BODEMEISTER
COZZETTI
CREATIVE CAUSE
DADDY NOSE BEST
I'LL HAVE ANOTHER
OPTIMIZER
PRETENSION
TEETH OF THE DOG
TIGER WALK
WENT THE DAY WELL
ZETTERHOLM
BODEMEISTER (VA)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Zayat Stables LLC & Southern Equine Stable
Breeder: Audley Farm, Inc.
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Empire Maker (Unbridled, Toussaud)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Untouched Talent (Storm Cat, Parade Queen)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 9-9-12-0-2 (32) 3.00
Foal Date: April 28, 2009
Photo by Reed Palmer Photography, Churchll Downs
$260,000 Keeneland September 2010.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
May 5, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Bodemeister set a fast pace that eventually got to him, but he still finished second, beaten 1 1/2 lengths by I'll Have Another. The chart call: "Bodemeister vied for the early lead near the rail, took over before a half, led the field through a fast pace into the second turn, increased his lead under urging approaching the stretch, stayed on gamely to the final sixteenth but could not cope with the winner late."
BOB BAFFERT – “He was doing it easily. He was within himself. He was being pressed, but he’s a brilliant horse. That’s the way he wanted to run. We talked about it before. I told Mike, ‘Look, if he breaks great and feels like running, we can win it.’ He ran his race. He was there and he just got tired a little bit. He’s only run four times. I was really proud of him. He’s a super impressive horse.
“When they were coming for him, I was thinking about War Emblem, except War Emblem got :46 and change. If the half could have been in :46 it would have been good, but Mike rode him perfect. I have no complaints there. We got beat. You get beat. But he showed up and that’s all a trainer can ask for is that his horse shows up on the big days, and he showed up.
“I wasn’t surprised. He’s a very fast horse and I didn’t want to change his style. Actually the jockey of Trinniberg had a hold of his horse as best he could, but I knew he was there. That’s horse racing. The reason I didn’t get pumped up all week is that in a 20-horse Kentucky Derby anything can happen. He ran his race and that’s all you can ask for. That’s the only time I’ve run second where I’ve been happy because he ran his race.”
MIKE SMITH – “I’m very disappointed, but at the same time I’m just so proud of him. He’s brilliant. He really is. He was flying leaving there. He was two in front leaving the gate. He didn't finish first, but he's still the winner. He's such a free running horse that I couldn't take that away from him. At the top of the stretch, I really thought we had it, but I knew we were in trouble when I saw Doug's horse coming.”
April 14, Grade I Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park, 1 1/8 Mile. First by a half-length after a quarter-mile and 1 1/2 length after a half, Bodemeister won by 9 1/2 lengths. Under Mike Smith, he was timed in 1:48.71 after setting fractions of :23.02, :46.55, 1:11.36 and 1:36.74. Secret Circle was second all the way and finished second after drifting out and in badly in the stretch. Just behind him were Sabercat and Cozzetti, the former edging out the latter by a head to complete the superfecta. Smith had committed to ride Daddy Nose Best in the Kentucky Derby. After the Arkansas Derby, Smith was less than committal.
Bob Baffert: “The key to this horse is keeping him quiet in the post parade. He got really hot in his last race. It’s exciting to see a young horse develop like this.
“I told both riders that I didn’t care what they did as long as they ran one-two. I let them each run their own race. Bodemeister really ran huge. It’s a great feeling to run one-two in a million dollar race. We’ll see what this took out of them and then we’ll start talking Derby. Oaklawn is a very kind surface, and the horses have been coming back great. Bodemeister should be in great shape. He ran hard and fast. We know distance won’t be a problem.”
“We took some really nice horses there. They all ran well and had been training well. I have a great staff, and Jimmy Barnes does a great job.”
Assistant Trainer Jimmy Barnes: “What a race. That was sweet. We knew he was good, didn’t know quite how good but he moved up a lot after his last race. We are very happy.”
Mike Smith: “It was extremely impressive. You could see it as well as I could feel it. I had been watching him work, watching him run. I had seen his last two works and I was very impressed. He was ultra impressive. That was eighth was something. I was looking around about a length or so in front of the other horse and I set him down just in case someone was going to be coming, but then I looked up at the big TV board and I was like, whoa…I was like seven in front. I’m just going to enjoy this right now. I don’t even know if I’m going to get to ride this horse back, because I was really just kind of filling in. I’m just going to enjoy it and we’ll see. We all know how much things can change this time of year before the Derby.”
