fever before the race, and he was sent to Florida.
Dec. 27 NOTE: Eskendereya breezed five furlongs at Palm Meadows.
JACKSON BEND (FL) Trainer: Nick Zito
Owner: Robert LaPenta & Jacks or Better Farm
Breeder: Jacks or Better Farm Inc.
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Hear No Evil (Carson City, Nizy)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Sexy Stockings (Tabasco Cat, Lottsa Talc)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 9-4-5-0-0 (18) 6.20
Foal Date: Feb. 11, 2007
Private sale of interest to LaPenta.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On March 9, JACKSON BEND breezed six in 1:15.00 (1/1) at PMM.
March 8 NOTE: Calvin Borel will ride Jackson Bend in the Wood Memorial, replacing Jeremy Rose, according to a report at Bloodhorse.com. "It speaks for itself,” trainer Zito said. “He’s Calvin Borel, and he’s a tremendous rider. He has great hands and we just decided to make a change. Jeremy didn’t do anything wrong.”
Feb. 23 NOTE: Jackson Bend is done with Florida for now and will contest the Grade I Wood Memorial on April 3, trainer Zito told DRF.com. "That would be suicide. Right or wrong? He's too small and ran too hard to come back off two races like that in four weeks. He needs another two weeks, so that makes the Wood the logical spot."
Feb. 20, Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Jackson Bend finished second, but not only did Eskendereya run a sub-1:49 nine furlongs, he and John Velazquez destroyed the field by 8 1/2 lengths.
Always in contention, Eskendereya tracked early fractions set by Lost Aptitude of :23.72 and :47.92. Eskenderereya had taken command by the time the field was early into the second turn, with six furlongs run in 1:12.41. From there, he got the mile in 1:36.54 and finished in 1:48.87.
Jackson Bend and Jeremy Rose had moved into fourth after a half-mile and were second about the time Eskendereya grabbed the lead. From that point, Eskendereya opened up and widened his lead.
Jeremy Rose, aboard Jackson Bend: “My horse ran his heart out. The two-horse (Buddy’s Saint) never got in our way, he sort of just bounced off the rail but we stayed clear of that.”
Jan. 26 NOTE: "I thought he ran a great race - he was very gallant," trainer Zito told DRF.com. "The winner was very good, but I wish the race would have shaped up a little differently. It looked like they all thought they had to beat our little mighty mite, and he got pushed out down the backstretch and again at the top of the stretch. Things might have been different had he not lost all that ground."
Jan. 23, Grade III Holy Bull Stakes, Gulfstream Park, One Mile. Winslow Homer (7-2 second choice) laid off the early pace, got in the mix on the turn and found a seam in the stretch to get by the inside of Jackson Bend and win. He was timed in 1:35.97.
Jackson Bend, the 8-5 favorite, was always prominent in the race on the outside after breaking from post 9. He stayed on for second, beaten three-quarters of a length, while William's Kitten (12-1) came on late and wide for third, another 3 1/4 lengths back. It was tight for fourth, with Thank U Philippe (15-1) edging out Homeboykris (5-1) and beaten six lengths for all of it.
After a very abbreviated runup to the timer after the break, Piscitelli, Aikenite, Homeboykris and Jackson Bend slugged it out for the lead and went the first quarter-mile in :23.86. Thank U Philippe, never far back, joined that fray with the half timed in :45.76. Meanwhile, Piscitelli dropped out of contention.
Rounding the turn, Thank U Philippe, then Homeboykris, grabbed a short lead as Aikenite backed out of it with six furlongs run in 1:09.66. But Winslow Homer was about to begin making his move in earnest. By the time the field reached the furlong marker, Winslow Homer had knifed through the pack and led by a head.
Jeremy Rose, aboard Jackson Bend: “My horse ran his race. I had him positioned right where I wanted him, but when the winner split horses and made his move, he had a little more left. But my horse is a good horse. He ran well.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Under former trainer Stanley Gold, Jackson Bend won five of six starts and $477,820. All of those races were over Calder’s main track. In his wake in the July 11 Frank Gomez Memorial Stakes at six furlongs was D' Funnybone, who went on to win the Grade II Saratoga Special and the Grade II Futurity Stakes at Belmont Park.
Prior to the 1 1/16-mile In Reality, Jackson Bend won Calder’s six-furlong Dr. Fager Stakes Aug. 8 and its Aug. 29 Affirmed Stakes at seven furlongs.
On Oct. 17, Jackson Bend overcame a bad stumble at the start to win the $400,000 In Reality Division of the Florida Stallion Series, becoming just the seventh horse to sweep the open division. Despite the early bobble, the Hear No Evil colt drew off in the final sixteenth to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Jeffrey Sanchez hung on at the start and got Jackson Bend through 1 1/16 mile in 1:46.86. Thank U Philippe was second and Bim Bam was third.
"As for the Breeders' Cup," said winning trainer Stanley Gold, "I personally am not a fan of the synthetic tracks. I've never even been to California. The final decision will be up to (Fred Brei). There will be plenty of races for him down the road at Gulfstream this winter."
Jacks or Better Farm’s co-owner Fred Brei said Oct. 26 he had sold a majority interest in Jackson Bend to Robert LaPenta for an undisclosed sum. Brei said LaPenta would transfer Jackson Bend to Nick Zito’s barn at Churchill Downs, and that was done.
Dec. 31 NOTE: Jackson Bend breezed five furlongs at Palm Meadows. He also worked there on Dec. 20.
LOOKIN AT LUCKY (KY) Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Mike Pegram, Karl Watson & Paul Weitman
Breeder: Gulf Coast Farms LLC
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Smart Strike (CAN) (Mr. Prospector, Classy n' Smart (CAN))
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Private Feeling (Belong to Me, Regal Feeling)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 10-4-12-0-0 (26) 3.33
Foal Date: May 27, 2007
Keeneland April 2009: $450,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On Jan. 9, LOOKIN AT LUCKY worked four in :47.40 (7/47) at SA.
On Jan. 16, LOOKIN AT LUCKY worked five in :59.00 (2/54) at SA.
On Feb. 9, LOOKIN AT LUCKY worked three in :36.60 (7/35) at SA. On Feb. 14, LOOKIN AT LUCKY worked four in :48.20 (21/72) at SA. On Feb. 22, LOOKIN AT LUCKY worked six in 1:15.40 (7/8) at SA. On March 1, LOOKIN AT LUCKY worked seven in 1:25.20 (1/3) at SA. On March 8, LOOKIN AT LUCKY worked five in 1:01.20 (43/82) at SA.