March 10, Grade II San Felipe Stakes, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. Bodemeister was a prominent pace factor and finished second. American Act set the pace and marked fractions of :22.95 and :46.98, with Bodemeister nearby, and Creative Cause in perfect stalking position in fifth. Rounding the far turn, Bodemeister put American Act away, but Creative Cause was getting geared up and threatened to take the lead at the top of the lane. Instead, Creative Cause and Joel Rosario went wide into the stretch, losing some ground on Bodemeister. The remainder of the race consisted of Bodemeister coming out and Creative Cause coming in, switching leads and then digging past Bodemeister in the last few yards to win by three parts of a length. The 1 1/16 mile was timed in 1:41.84. Bodemeister took home $60,000 of the $300,000 purse.
Bob Baffert: “He ran well. He just got a little tired. He ran a pretty hard race.”
Rafael Bejarano: “My horse ran a really good race. He broke really well from the gate. I was in the perfect position. He was really comfortable. He showed me a big kick in the stretch. The other horse had to run really hard to beat me. He tried really hard. It’s only his third time.”
Feb. 15 NOTE: “I’ll have to give extra time and run him back (in a stakes race) in March somewhere,” Baffert said, expressing confidence. “I’ll have to find a spot.”
Feb. 11, Maiden Special Weight, Santa Anita, One Mile. He didn't look all that great at the gate, but Bodemeister won by 9 1/4 lengths, timed a little bit faster than Fed Biz went two days earlier: 1:34.45 versus 1:34.74. Bodemeister led at each call and set fractions of :23.09, :46.95 and 1:10.72 under Rafael Bejarano. He led by six lengths with a furlong left to run. He was the 2.4-1 third choice. Welter Weight (2.1-1) and Stirred Up (2.1-1) were second and third across the finish line, separated by a neck. The chart call for Bodemeister: "A bit washy at the gate, (he) sped to the lead three deep then outside a rival, inched away and angled in, set the pace inside, opened up on the second turn, was ridden along for several strides to widen in midstretch and was under a long hold the final sixteenth.
Jan. 17, Maiden Special Weight, Santa Anita, 5 1/2 Furlongs. Bodemeister finished second to American Act. After stalking in third behind the pacesetting American Act, Bodemeister finished second, beaten two lengths under Rafael Bejarano. The winner's time was 1:02.39 after initial fractions of :21.41 and :44.17.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Unraced.
COZZETTI (KY)
Trainer: Dale Romans
Owner: Albaugh Family Stable
Breeder: Soc. Agr. Santa Elena De Chimbarongo Ltd.
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Cozzene (Caro (IRE), Ride the Trails)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Lemon Drop Cello (Lemon Drop Kid, La Pascua (SWI))
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 4-6-14-4-0 (28) 1.55
Foal Date: March 29, 2009
Photo by Reed Palmer, Churchill Downs
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On May 1, Cozzetti breezed four in :48.80 (5/26) at CD.
On May 7, Cozzetti breezed five in 1:01.00 (5/19) at CD.
On May 14, Cozzetti breezed five on a muddy track in :58.80 (1/10) at CD.
April 14, Grade I Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Cozzetti was eighth at the first two calls, then sixth, then looked like he might get second or third. But he finished fourth, beaten 9 3/4 lengths by Bodemeister. The winner was timed in 1:48.71 after setting fractions of :23.02, :46.55, 1:11.36 and 1:36.74.
Jose Lezcano: “My horse ran a good race. I thought we might close some ground and then we might become a threat late, but the winner kept on running.”
March 10, Grade II Tampa Bay Derby, Tampa Bay Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. Cozzetti was so far behind in the early going that his number didn't appear on the screen of the Trackus system, but he mounted a sharp rally under Jose Lezcano heading into the second turn and came wide down the stretch to take third, beaten 3 3/4 lengths by Prospective. Cozzetti was awarded $35,000 and now has that amount of total graded money.
Jan. 21, Kitten's Joy Stakes, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/16 Mile (T). Cozzetti and Julien Leparoux loomed up to challenge front-running winner Howe Great, but the latter one repulsed the challenge and led the whole way in a one-two stable finish for Graham Motion and Team Valor. Lucky Chappy, who dawdled at the start as usual, made up ground to get the place. Cozetti settled for fourth, beaten 5 1/4 lengths. Empire Builder, who also challened Howe Great, was third, beaten 3 1/4 lengths.The winning time was 1:40.42. The first six furlongs went in 1:11.17.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
On Nov. 16, Cozetti broke his maiden impressively at Churchill Downs in his third lifetime start. It was a 1 1/16-mile race on the dirt. He and Julien Leparoux tracked a slow pace in second, then drew off to win by five. Optionality was second. Seven ran. Cozzetti was timed in 1:47.39 on a sloppy/sealed track.
Next out on Dec. 17, Cozzetti finished eighth in the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park in December. Later on, trainer Romans said, “I thought he would win out there, but he didn’t. I don’t know if he chased that pace a little too close or what."
CREATIVE CAUSE (KY)
Trainer: Mike Harrington
Owner: Heinz Steinmann
Breeder: James C. Weigel
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat, Mariah's Storm)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Dream of Summer (Siberian Summer, Mary's Dream)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 3-2-23-0-0 (28) 1.43
Foal Date: April 6, 2009
Photo by Alex Evers/Eclipse Sportswire
$135,000 Keeneland September 2010.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
May 5, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Creative Cause finished fifth, beaten three lengths. The chart call: "Creative Cause in hand early mid pack, was in close quarters three wide entering the first turn, angled to the outside on the backstretch, made an eight wide run out of the second turn and finished willingly."
MIKE HARRINGTON – “It didn’t look like he had any trouble. He just got outrun, I guess."
JOEL ROSARIO – “He was doing everything perfect as we went around; everything was good. Turning for home, we were in great shape, but he seemed to get a little tired the last part.”
April 7, Grade I Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita, 1 1/8 Mile. It was all Blueskiesnrainbows, a 42-1 shot, for most of the race, but I'll Have Another and Creative Cause rallied to run one-two. Blueskiesnrainbows set fractions of :23.11, :47.11 and 1:11.14, while I'll Have Another tracked the longshot, followed by Longview Drive and Senor Rain. The race went with those four in charge until the far turn. Senor Rain andLongview Drive began dropping back while Blueskiesnrainbows and I'll Have Another kept going. Creative Cause and Joel Rosario had been positioned fifth, then sixth, then fourth while saving ground, and they began running at the leader. As Creative Cause straightened toward the wire, he put away Blueskiesnrainbows and got the jump on I'll Have Another. But I'll Have Another came back, and I'll Have Another won by a nose with his head down at the wire. I'll Have Another was timed in 1:47.88. It was the fastest time in the Santa Anita Derby since 2000.
Mike Harrington, trainer of Creative Cause: “(Joel Rosario) rode him good, he said the horse tried, he just got outrun. That happens. I thought the horse ran a helluva race. I thought Joel rode him perfectly. The other horse beat us today, but will he beat us next time? I don’t know.”
Will blinkers stay off for the Kentucky Derby? “Sure, I mean, why not? He was more focused. I mean, he never bobbled today. He ran his race. He just got outrun. That happens in this sport. He’s not tired. He’ll come out of this race. He ran such a huge race last time, he couldn’t improve on that race too much. I mean, how far can you go? He ran a zero Thoroughgraph in the last race, so how much further can you go?
“This will set him up. He ran hard. It didn’t hurt him. He’s still got a lot left in him. Maybe the other horse had to run too hard to beat him. We won’t know for four weeks.”
Joel Rosario, Creative Cause: “Everything went well. I’ve ridden the winner before, and he can run. My horse gave me 100 percent, but I think we were second-best today. Sometimes it’s hard to keep winning. I waited inside and had a perfect trip. No excuses today, just second best.”
April 4 NOTE: Blinkers off for the Santa Anita Derby.
March 25 NOTE: “He’s starting to work faster on his own, which is a good sign,” trainer Harrington said. “It shows he’s full of energy.”
March 10, Grade II San Felipe Stakes, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. American Act set the pace and marked fractions of :22.95 and :46.98, with Bodemeister nearby, and Creative Cause in perfect stalking position in fifth. Rounding the far turn, Bodemeister put American Act away, but Creative Cause was getting geared up and threatened to take the lead at the top of the lane. Instead, Creative Cause and Joel Rosario went wide into the stretch, losing some ground on Bodemeister. The remainder of the race consisted of Bodemeister coming out and Creative Cause coming in, switching leads and then digging past Bodemeister in the last few yards to win by three parts of a length. The 1 1/16 mile was timed in 1:41.84.
Midnight Transfer came running late to finish third -- he was sixth of of 10 after one-half mile -- and looped over to the rail in deep stretch, beaten three lengths.
Liaison was ninth, 5 3/4 lengths off the lead after a half-mile and seventh, five lengths back after six furlongs. He finished fourth, 2 1/2 lengths behind Midnight Transfer.
Creative Cause won $180,000, upping his total graded stakes earnings to $686,000.
Mike Harrington: “He was a little late switching (leads), but Joel said he didn’t have any trouble. I don’t know exactly what the story was. Once he switched, he took off.
“I guess any win is good. They got to work if they win it. This horse will run back in the Santa Anita Derby.
“It’s a real relief to get these kinds of things over with. This was a $300,000; he didn’t have to win it, but these are the kind of races you like to win. I wouldn’t have been disappointed if he didn’t win because he’s got money enough to go.