March 9 NOTE: "He just cruised around there really easy," trainer Baffert told DRF.com about the March 8 workout. "He actually went three-quarters and out seven-eighths. I had him in 1:15 and change." Lookin At Lucky has not started outside California or on dirt. He adds blinkers for the Rebel. "We'll find out what he likes and doesn't like," Baffert said. Garrett Gomez will ride Lookin at Lucky in the Rebel.
March 8 NOTE: Great weather is in store for the rest of the week at Santa Anita, and the long-range forecast for Oaklawn Park isn't bad, either. Bob Baffert said yesterday that snow would keep Lookin at Lucky away from the Grade II Rebel Stakes on Saturday, but there isn't any chance for the white stuff in Arkansas this weekend. March 6 NOTE: Trainer Baffert is probably tired of being asked. “Today, I’m going to the Rebel,” the trainer said yesterday when asked about Lookin at Lucky.
March 5 NOTE: "One will stay here, one is going to Arkansas. I don't have to made that call until the plane leaves next week," trainer Baffert said about Lookin at Lucky and Tiz Chrome to DRF.com. "I don't make a decision until I have to. It's the way I've survived in this sport. Right now I'm leaning toward the Rebel with Lookin At Lucky. He worked well the other day." March 4 NOTE: “That (March 1) work caught him right up,” Baffert said on March 3. “He worked really well. He broke off six or seven behind El Martillo, and I got him a lot faster than what they gave him. I got him in like 1:23 4/5. I’m still considering either the Rebel or the San Felipe.”
Feb. 24 NOTE: Lookin at Lucky's next race is in limbo. Now DRF.com reports the San Felipe or Grade II Rebel at Oaklawn, also on March 13.
Feb. 19 NOTE: Santa Anita track notes again say on Feb. 18 that Lookin at Lucky will start next in the San Felipe on March 13.
Feb. 15 NOTE: Santa Anita track notes say on Feb. 14 that Lookin at Lucky will start next in the Grade II San Felipe on March 13 but do not attribute this to trainer Baffert. Feb. 3 NOTE: Lookin At Lucky returned to the racetrack at Santa Anita on Feb. 2 after being given the weekend off because of a slight illness, trainer Baffert told DRF.com. "He had a little temperature and it scared me," Baffert said. "He was probably okay, but I didn't want to take any chances. He went back to the track and he looked good."
Lookin at Lucky was nominated to the March 27 UAE Derby. Baffert declined to comment on the record about Lookin at Lucky's next race, saying only that he'll race in March.
Feb. 1 NOTE: Meydan release on Jan. 31 says Lookin at Lucky was nominated to the Group 2 UAE Derby on March 27.
Jan. 29 NOTE: Lookin at Lucky has been galloping and jogging through recent rainy weather at Santa Anita. Trainer Baffert said Lookin at Lucky could breeze some time next week. The trainer said he is still considering the Grade II San Felipe Stakes on March 13 for Lookin At Lucky’s 3-year-old debut. “Either that or out of town,” Baffert said.
Jan. 9 NOTE: Wearing blinkers for the first time, Lookin At Lucky worked at Santa Anita under Garrett Gomez.
“Gomez felt the horse might need blinkers,” trainer Baffert said, “because when he makes the lead, he feels like a sitting duck. Today, I worked him behind a horse, and as soon as he got by his workmate--usually, he shuts it down--but today he just kept on going. Garrett likes him better with the blinkers. It just keeps him focused. If he goes in the San Felipe (in March), he would wear them.”
Jan. 7 NOTE: Eclipse Award finalist for 2-Year-Old Male of the Year, it was announced this date.
Jan. 2 NOTE: Lookin at Lucky could make his 3-year-old debut in the Grade II San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 on March 13, but trainer Baffert was non-committal. “He’s just training, and I’m not going to commit to anything right now,” Baffert said.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Lookin At Lucky broke his maiden at first asking at Hollywood Park on July 11, then jumped into stakes company. He's a half-brother to Kensei. He was bought for $475,000 at the 2009 Keeneland 2-year-olds in training sale.
Aug. 9, Grade II Best Pal Stakes, Del Mar, 6 1/2 Furlongs. The 7-5 favorite, Lookin At Lucky and Garrett Gomez scored by three-quarters of a length over Make Music For Me (15-1), with Smiling Tiger (2-1) third, beaten two lengths.
Six ran. Lookin for Lucky sat a couple of lengths off the early lead, took over before the furlong marker, and drew off. Early fractions were :22.28 and :45.22. The time was 1:16.06.
Bob Baffert: “There’s nothing like good 2-year-olds in the barn. The good ones get ready on their own. When you have good ones, they take care of the bad ones.
"I’ve thought he had a lot of talent. You know, Garrett doesn’t say a lot about horses, but he’s always thought this one was good. We’ll be back in the Futurity (on Sept. 7).”
Garrett Gomez: “Bob said he wanted to see this colt prove himself. Let him do his thing as he can. You saw him come back from this. He wasn’t frazzled or anything like that. He looked like he’d gone out and jogged a mile. He’s very laid back. He’ll handle a distance, too. He’s a nice horse, and I think he’s only going to get better.”
Sept. 7, Grade I Del Mar Futurity, Del Mar, Seven Furlongs. Even-money favorite Lookin at Lucky, ridden by Garrett Gomez, broke from the rail, raced behind moderate fractions on the inside, rallied between horses in upper stretch, and took command to win by a length, timed in 1:22.85. Early fractions were :23.00, :46.01 and 1:10.25.
Second was the fast-closing Make Music for Me (6-1), with Smiling Tiger (13-1) third another half-length back. Fourth was Sterling Outlook (4-1).
Baffert won this race from 1996 through 2002 and returned to the winner's circle with Midshipman in 2008. He said Lookin for Lucky would be pointed to the Norfolk Stakes.
Bob Baffert: “It’s like the good old days. This horse was in tight most of the way, and he learned a lot today. He’s quite a horse. I wasn’t worried about drawing the rail. He has the speed to get himself in a good place. He’s right there with Midshipman in that sense.”
Garrett Gomez: “I was down inside, and I didn’t have much choice. I had to ride it the way it came up. I did have a little flashback to yesterday (when he was inside with Colonel John in the Pacific Classic and never got out). I wasn’t liking my position. But if you have a good horse, you can do a lot of things. If you sit down inside there long enough, something is going to happen for you. And I waited and waited, and then I was able to push my way out and get him loose. He’s a good horse, and good horses can make you look good.”
Oct. 4, Grade II Norfolk Stakes, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. Lookin At Lucky won by 1 3/4 lengths, taking his fourth race in as many starts at 4-5 odds. Under Garrett Gomez, Lookin At Lucky ran 1 1-16 mile in 1:43.11.
Pulsion, trained by Patrick Biancone, came from the outside post in the field of 11 to finish second, while Gallant Gent was another half-length back in third. Jung Man Scott and John Scott finished in a dead heat for fourth.
Lookin At Lucky was running longer than seven furlongs for the first time. Gomez had him off the early pace in fourth before making their move.
Lookin At Lucky is co-owned by Mike Pegram, Baffert's longtime friend and client. It was Baffert's fifth Norfolk win in the last 13 years. Last year, Gomez rode Midshipman to a second-place finish for the trainer and then went on to win the $2 million BC Juvenile.
"At the three-eighths, I couldn't tell if he was running," Baffert said. "All of a sudden he pushed the button and took off. I'm becoming a big fan of his watching him run. He's the best 2-year-old I've had in the last five years. He's got something different than the other ones have ever had, and it's exciting."
"We're Lookin at Lucky," Pegram said. "Now we got to stay lucky."
"This was his first time long and he handled it perfectly. He’s never been a horse who was real keen but I wanted to be a little bit more forwardly placed than I was last time," Gomez said. "He made the lead turning for home, and when he did, he threw his ears up and kind of waited on that horse inside of him. When I got after him though, he went on with it and finished up real game. How good is he? Well, he's 4-for-4, and I guess he'll tell us how good he is."
Oct. 25 NOTE: Joe Steiner, who was aboard Lookin At Lucky four days earlier for a six-furlong drill in a bullet 1:11.80, said. “He went real easy. I let him just kind of stretch his legs. That’s all he did. He’s doing things in a good way all the time. He’s really got a terrific attitude.”
Nov. 7, Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. Lookin at Lucky drew unluckily, the 13-hole, and it compromised his chance to win. He still managed to finish a very close second to the virtually unknown Vale of York (30-1), who was timed in 1:43.48. Both horses came from off the pace, with Lookin at Lucky to the outside of Vale of York, but Lookin at Lucky came from much further back than did Vale of York. Lookin at Lucky was wide the whole way.
Bob Baffert: “He showed today what a good horse he is. It’s just frustrating to know you have much the best horse and to come up short like that. I didn’t give him any chance at all at the half-mile pole. At least you know that you can look forward to the Derby.”
Garrett Gomez: "My horse was running, but he wasn't ‘running running’ until that horse came up inside of him. As soon as another horse came up inside of him, me and (the winner) took off together.
"Today my horse got banged around pretty hard a couple of times going into the first turn because there were a couple horses going into the turn on the inside that came out. It turned him a little sideways, but he took all that. For a young horse to keep on doing what he did - and when that horse came to him and he could fight with something, accelerate and show me that much more - makes me really excited about next year."
Dec. 19, Grade I CashCall Futurity, Hollywood Park, 1 1/16 Mile. Bob Baffert got a record fifth victory with Lookin at Lucky, who covered the distance in 1:43.30 under Garrett Gomez to finish clear of Noble’s Promise by just under a length. Lookin at Lucky was favored at 3-10.
This race has generated six Kentucky Derby winners.
Breaking from post 1, Lookin At Lucky was eager to run but settled nicely just back of The Program on the backstretch as his stable mate set moderate early fractions of :24.03 and :48.30. Lookin at Lucky was fourth at the first call, then second. He took the lead in the turn and prevailed over Noble's Promise by three-quarters of a length under energetic handling by Gomez.
In the field of seven, Make Music for Me closed from last to finish third, beaten 1 1/4 length, and the pacesetter, The Program, was a neck back in fourth at the wire. Marcello was another six lengths back in fifth, followed by Brady Blue Eyes and Seattle Ruler.
Garrett Gomez: “I’ve always known he was versatile and could do whatever we want with him. He did everything good today. He was traveling super easy when we turned for home. He just waits on horses and only does as much as he has to. When I turned for home, he quickened for about 100 yards then went into relax mode.
"It always looks like he’s stretched to win, but that’s not the case. He’s going to learn more as he goes along, because he’s got a super mind to him. We’ve got to get him to where he puts his competition away and sprints to the wire. He’s full of talent, and I’m getting even more excited about him.”
Bob Baffert: “It’s nice to have young horses. He ran a little bit different. He put him into the race this time. That’s good for him. He didn’t have to do a lot. He just sat there, cruised around there. You could tell he was in a good spot. He wanted to get a little tough early, but then he backed him off, which was good. That’s probably his best race. He’s getting better and better.
“We’re just gonna freshen him up and I’ll probably run him about two times before (the Derby). I don’t know, I haven’t figured it out. He might ship out, I don’t know. Either go to Oaklawn Park, New York, you never know . . . but I’ve got a lot of nice horses, I’ve got to spread them all out.”
MAKE MUSIC FOR ME (KY) Trainer: Alexis Barba
Owner: Ellen & Peter O. Johnson
Breeder: Richard Shultz
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Bernstein (Storm Cat, La Affirmed)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Miss Cheers (Carson City, Rise and Sing)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 12-5-9-2-0 (28) 3.31
Foal Date: March 4, 2007
Barretts March 2009 2-Year-Olds in Training: $95,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
March 8 NOTE: Make Music for Me has been confirmed for the Grade I Santa Anita Derby on April 3.
March 6, Pasadena Stakes, Santa Anita, One Mile (T). Make Music for Me finally broke his maiden in this race. After stalking the pace in fourth, Make Music for Me went three wide through the second turn and pulled away in the final strides to finish in 1:35.30. Initial fractions were :23.55, :47.59 and 1:11.80.
Make Music for Me added blinkers for this race, and the desired effect was achieved. He had a history of closing from further back in races. In the Pasadena, he was never more than four lengths off the pace. He was sent off at 6-1. Macias was second, Alfarabi third.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Sept. 7, Grade I Del Mar Futurity, Del Mar, Seven Furlongs. Make Music for Me (6-1) closed well to get second, beaten a length by even-money favorite Lookin for Lucky. He had run a very similar race in the Best Pal, when he also finished second to Lookin at Lucky.
In the Futurity, Lookin at Lucky, ridden by Garrett Gomez, broke from the rail, raced behind moderate fractions on the inside, rallied between horses in upper stretch, and took command to win by a length, timed in 1:22.85. Meanwhile, Make Music for Me, handled by Tyler Baze, was eighth of nine after a half-mile, and fourth with a furlong to go.
Early fractions were :23.00, :46.01 and 1:10.25. Smiling Tiger (13-1) finished third another half-length back. Fourth was Sterling Outlook (4-1).