“I said all along it’s a progression, and the only thing I hope is he doesn’t peak in the Santa Anita Derby instead of the Kentucky Derby. That’s my job to kind of keep that from happening. I felt he would run big off the San Vicente. A lot of people thought the San Vicente was a bad race. I was ecstatic with it.”
Joel Rosario: “The race set up perfect today. There were a couple horses with speed up front, and when I saw tha,t I just let him find his stride and go from there. My horse was a little green at the top of the lane, but I wanted to make sure that he didn’t wait for another horse to come beat him. He galloped out good after the wire, which helps to show he may be the right horse for the Derby. That means a lot to me.
"I’m happy to get a chance to ride in it, and I want to win the race. Mike doesn’t say too much, but he’s really smart, and he’s done a really good job with this horse.”
March 7 NOTE: “He worked alone. I was looking for something closer to :48 or :49,” trainer Harrington said to Bloodhorse.com. “It didn’t seem to take a whole lot out of him; he did it completely on his own. He just doesn’t usually work that fast by himself. I guess he felt like working today.”
March 7 NOTE: Good to go for Saturday's Grade II San Felipe. “I’m going to run them both,” trainer Harrington told Bloodhorse.com. “I started out with a program for (Creative Cause) and along the way (Empire Way) came along, and I considered keeping them apart. But the timing for both of them kind of dictates that I run them this weekend, and then I’ll go from there. Creative Cause will lay close and the other horse will come from back. They won’t interfere with each other as far as running styles, it’s just that I need earnings for Empire Way, and if the other horse beats him, I’m shooting myself in the foot. But you have to do what you have to do sometimes.” Joel Rosario will be on Creative Cause.
Feb. 29 NOTE: “He ran a 4 last time going seven-eighths. He doesn’t have to improve. If he runs a 4 in the San Felipe he will probably win it. I think the added distance will make for an improved effort," trainer Harrington told Bloodhorse.com on Feb. 28.
Feb. 19, Grade II San Vicente Stakes, Santa Anita, Seven Furlongs. Drill, who'd been through a five-month winner's circle drought, figured things out. American Act took the lead from the gate, and Drill fell in behind him through a quarter-mile in :22.78. Drill kept tracking the leader through a half-mile in :45.83. Let's Get Crackin ran behind them, and Creative Cause, who was taken up slightly on the backstretch to get outside, was fourth At the top of the stretch, Drill was ever more threatening as he was getting to American Act. Creative Cause had never been very far back but was last of the four.
A furlong from the wire, six furlongs had gone in 1:09.27, and Drill and Martin Garciahad stuck a head in front of American Act. Let's Get Crackin was beginning to regress, and Creative Cause was under pressure from Joel Rosario and gaining despite switching leads back and forth.
A few jumps from the wire, American Act tried to come back on Drill, and Creative Cause, though making a late surge, had come up short. Drill prevailed by a nose, and Creative Cause was beaten one length. Let's Get Crackin was another 1 1/4 length back. Smoking G and Captain Obvious were scratched.
The final time was 1:21.28.
Creative Cause, who had $488,000 in graded money going in, picked up another $30,000.
Mike Harrington, trainer of Creative Cause: “We got what we wanted out of the race. He’s a route horse, not a seven-furlong horse. We hope he moves forward off of this. Did you see him gallop out? He’ll definitely move forward. I don’t know, because I’ve got the other horse (Empire Way), so I haven’t figured that out yet (his next race). It probably will be the San Felipe for one of them, I don’t know which one.”
Joel Rosario, aboard Creative Cause: “Everything set up perfect, but the other horse was much the best today. The last two times my horse ran, he was going a longer distance, but he shortened up to seven furlongs today, and I think that had something to do with it. He’ll have a little time off after this, so the main thing is that he comes back good. It looks like my horse wants to go a little bit further. He came back good. He galloped out good."
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Aug. 7, Grade II Best Pal Stakes, Del Mar, 6 1/2 Furlongs. Creative Cause made it two-for-two in his brief career with a powerful victory. He had been given a 98 Beyer in his first race.
Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Creative Cause stalked dueling leaders I'll Have Another and Brigand until the top of the stretch where he moved to the outside and unleashed a rally to an easy, 1 3/4 victory. I'll Have Another held on well to be second, 3 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Mighty Monsoon, with Brigand a fading fourth, another 4 1/4 lengths back in the field of six. The race was timed in 1:15.62, very good, and the fastest time for the race since Polytrack was installed as Del Mar's main track surface in 2007.
Creative Cause was the 4-5 favorite. There was a minus show pool of $6,276.
Mike Harrington: “The horse ran exactly the race I wanted to see him run. He had a lot of background before I ran him the first time, so I wasn’t worried about him bouncing.
"(Steinman) spent a lot of money for three horses. I might have a couple better than this one, but you won’t see them for a while. Maybe this fall, maybe next year. We bought them all for 3-year-olds and we’re in no hurry with any of them."