Tyler Baze: “We didn’t have the best of trips. There was some bumping going on. But he came running. He put in a good one. I still think he’s one of the best 2-year-olds I’ve ever been on. Watch out when we go up to Santa Anita. Norfolk and Breeders’ Cup. Watch out.”
Oct. 10, Grade I Dixiana Breeders' Futurity, Keeneland, 1 1/16 Mile. According to the trainer, the reason for shipping to Keeneland instead of running in the Norfolk was the extra money and the fact that the owners live in Wisconsin--not to duck Lookin At Lucky in the Norfolk.
Here at The Downey Profile, we thought Make Music for Me looked a little grouchy in the post parade. He didn't exactly sulk on the track, but he didn't excel, either, finishing fourth, beaten 4 3/4 lengths.
Willie Martinez sent Noble's Promise to the front with a quarter mile remaining in the 1 1/16-mile race, and they held off Aikenite for a half-length victory. Aikenite finished well to take a good second. It was another three lengths back to third-place Roman Invasion, and another 1 1/4 length to Make Music for Me.
The winner crossed the finish line in 1:43.12. Noble's Promise paid $27.80 as the sixth choice in the wagering.
Tyler Baze, rider of fourth-place finisher Make Music for Me: “I had a pretty good trip. He’s green still and still learning to run. He’s going to be a major horse for the three-year-old season. I was sitting behind Balktalk around the turn, and when I wanted to go around him, when the hole finally opened, everybody had already gotten to kick away from me. He ran a good race, and I look forward to the Kentucky Derby next year.”
Nov. 22, Maiden Special Weight, 1 1/16 Mile, Hollywood Park. After skipping Breeders' Cup, Make Music for Me, at 2-5, ran a like a bad dream--he certainly didn't have a dream trip--finishing sixth of eight after being positioned sixth most of the way under Mike Smith. The total losing margin was five lengths. Brady Blue Eyes, at 11-1, led at all calls while being pressured by Viva Macho and prevailed by a neck over Looking for Candy, who had stalked in third.
The winning time was 1:45.18.
The chart call: Make Music for Me "chased just off the rail, waited into the stretch and was off heels in midstretch and lacked the needed late kick."
Dec. 19, Grade I CashCall Futurity, Hollywood Park, 1 1/16 Mile. Make Music for Me remained a maiden when he finished third after closing from last of seven. He was given no respect at the windows, sent off at 28-1, but he was beaten only 1 1/4 length after breaking from post 5.
Second choice Noble’s Promise, the third-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, finished second. He ran well through the stretch after racing wide much of the way. He finished a half-length in front of Make Music for Me in third.
But it was Bob Baffert who got a record fifth victory with Lookin at Lucky, who covered the distance in 1:43.30 under Garrett Gomez to finish clear of Noble’s Promise by just under a length. Lookin at Lucky was favored at 3-10.
This race has generated six Kentucky Derby winners.
Breaking from post 1, Lookin At Lucky was eager to run but settled nicely just back of The Program on the backstretch as his stable mate set moderate early fractions of :24.03 and :48.30. Lookin at Lucky was fourth at the first call, then second. He took the lead in the turn and prevailed over Noble's Promise by three-quarters of a length under energetic handling by Gomez.
Noble's Promise broke from post 6 and was placed third at each call until the final one, but as indicated above, he was three or four wide from the gate to the end of the far turn.
The pacesetter, The Program, was a neck back in fourth at the wire. Marcello was another six lengths back in fifth, followed by Brady Blue Eyes and Seattle Ruler.
Jockey Mike Smith: "I was very, very pleased. I loved the way he galloped out. There's certainly more to him."
NOBLE'S PROMISE (KY) Trainer: Ken McPeek
Owner: Chasing Dreams Racing 2008 LLC
Breeder: C. Kidder, N. Cole, and B. Kidder
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Cuvee (Carson City, Christmas Star)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): The Devil's Trick (Clever Trick, Sunyata)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 11-4-7-2-0 (24) 3.36
Foal Date: April 13, 2007
Keeneland November 2007: $10,000
OBS Yearling Sale 2008: RNA $25,000.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On Feb. 6, NOBLE'S PROMISE breezed three on a good track in :37.0 (2/12) at GP.
On Feb. 13, NOBLE'S PROMISE worked four on a muddy track in :46.40 (1/17) at GP.
On Feb. 20, NOBLE'S PROMISE breezed four in :48.40 (13/52) at GP.
On Feb. 27, NOBLE'S PROMISE worked five in :59.80 (2/29) at GP.
On March 5, NOBLE'S PROMISE worked five in 1:00.20 (2/20) at GP.
March 6 NOTE: Noble’s Promise worked in company on March 5 with 3-year-old filly Beautician, who was timed two-fifths slower as she prepares for her first start of the year. "I thought he worked great," McPeek said of the March 5 move. "He's really doing well right now. It came down between the Rebel and the Tampa Bay Derby, and I just thought he might not like that surface up at Tampa," McPeek told DRF.com. "Some horses like it and some don't, and I just had a hunch he might not handle it. But the Rebel is a nice, solid race to get him back in the game. The biggest issue right now is firming up the shipping, but I'm hoping to have him on a plane for Arkansas on Tuesday morning."
Feb. 24 NOTE: Noble's Promise is said to be heading to the Grade II Rebel on March 13.
Jan. 22 NOTE:Still no workouts since his Dec. 19 race for Noble's Promise. Jan. 15 NOTE: Supporters of this horse need to see a workout from him in the relatively near future. He's in South Florida.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
After a win on the Ellis Park Turf in his second start on Sept. 5, Noble's Promise was sent to Presque Isle Downs, where he won the Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile by 3 1/4 lengths--resulting in three races in 35 days once he ran in the Dixiana.
Oct. 10, Grade I Dixiana Breeders' Futurity, Keeneland, 1 1/16 Mile. Noble’s Promise won at 12-1 odds to earn a start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The Breeders' Futurity, formerly sponsored by Lane's End, is Keeneland's premiere Fall race for 2-year-olds.
Willie Martinez sent Noble's Promise to the front with a quarter mile remaining in the 1 1/16-mile race, and they held off Aikenite for a half-length victory. It was three lengths back to third-place Roman Invasion, and another 1 1/4 length to Make Music for Me.
The winner crossed the finish line in 1:43.12. Noble's Promise paid $27.80 as the sixth choice in the wagering.
Willie Martinez, rider of winner Noble’s Promise: “I’d like to thank the owners and Kenny (McPeek) for giving me the opportunity. Kenny was very much up front with me (saying), ‘You can get the mount here.’ I always believed in this colt, the minute I won on him at Presque Isle. I knew he was a fast horse; always the question was the distance. Kenny said, ‘Ride your race, let him settle.’ I really believe in this horse. He has a good mind on him. I believe he can carry on.”
Ken McPeek, trainer of Noble’s Promise, “Willie sat on him perfect. We were a little worried about the race unfolding and him going too fast early. I just told him, ‘Just be patient. If you take him back and he gets beat, I’ll take the heat.’ He rode him to a ‘T.’ The horse is fast.”
Breeders' Cup? “Yeah, absolutely. You’ve gotta give him a chance.”
Nov. 7, Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. Noble's Promise finished third, coming in behind Vale of York and Lookin at Lucky.
Willie Martinez, jockey: “Just a half a length away from history. We had a great trip. I kind of placed him where he wanted to be. I tried to be as patient as I could be. We just got run down. I’m very proud of my horse. He’s going to be a real nice 3-year-old.”
Ken McPeek, trainer: “The work we missed a couple of weeks ago because of the infection he had got us beat today. He just got a little weary in the last few jumps, but he ran great. We were behind the eight-ball a little with this horse. I didn’t even think we were going to be able to run two weeks ago. But we got it together, and he ran super.”
Dec. 19, Grade I CashCall Futurity, Hollywood Park, 1 1/16 Mile. Second choice Noble’s Promise, the third-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, finished second. He ran well through the stretch after racing wide much of the way. He finished a half-length in front of Make Music for Me in third.
Bob Baffert got a record fifth victory with Lookin at Lucky, who covered the distance in 1:43.30 under Garrett Gomez to finish clear of Noble’s Promise by just under a length. Lookin at Lucky was favored at 3-10.
This race has generated six Kentucky Derby winners.
Breaking from post 1, Lookin At Lucky was eager to run but settled nicely just back of The Program on the backstretch as his stable mate set moderate early fractions of :24.03 and :48.30. Lookin at Lucky was fourth at the first call, then second. He took the lead in the turn and prevailed over Noble's Promise by three-quarters of a length under energetic handling by Gomez.
In the field of seven, Make Music for Me closed from last to finish third, beaten 1 1/4 length, and the pacesetter, The Program, was a neck back in fourth at the wire. Marcello was another six lengths back in fifth, followed by Brady Blue Eyes and Seattle Ruler.
Noble's Promise broke from post 6 and was placed third at each call until the final one, but as indicated above, he was three or four wide from the gate to the end of the far turn.
Rafael Bejarano, aboard Noble's Promise: “The horse did very well. From where he was drawn, I tried to get him comfortable early. My horse came running to the end, he never quit. The other horse (Lookin At Lucky) just had a better post and that really helped him. I know I can beat him next time.”
Dec. 22 NOTE: DRF.com reported trainer McPeek is "giving Noble's Promise a brief freshening following his second-place finish in the CashCall Futurity."
Dec. 31 NOTE: Noble's Promise will be in South Florida for the Gulfstream meet.
RADIOHEAD (GB) Trainer: Richard Dutrow, Jr. Owner: IEAH Stables, Pegasus Holding Group, Carmen Burrell & Jonathan Harvey
Breeder: Redmyre Bloodstock & S. Hillen
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Johannesburg (Hennessy, Myth)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Security Interest (Belong to Me, She's Got the Facts)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 3-4-9-0-0 (16) 2.56
Foal Date: April 26, 2007
Prior to IEAH/Pegusus purchase: Tattersall's October 2008 Yearling Sale: $143,038.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
March 6 NOTE: Radiohead will contest the Grade I Florida Derby on March 20.
March 2 NOTE: The Grade I Florida Derby on March 20 is being considered for Radiohead.
March 1 NOTE: Trainer Dutrow had not announced a next race for Radiohead, as of this morning.
Feb. 27, Allowance, Gulfstream Park, One Mile. Radiohead won this closely-watched race. Edgar Prado handled the mount.
Radiohead was timed in 1:35.90 after pressing pacesetter General Maximus (deleted from Worth Watching), who set initial fractions of :24.18, :47.92 and 1:12.20. The winner drew off to prevail by 3 1/4 lengths over Homeboykris--also trained by Dutrow--who came from an early position in fifth, albeit only a length-and-a-half back in the early going. Call Shot finished third, while General Maximus faded to fourth. Six ran. Radiohead was favored at 8-5.
Feb. 20, Grade II Hutcheson Stakes, Gulfstream Park, Seven Furlongs. Scratched. Stable mate D' Funnybone won the race.
On Jan. 17, RADIOHEAD breezed four on firm turf in :56.80 (7/9) at GP.
On Jan. 23, RADIOHEAD breezed five on a good track in 1:01.20 (9/20) at GP.
On Jan. 30, RADIOHEAD breezed four in :52.00 (42/43) at GP.
On Feb. 5, RADIOHEAD breezed five in 1:02.80 (19/22) at GP.
On Feb. 12, RADIOHEAD worked five in :59.40 (1/15) at GP.
On Feb. 18, RADIOHEAD breezed four from the gate in :49.20 (26/39) at GP.
On Feb. 23, RADIOHEAD breezed four in :50.20 (25/30) at GP.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Radiohead won the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Ascot going five furlongs back in June. That was his third start--he'd broken his maiden second time out on May 18. He followed that up with a third in a Group 1 and a fourth in a Group 2. All those races were on the turf.
Oct. 2, Group 1 Shadwell Middle Park Stakes, Newmarket, Six Furlongs (T). The undefeated Awzaan scored his fourth straight win, and his second straight over Radiohead, hitting the wire 3/4 length ahead of Radiohead. Trainer Brian Meehan said Radiohead, a son of 2001 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Johannesburg, may be headed to Santa Anita.
Nov. 7, Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. At 10-1 odds under Martin Dwyer, Radiohead broke alright from post 11 but was outrun early after being checked on the first turn. Twelfth of 13 for the first six furlongs, he finished willingly and hit the wire seventh, beaten only four lengths by winner Vale of York.
Dec. 24 NOTE: Radiohead remained in the U.S. and eventually was sent to South Florida. He was seen putting in a three-furlong workout on Christmas Eve at Gulfstream Park.
Dec. 30 NOTE: Radiohead breezed three furlongs at Gulfstream Park.
RON THE GREEK (FL) Trainer: Tom Amoss
Owner: Jack T. Hammer
Breeder: Jack T. Hammer
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Full Mandate (A.P. Indy, Clear Mandate)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): Flambe` (Fortunate Prospect, Flambeau)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-5-10-0-0 (20) 3.00
Foal Date: May 9, 2007
According to trainer Amoss, Ron the Greek was named after a friend of the owner’s who died of cancer, but he did live to know that the horse was named after him and was able to visit the horse briefly before he died.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On March 1, RON THE GREEK breezed four in :50.60 (66/117) at FG.