Rafael Bejarano: “Perfect trip. I couldn’t have asked for better. It set up just right for me. He gave me a big kick, but I got after him and let him gallop out strong. He’s a good horse. And I think the farther the better for him.”
Sept. 7, Grade I Del Mar Futurity, Del Mar, Seven Furlongs. Drill prevailed in a race that was roughly run due to Majestic City coming out on Creative Cause nearing the finish line, blocking Creative Cause and causing a chain reaction. The winning jockey dropped his whip a hundred yards out. The winning margin was a neck. The time was 1:22.16. Majestic City, who finished second, was disqualified to third. Creative Cause, who was beaten a length after stalking the pace, moved up to second after taking the worst of it from Creative Cause. Gun Boat, who set the pace and was untroubled by the fracas, was just a nose behind Creative Cause at the wire.
Rafael Bejarano: “I don’t know if it cost me the race or not. My horse was still running at the end. There was no doubt about that. When (Majestic City) came out on me, that was the end of that. That was a total shut off. I’m not sure if I’m going to beat the winner if I’m clear, but my horse was still running.”
Oct. 1, Grade I Norfolk Stakes, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. Creative Cause, at 9-5 odds, drilled 3-5 Drill. Ruler of Dubai set the pace, which was prompted by Creative Cause. Meanwhile, Drill was fourth on the rail and looking for running room entering the turn. He found a seam and came out three wide into the stretch, but by then Creative Cause had opened up a little bit on the field, and the latter one defeated Drill by 3 1/4 lengths. Ruler of Dubai hung to get third, beaten 6 1/2 lengths. Basmati was gaining and finished another half-length back in fourth. Six ran. The winning time was 1:42.66.
Joel Rosario: “The race set up good and he did everything easy. He showed me that he was the best horse in the race. This was his first time going long. The horse on the front had an easy lead, and I was just tracking him. When I asked him to go, he just took off. I don’t know how good he is, but he ran his best race today.”
Mike Harrington: “Yes, we will take him to the Breeders’ Cup off of this race. That’s the reason we ran him. It’s a ‘Win and You’re In’ race. Yeah, he’s the best horse I’ve ever had. He raced in a perfect position, when Joel asked him, he ran by them and drew off by many, so I’d have to think he’s the best horse on the West Coast, the best 2-year-old.”
Asked about finishing a troubled third to Drill in the Del Mar Futurity: “If he hadn’t have been knocked around there he’d have won then, too.
"I’m planning on the Breeders’ Cup. Where I train him, I don’t know.”
Nov. 5, Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. At almost 6-1, Creative Cause and Joel Rosario came in third, beaten only a length. He was third or second at each call of the race while tracking Hansen and Speightscity in the initial stages. At 7-1, Hansen led at each call and won, holding off a determined, even-money Union Rags by a head. Behind Creative Cause, it was another five lengths back to Dullahan. Creative Cause earned $198,000.
Hansen's fractions were :23.26, :47.39, 1:12.24 and 1:37.61 before finishing in 1:44.44, so the final 5/16 mile went in :32.20. He was free-wheeling by 1 1/2 to two lengths the first six furlongs.
Mike Harrington: “He ran a really good race. He just got outrun. We’re going to give him a little break and bring him back next year. We’ll look for really big things from him then.”
Joel Rosario: “We had a nice trip. We were moving about the same time as Union Rags, and I was trying to leave enough, but the winner was just a little bit better. He got a little aggressive in the post parade from all the noise and the people, and I think it might have cost us a little bit in the end.”
On Dec. 30, Creative Cause breezed three in :37.00 (5/8) at HOL.
DADDY NOSE BEST (KY)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Owner: Cathy and Bob Zollars
Breeder: Patricia Ann Elia Trust
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Scat Daddy (Johannesburg, Love Style)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Follow Your Bliss (Thunder Gulch, Follow the Money)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-1-5-1-0 (12) 2.43
Foal Date: March 3, 2009
Photo by Reed Palmer Photography, Churchll Downs
$34,000 RNA Keeneland November 2009.
$35,000 Keeneland September 2010.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On May 14, Daddy Nose Best breezed four on a sloppy track in :53.00 (25/25) at CD.
May 5, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Daddy Nose Best finished tenth, beaten 11 1/2 lengths. The chart call: "Daddy Nose Best steadied when forced in early, gained good position soon after, made a good run between rivals to the quarter mile marker, was bumped in midstretch and tired."
STEVE ASMUSSEN – “He had position, he just didn’t do anything with it.”