On March 7, RON THE GREEK breezed five in 1:03.40 (44/53) at FG.
March 6 NOTE: Ron the Greek remains on target for the Grade II Louisiana Derby on March 27. Trainer Amoss termed his March 1 workout a maintenance move, saying on March 5, “His big work will come next week."
Feb. 20, Grade II Risen Star Stakes, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile. Ron the Greek saw quicker early fractions winning the Lecomte than he saw in the Risen Star, when he was again reserved early but came up 4 1/4 lengths short. He was in last position for the first quarter-mile, then eleventh of 12 for the next half-mile. Dictating a moderate pace, Discreetly Mine and Javier Castellano were timed in 1:44.48 after setting fractions of :24.60, :48.75, 1:13.44 and 1:38.17.
Tempted to Tapit second, Northern Giant third, Drosselmeyer fourth in a merry-go-round finish. Stay Put fifth after also trying to close.
James Graham, aboard Ron the Greek: “The pace was so slow. A little speed in the next one will definitely help.”
Jan. 23, Grade III Lecomte Stakes, Fair Grounds, One Mile 40 Yards. Racing down the backstretch, James Graham could have used binoculars to spot the leaders, but by the time they got to the finish line at Fair Grounds, all he needed was a rear view mirror.
Ron the Greek (7-1) and Graham 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.
Maximus Ruler, the betting choice at 2-1, finished second after leading through fractions of :23.42, :46.80 and 1:12.27.
Letsgetitonmon (18-1) hit the wire third after also coming from well back in the field, and was 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.
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.
Trainer Amoss may have tipped the horse when he said before the race, “This is a very interesting horse. We’ve always known he wanted a route of ground, and in that last race at Remington, he came from last place and then had to check after beginning his run. He’s a bigger horse than most, and he makes quite a presence in the paddock.”
“He has a big kick,” winning jockey Graham said of Ron the Greek. “He does what you tell him to do. If you want to go he’ll wait until you pull the trigger.”
“We really thought he had a good chance today," winning trainer Tom Amoss said. "For the horseplayers that like to examine the horses in the paddock he really does look the part. He’s a very, very good-looking horse. He’s a one-run horse, period. Let’s hope he always has some pace up front.
“I certainly think (the Risen Star would be next). It’s another seventy yards. The Risen Star would be a tremendously flattering race to win, not only for myself but for Mr. Hammer. We’ll let him tell us, but that’s certainly what we’re thinking.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Ron the Greek raced three times, winning twice. In his debut, he broke his maiden going six furlongs at Hoosier Park after swooping off a 10-length deficit. He was timed in 1:11.80. That was on Oct. 11.
Second time out and running added distance, he won a one-mile allowance race at Delta Downs on Nov. 13. Again, he was way off the pace and made up over nine lengths to win. He was timed in 1:40.12.
Third time out, he was put in the Springboard Stakes at Remington Park, again running a mile. Launching his bid from 16 lengths out of it, he finished fourth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Turf Melody.
Ron the Greek put in three December works at Fair Grounds.
On March 1, RULE worked four in :48.80 (18/53) at PMM.
On March 7, RULE worked five in :1:01.30 (6/31) at PMM.
March 8 NOTE:“He went...extremely well. I’d like to keep them (Eskendereya and Rule) separated. I’ll have to talk to Elliott (Walden of WinStar Farm), but the backup would be the Wood Memorial,” said Pletcher.
March 5 NOTE: "We'll run Eskendereya and/or Rule in the Florida Derby," trainer Pletcher told DRF.com on March 3. "Both horses will work Sunday at Palm Meadows, after which we'll make a decision.
Feb. 23 NOTE: Grade I Florida Derby next for Rule.
Feb. 13, Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes, 1 1/16 Mile. While a dramatic ending threatened to break out, it never materialized, and Rule and John Velazquez led from gate to wire to capture the race as the even-money favorite.
Rule, who broke from post 1, faced Middle of the Nite as his first challenger while the pair led the field through opening fractions of :23.71 and :47.72. Down the backstretch, Schoolyard Dreams chased those two, never far back, while Uptowncharlybrown, the 9-5 second choice, trailed the field of six
Rounding the second turn, Middle of the Nite began to tail off and Schoolyard Dreams, four wide, mounted a challenge to Rule's outside with the first six furlongs in the books in 1:12.36.
Going into the stretch, those two separated themselves from the rest of the six-horse field as Uptowncharlybrown finally began to pick up the pace and make a final run. But neither Schoolyard Dreams nor Uptowncharlybrown could sustain an effort sufficient to the task. Rule prevailed over Schoolyrd Dreams by three lengths, with Uptowncharlybrown another length back in third. They were followed by Silver Craft, Middle of the Nite and Tristen's Mambo. African Moon was scratched.
The winner was timed in 1:44.15, barely over a second off the track record set by Street Sense in the 2007 Tampa Bay Derby.
Todd Pletcher: “It just what we were hoping for. He finished up very gamely with his ears pricked at the wire. He’s probably not going to come back for the Tampa Bay Derby; we’re probably going to make his next start in a Grade I. But I will bring something here (for the Tampa Bay Derby.)”
Winning Jockey John Velazquez: "This is a colt with a lot of natural talent, and this race will do him a lot of good. I thought the inside was running good today, but I really didn't want him to get away from the field until I was ready. I want him to learn to run with other horses, so when he took that challenge from the outside getting to the turn, it was what I wanted. Then I asked him in the turn, and he came away nicely, and I didn't have to do much with him in the stretch."
Doug Cauthen President of WinStar: “It was great first effort for the year; I think he learned a lot. Johnny was saying that he started looking around when he got to the lead and just messed around a little bit. That’ll be information that he and Todd use--to use blinkers or whether it’s just waiting a little bit longer. But it was a great first start of the year, and we’re excited, because he’s one of several that we hope are going to keep improving.
We talked about (rating him today), and we hoped that there was going to be a chance, and we’d go for it; but he broke and (Johnny) said if he leads me there, I’ll let him take me. But they went :23.3, almost :23.4, so he just had to hold his position. I think Johnny honestly made the right move, because he had to hold that spot, because if he had to go back, he could have got into trouble. It looked like speed was holding, like it was a fair track, and you could be on the lead or be behind it. The next thing is that he was right there with the pressure, and he wasn’t nervous or anything. He handled it. So he did rate; he just rated beside a horse instead of being two or three lengths behind.