GARRETT GOMEZ – “He left the gate well, placed me in a wonderful spot all the way around the track. At the half-mile pole, I was traveling OK but I need him move forward but he was a little hesitant about doing so. He just didn’t finish up the way we were hoping. It’s a shame since he handled everything else so well. Hoepfully he goes on with a stellar career.”
March 25, Grade III Sunland Park Derby, Sunland Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Laying back of a surprisingly fast pace set by 8-5 favorite Castaway and fifth-choice Ender Knievel, Daddy Nose Best and Isn't He Clever came on in the second turn to run one-two all by themselves in the Grade III Sunland Derby. Castaway and Ender Knievel vied through opening fractions of :22.48 and :46.24. Initially, Isn't He Clever and Stirred Up ran third and fourth, while Daddy Nose Best was reserved in sixth by Julien Lepraroux. As the field hit the second turn with six furlongs run in 1:10.83, Isn't He Clever made an explosive move to grab the lead, while the two former front-runners were putting it in reverse. Isn't He Clever led by 2 1/2 lengths with a furlong left in the race, but Daddy Nose Best and Julien Leparoux were taking aim. They took control in the final strides. Timed in 1:48.59, Daddy Nose Best prevailed over Isn't He Clever by three-quarters of a length. Another 7 1/4 lengths back, Stirred Up checked in third. Daddy Nose Best earned $400,000 to add to the $145,558 graded earnings he already had in the bank.
Feb. 18, Grade III El Camino Real Derby, Golden Gate Fields, 1 1/8 Mile. Daddy Nose Best outdueled Lucky Chappy to the wire to win by the barest nostril. Handsome Mike finished third, followed by longshot Unveiled Heat. The three lowest odds horses in the field finished one-two-three.
With the win, Daddy Nose Best picked up $120,000 to push his total graded earnings to $145,558.
The race unfolded with Handsome Mike and 94-1 All Squared Away leading through fractions of :23.31, :47.57 and 1:12.28. All Squared Away was in front and Handsome Mike was in closest pursuit down the backstretch and into the turn. Lady of Fifty and Cahill Chrome weren't far behind. Meanwhile, Daddy Nose Best was tracking in fifth, and Lucky Chappy trailed the field in tenth until he started picking off horses heading to the far turn. Lucky Chappy went from eighth to a short lead with only a furlong remaining in the race. Daddy Nose Best was blocked briefly at the quarter-pole but got to the fore of the field in the stretch and outgamed Lucky Chappy to the wire. The winning time was 1:50.46.
Julien Leparoux traveled from his South Florida base to ride Daddy Nose Best for the seventh consecutive time. The winner was shipped to Golden Gate from Santa Anita for his first try on synthetic track, in this case Tapeta.
Julien Leparoux, aboard Daddy Nose Best: “I didn’t know if I won or not. It was too close to call. It was nice to see the horse fight back.”
Darren Fleming, assistant to winning trainer Steve Asmussen: “We came here because of the added distance and his experience on turf which carries over to synthetic. Winning last year with Silver Medallion helped our decision. He’s been getting better with time, and he’s trained with a different mindset since his last race. He’s been showing us he wanted more ground, so we’ve had to wait for the races to catch up to him.”
Co-owner Bob Zollars: “He was named after that old TV show Father Knows Best, and his sire is Scat Daddy."
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Daddy Nose best raced eight times, won twice, finished second twice and finished third once.
His first two races were at Churchill Downs going short on dirt, and he lost by about 15 lengths combined. He was switched to two turns on turf at Saratoga and broke his maiden in his fourth start going 1 1/16 mile. He got up late to beat Coach Royal by 1/2 length.
Shipped to Woodbine, he finished third, beaten four lengths by Finale in the Grade III Summer Stakes. Excaper was second by less than a length. Daddy Nose Best rallied from a 7 1/2-length deficit.
Daddy Nose Best ran next in the Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and finished sixth, beaten only 3 3/4 lengths by Wrote. He was tenth in the early going, about seven lengths back.
The colt was kept at Churchill Downs and won a one-mile turf allowance over Saturday Launch by 3 1/4 lengths.
He finished his 2-year-old campaign at Santa Anita with a fifth-place finish behind Chips All In in the Eddie Read on turf, beaten 3 1/4 lengths. He was sixth, four lengths back, at the first call.
Julien Leparoux rode Daddy Nose Best in his final six races as a 2-year-old.
I'LL HAVE ANOTHER (KY)
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Owner: J. Paul Reddam
Breeder: Harvey Clarke
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Flower Alley (Distorted Humor, Princess Olivia)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Arch's Gal (Arch, Force Five Gal)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 2-4-7-1-0 (14) 2.11
Foal Date: April 1, 2009
Santa Anita Photo
$11,000 Keeneland September 2010.
$35,000 OBS Two-Year-Olds in Training 2011.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
May 5, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. I'll Have Another won the race by 1 1/2 length after never being too far behind the pace set by Bodemeister. He was timed in 2:01.83 after breaking from post 19. The chart call: "I'll Have Another angled in early and gained a forward position, eagerly pulled his rider up between rivals late on the backstretch, continued to make progress on the second turn, came four wide into the stretch, reeled in the leader near the sixteenth marker and drew clear late."
DOUG O'NEILL, WINNING TRAINER -- "This race is unbelievable. I can't believe it. Paul, he's a big owner, but he's also a big fan. It's an incredible feeling."
MARIO GUTIERREZ, WINNING JOCKEY -- "He broke sharp, as he usually do. He's such a professional horse. He's a really calm horse. I know he was going to help me 100% through the first part. In the end, he just give 100% all the time. As soon as you ask him, he throws everything on the race, and he didn't disappoint today."
April 25 NOTE: I'll Have Another was placed on the vet’s list in California after undergoing shock wave therapy on his back, which has a tendency to tighten up a little. The listing is mandatory when that therapy is used. “It’s just a pulse that brings blood to an area,” owner Reddam said. “The horse had absolutely nothing wrong with him. Doug just did it because he could do it, and his owner will pay for it. He’s just leaving no stone unturned. In California, you can’t use it within 10 days of an upcoming race, so you have to report it and go on the vet’s list."
April 20 NOTE: One more workout set at Hollywood Park on April 27 before shipping to Kentucky. Mario Gutierrez retains the mount.
April 13 NOTE: I'll Have Another will ship to Louisville on April 28, the same day as Creative Cause.
April 8 NOTE: Shipping plans to Louisville uncertain for I'll Have Another.
April 7, Grade I Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita, 1 1/8 Mile. It was all Blueskiesnrainbows, a 42-1 shot, for most of the race, but I'll Have Another and Creative Cause rallied to run one-two. Blueskiesnrainbows set fractions of :23.11, :47.11 and 1:11.14, while I'll Have Another and Mario Gutierrez tracked the longshot, followed by Longview Drive and Senor Rain. The race went with those four in charge until the far turn. Senor Rain andLongview Drive began dropping back while Blueskiesnrainbows and I'll Have Another kept going. Creative Cause had been positioned fifth, then sixth, then fourth while saving ground, and he began running at the leader. As he straightened toward the wire, Creative Cause put away Blueskiesnrainbows and got the jump on I'll Have Another. But I'll Have Another came back, and I'll Have Another won by a nose with his head down at the wire. I'll Have Another was timed in 1:47.88. It was the fastest time in the Santa Anita Derby since 2000.
Doug O'Neill: “It was a great ride by Gutierrez. To me, he’s the closest thing to Bejarano we’ve got. He’s such a brilliant rider, and he’s got real finesse. He’s confident but a humble kid. If you can’t get Bejarano, why not Gutierrez?
Asked what was going through his mind down the stretch: “I saw Creative Cause come up on the inside and I thought for a split second, running second in the Santa Anita Derby is pretty freaking good. All the wins are big at the time, but right now, this feels as big as it ever gets.
“I loved the way the race unfolded and how Mario had him positioned going into the first turn. Creative Cause coming up on the inside definitely gave me a scare, but our horse fought on. He’s doing so good. Hopefully, he comes out of this good and if he’s 100 percent, it’s on to Louisville.”
Assistant trainer Dennis O'Niell: “I was thinking of the biggest wins in your life and I always thought Stevie Wonderboy (2005 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile) was it, but this tops it. It doesn’t get any better than this. It’s great for Paul Reddam. This is why you’re in the game.”
Mario Gutierrez, aboard I'll Have Another: “This is so unbelievable. He is such a good horse, and he gave me a big kick at the end. There wasn’t any doubt in my mind that my horse would give me everything in the stretch leading up to the wire.”
Feb. 7 NOTE: I'll Have Another will wait for the Santa Anita Derby to make his next start. “We were so elated with his win. Here’s a horse coming off a five-month freshening, going two turns for the first time, and he never turned a hair. So we don’t think he needs any extra experience from that standpoint. He’s pretty close on earnings, so, with a good run in the Santa Anita Derby, he should have enough," trainer O'Neill told DRF.com. O'Neill said I'll Have Another has bounce written all over him if brought back too soon.
Feb. 4, Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Santa Anita, 1 1/16 Mile. I'll Have Another upset at odds of 43-1. Isn't He Clever took the early lead in the field of eight. I'll Have Another was close to the lead tracking in second up the backstretch, with Groovin' Solo and Liaison stalking those two. Isn't He Clever registered times of :23.03, :46.77 and 1:10.52 during the first six furlongs. At that juncture, Isn't He Clever began to tire.