Cauthen on Rule’s next start: It’s a little early to say. Hopefully he comes back good and Todd and Eliot (Walden, WinStar Racing Manager) will think about it. I know that the Florida Derby would be one of the options, and obviously coming back here would be one of the options, but a lot of it would have to do with where our other horses go as well, and just how races shape up and how he’s training. He’s got the earnings, so he can make a decision that fits the horse. There’s no pressure to get any more earnings. The main thing is getting the year off to a good start. It looks like he’s progressing physically, and so we’re happy.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Rule was third in his maiden debut going six furlongs at Belmont Park July 19. On Sept. 5, he finished second at Saratoga going seven furlongs. Increasing his distance to a mile, he won at Belmont Park as the favorite on Oct. 8.
Rule won the ungraded Jean Lafitte by nine lengths on Nov. 6 at Delta Downs in track-record time of 1:37.45 for the mile. John Velazquez rode him. With that accomplishment, he had a career record of 2-1-1 in four races.
As of late November, Rule was to remain at Churchill Downs with Pletcher assistant Michael Dilger instead of shipping to Florida with others from the barn.
“He’s going to the Delta Jackpot, the $750,000 race at Delta Downs next Friday,” Dilger said on Nov. 27. “I will stay here with the one horse until (Dec. 2).”
Dec. 4, Grade III Boyd Gaming's Delta Jackpot Stakes, Delta Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. In the bullring at Delta Downs, Rule won and earned $450,000 in graded money. Uh Oh Bango was second, picking up a check for $150,000.
The pair raced one-two all the way around, with Rule prevailing by a neck while timed in 1:45.63 on a sloppy track. John Velazquez handled Rule; Glenn Corbett rode Uh Oh Bango.
Rule set initial fractions of :23.24, :46.75, 1:12.12 and 1:38.77. Uh Oh Bango pressed the pace, challenging Rule throughout. The two dueled down the stretch.
Relatively speaking, the final time wasn't too bad. Truth and Justice won the filly counterpart to this race, the one-mile Delta Princess Stakes, in 1:40.05.
Finishing third and fourth were Oak Motte and Litigation Risk.
Oak Motte was beaten only three lengths after racing five wide around the first turn while seventh of eight. He made a late bid, but Litigation Risk was defeated by 13 3/4 lengths.
John Velazquez: "He had to work today. It was a little different than it was when he was here before, quite a bit heavier. Once I got after him, he put in a good fight. It was well done. He wasn't allowing (Uh Oh Bango) to go by. He did just enough."
SIDNEY'S CANDY (KY) Trainer: John Sadler
Owner: The Craig Family Trust
Breeder: Jenny Craig & Sidney H. Craig
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Candy Ride (Ride the Rails, Candy Girl)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Fair Exchange (Storm Cat, Exchange (CAN))
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 2-2-5-1-0 (10) 1.86
Foal Date: Jan. 27, 2007
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On Feb. 26, SIDNEY'S CANDY worked five in 1:00.40 (7/41) at HOL.
On March 6, SIDNEY'S CANDY worked six in 1:13.20 (4/9) at HOL.
Feb. 26 NOTE: Trainer Sadler said that Sidney’s Candy and Dave in Dixie could make their next starts in the Grade II San Felipe Stakes on March 13. “Either one or both of them could start,” he said.
Feb. 17 NOTE: Sidney's Candy is possible for the March 6 Gotham Stakes next.
Feb. 15, Grade II San Vicente Stakes, Santa Anita, Seven Furlongs. Sidney's Candy and Joe Talamo blew 'em away, opening way up in the stretch to win by 4 1/4 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.
Joe Talamo: “I was confident he’d bounce back with a good effort today. John told me to just get a good start and go from there. At the three-eighths, I just kind of clucked to him and he got right into the bridle. They’ve done a great job with this horse. I just basically sat on him today and I couldn’t believe that final time, that’s awesome. It’s very exciting to have a horse of this caliber.”
John Sadler: “In his last start, he had been off four or five months, he was a little heavy and he didn’t break. He’s kind of a free-running horse, so when he got out of his game the other day, it didn’t surprise me that he didn’t run well.
"We want him to do what he does, which is kind of bouncing around a little bit with some natural speed. Once I saw him get rhythmic today, I knew we were going to be fine. The plan today was to get him back on the lead.
"I don’t know what’s next yet. We’re going to look at all the different races. The reason I didn’t want to go into an allowance race is because of the graded earnings for the big stuff. He’ll be going around two turns next time, that’s for sure. Which one of those races it is, we don’t know yet."
In the winner's circle immediately after the race, Sadler said, "I think he'll run a mile, mile and an eighth."
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Sidney's Candy broke his maiden on Aug. 22 at Del Mar. He defeated what many viewed as a good field in fine fashion--he ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02 3/5. However, he came down with a couple of sore shins and was off for awhile.
Dec. 22 NOTE: "I think he's our number one (2-year-old) contender," trainer Sadler told Daily Racing Form. "He's turned into a big, beautiful horse."
Dec. 30, Allowance, Six Furlongs, Santa Anita. It was the much-anticipated return of Sidney’s Candy, who was a “buzz” horse at 3-5 odds, but he never had much of a chance, according to onlookers.
Along with a 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.
Tiny Woods led throughout, setting hot fractions of :22.02, :44.38 and :56.14 before finishing in 1:08.89.
On Jan. 24, SUPER SAVER breezed three in :38.40 (8/8) at PMM.
On Jan. 31, SUPER SAVER worked four in :48.40 (14/56) at PMM.
On Feb. 7, SUPER SAVER breezed four in :48.20 (4/55) at PMM.
On Feb. 14, SUPER SAVER worked five in 1:01.40 (9/35) at PMM.
On Feb. 21, SUPER SAVER breezed five in 1:02.00 (11/22) at PMM. On March 1, SUPER SAVER worked five in 1:00.60 (4/32) at PMM. On March 7, SUPER SAVER breezed five in 1:00.60 (2/31) at PMM. March 9 NOTE: Super Saver is probable for the Grade III Tampa Bay Derby, per DRF.com on March 8.
March 5 NOTE: "At the moment we're leaning towards the Tampa Bay Derby for Super Saver," trainer Pletcher told DRF.com on March 3.
March 1 NOTE: Bloodhorse.com blog from Feb. 26 says Super Saver will go to the Rebel.
Feb. 9 NOTE: Super Saver mentioned for either the Grade III Gotham at Aqueduct or the Grade II Rebel at Oaklawn Park. The Gotham is on March 6; the Rebel is on March 13.
Jan. 30 NOTE: Next: "Something the first week in March," trainer Pletcher said.
Jan. 22 NOTE: Still no workouts since November for Super Saver.
Jan. 15 NOTE: Supporters of this horse need to see a workout from him in the relatively near future. He was reported to be doing well in South Florida.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Super Saver broke his maiden in his second start going a mile at Belmont Park on Sept. 11, and prevailing by seven lengths over a sloppy/sealed track. That effort was deemed worthy of putting him in stakes company next time out.
Oct. 10, Grade I Champagne Stakes, Belmont Park, One Mile. Super Saver set fractions of :22.79, :45.78, and 1:09.51. At that point, he'd put out a strong effort and could not maintain it to the wire, finishing fourth to Homeboykris, beaten two lengths--and a half-length by second finisher Discreetly Mine, a nose by Aspire.
Nov. 27 NOTE: Next: the Kentucky Jockey Club. "This will get him a chance to go two turns, and he’s by Maria’s Mon, and he’s already had a Derby winner (Monarchos in 2001),” assistant trainer Michael Dilger said.
Nov. 28, Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. 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.
Super Saver was the 2-1 second choice, a notch below 8-5 Thiskyhasnolimit, who finished a well-beaten sixth.
Super Saver covered the distance on a fast track in 1:42.83. The previous stakes record of 1:43.14 was established by Captain Steve in 1999.
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.
Calvin Borel: “He’s an awesome colt. I talked to Todd, and he told me the main thing was to try and get this one to change leads a little earlier. I made him switch leads in the turn, and he really turned it on again. He ran really fast. I think he is just a good race horse. When I picked him up at about the sixteenth pole he just broke away again.”
Todd Pletcher (via telephone): “It was a big effort from him. You know, he’s a colt that’s shown a lot of promise from early on, and he’s starting to put things together. Obviously, it was his first time two turns and first Grade II performance. I was little concerned that the fractions were fast but Calvin is riding so well right now, you’ve got to trust a guy’s judgment when he’s in the zone like he is.
“It’s very exciting to have a well-bred colt that’s good-looking with all the tools and obviously getting better as the year goes along. It’s very, very exciting to have one like that. He’ll go to Palm Meadows on Tuesday and we’ll get him settled in there. I’ll talk to (racing manager) Elliott (Walden) and come up with a game plan on what we’ll do. Obviously, we’ll freshen him up and point for something in the spring.”
Kenny Troutt, co-owner: “Oh was that exciting. This is what horse racing is all about. Just to be a part of it is exciting. Breaking the stakes record, now that’s big. We were very worried about the first two fractions (:23.33 for the first quarter mile and :46.75 for the half), and thought we were in a whole lot of trouble.
"But Calvin had a lot of horse left. He knew it and went on with it. This is a great time of year to have a good 2-year-old and getting ready to be back here next year.”
Dec. 31 NOTE: Super Saver is in South Florida.
UH OH BANGO (AZ) Trainer: R. Kory Owens
Owner: Triple AAA Ranch (Richard Owens)
Breeder: Triple AAA Ranch
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Top Hit (Twining, Popular Tune)
Dam (Dam Sire, Dam): French Debutante (French Deputy, To the Post)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 2-1-3-0-0 (6) 3.00
Foal Date: March 4, 2007
A half-brother to multiple stakes winner Ez Dreamer.
A ridgling.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
Feb. 24 NOTE: Trainer Owens told DRF.com Uh Oh Bango is to arrive at Oaklawn Park from Turf Paradise later this week to prepare for the Grade II Rebel on March 13.
Feb. 23 NOTE: Lots of rain has been causing race card cancellations at Turf Paradise, and there were no workouts reported at the track on Feb. 21-22. Uh Oh Bango hasn't yet shown up on the worktab at Oaklawn Park, either, even though connections said early in February they wanted to ship him there mid-month.
On Jan. 26, UH OH BANGO worked four in :49.40 (62/92) at TUP.
On Feb. 2, UH OH BANGO worked five in 1:03.20 (34/43) at TUP.
On Feb. 9, UH OH BANGO worked six in 1:13.60 (3/6) at TUP.
On Feb. 15, UH OH BANGO worked seven in 1:29.00 (1/1) at TUP.
On March 5, UH OH BANGO breezed five in 1:03.20 (11/15) at OP.
Feb. 4 NOTE: Uh Oh Bango is headed to Oaklawn Park, and connnections have the Grade II Rebel on March 13 in mind for his first 2010 start, according to a report at DRF.com. Trainer Owens wants Uh Oh Bango to be able to work over the surface, so connections plan to ship him there from Turf Paradise mid-month. Owens called Uh Oh Bango's most recent workout "an easy five-eighths."
Uh Oh Bango earned a 102 Beyer for his win in the one-turn Prairie Meadows Freshman in September. DRF says it's the highest Beyer number for a 2-year-old last year.
Jan. 22 NOTE: Still no workouts for Uh Oh Bango since he raced on Dec. 4.
Jan. 15 NOTE: Supporters of this horse need to see a workout from him in the relatively near future. He is wintering at Turf Paradise.
NTRA.com says connections have considered sending Uh Oh Bango to Oaklawn in the spring, with the targets there being the Rebel on March 13 and the Arkansas Derby on April 10. Another plan would be to start the horse in the Borderland Derby at Sunland Park on Feb. 27 as prelude to the Sunland Park Derby, which is now a Grade III race, on March 28. Another option would be the Turf Paradise Derby on Feb. 20.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Uh Oh Bango finished second to Thiskyhasnolimit in the Grade III Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs on Nov. 1. The chart call: "Uh Oh Bango, within striking distance, raced five wide into the turn when moving up, challenged approaching the stretch and held on gamely to be second best."
The third finisher, Soaring Empire, was another three lengths back at the finish.
Dec. 4, Grade III Boyd Gaming's Delta Jackpot Stakes, Delta Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. In the bullring at Delta Downs, Rule won and earned $450,000 in graded money. Uh Oh Bango was second, picking up a check for $150,000. The pair raced one-two all the way around, with Rule prevailing by a neck while timed in 1:45.63 on a sloppy track. John Velazquez handled Rule; Glenn Corbett rode Uh Oh Bango.
Rule set initial fractions of :23.24, :46.75, 1:12.12 and 1:38.77. Uh Oh Bango pressed the pace, challenging Rule throughout. The two dueled down the stretch.
Relatively speaking, the final time wasn't too bad. Truth and Justice won the filly counterpart to this race, the one-mile Delta Princess Stakes, in 1:40.05.
Finishing third and fourth were Oak Motte and Litigation Risk. Oak Motte was beaten only three lengths after racing five wide around the first turn while seventh of eight. He made a late bid, but Litigation Risk was defeated by 13 3/4 lengths.
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