I'll Have Another began mounting a rally in the far turn and took over entering the stretch. Midway through the lane, Groovin' Solo ran into the path of Liaison, who was slowing down noticeably, unseating Rafael Bejarano. Meanwhile, I'll Have Another and jockey Mario Gutierrez were gone. Empire Way made a late run from last position -- he was still sixth after six furlongs -- to finish second, beaten 2 3/4 lengths. Groovin' Solo crossed the wire third.
Rousing Sermon finished fourth. He was 6 3/4 lengths in arrears overall after running evenly in fifth or sixth. At the furlong marker, he was still sixth, but he lost 3 1/2 lengths on the leader from there on.
Mario Gutierrez: “This is my biggest win. It’s a great thrill.”
Doug O'Neill, winning trainer: “He’s an incredibly talented colt, and we decided to take a chance in here. We thought he could hit the board and we’d move forward, but he ran unbelievable. Mario gave him a great ride. He’s always trained fantastic, but we never saw this coming to be honest with you. This is incredible. We’ll look at the Santa Anita Derby if all goes well.
“Paul (Reddam) saw Mario ride about a month or so ago here and said, ‘If we ever get in trouble, think about using that kid.’ That’s how that came up. Then he came over and worked the horse; he worked great and it couldn’t have worked out any better. We just didn’t want to get into a head and head crazy duel, not get caught up in a speed duel, and he did just that.”
Assistant trainer Dennis O'Neill: “We bought him at the OBS in April of last year and we’ve loved him since day one. He trained like a really good horse from day one, trained like a two-turn horse from day one. He came out of his Saratoga race with sore shins, so when we got him back going, Paul said to take our time with him.
“We paid $35,000 for him. It’s great for Paul. Paul’s put a lot of money in the game, and this is fantastic for Paul.”
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
I'll Have Another debuted with a win going 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on July 3. He won on the lead but was pressed the whole way.
Aug. 7, Grade II Best Pal Stakes, Del Mar, 6 1/2 Furlongs. Creative Cause stalked dueling leaders I'll Have Another and Brigand until the top of the stretch where he moved to the outside and unleashed a rally to an easy, 1 3/4 victory. I'll Have Another, who broke from the outside post, held on well to be second, 3 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Mighty Monsoon, with Brigand a fading fourth, another 4 1/4 lengths back in the field of six. The race was timed in 1:15.62--very good--and the fastest time for the race since Polytrack was installed as Del Mar's main track surface in 2007.
Joel Rosario: “He ran a good race for me. He’s a nice horse. I got a little more pressure early than I wanted, but he was doing it fairly easy. The winner was just too good today. My horse, he’ll like it when they run farther.”
Sept. 5, Grade I Hopeful Stakes, Saratoga, Seven Furlongs. Maybe he didn't like the sloppy track, but then again, maybe that's not all there was to it. I'll Have Another finished sixth at 11-1 odds, beaten 19 lengths by Currency Swap, who was timed in 1:26.16.
OPTIMIZER (KY)
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Owner: Bluegrass Hall, LLC
Breeder: Bluegrass Hall, LLC
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): English Channel (Smart Strike (CAN), Belva)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Indy Pick (A.P. Indy, Fantastic Find)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 10-9-17-0-0 (36) 3.24
Foal Date: March 8, 2009
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On May 14, Optimizer breezed four on a sloppy track in :49.80 (14/25) at CD.
May 5, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Optimizer finished eleventh, beaten 12 lengths. The chart call: "Optimizer reserved early along the inside, steadied approaching the stretch after angling out a bit, moved back to the inside for the drive but could not threaten."
D. WAYNE LUKAS – “I know we stayed on the rail more than we needed to. I know that’s the shortest way around, but I didn’t want to be down there that long. I knew the trip was going to be key for us. They run it every year; I’m not going to worry about it.”
JON COURT – “The inside post hurt us, but it was a perfect trip. I just couldn't get him to the outside. I'm happy with his effort.”
April 14, Grade I Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Optimizer finished ninth, beaten 20 1/2 lengths by Bodemeister, who was timed in 1:48.71 after setting fractions of :23.02, :46.55, 1:11.36 and 1:36.74.
Jon Court: “A little rough leaving the gate, but my horse settled and got position. In the late going, I didn’t have as much horse as I hoped and couldn’t make up much ground.”
March 17, Grade II Rebel Stakes, Oaklawn Park, 1 1/16 Mile. Optimizer came running late to get up for second at 27-1 odds. Secret Circle won despite having less than a dream trip. Unbridled's Note scooted to the early lead, and he led the field into the first turn with Scatman in hot pursuit, followed closely by Cyber Secret and Secret Circle. The first quarter-mile was timed in :23.43. In the backstretch, Unbridled's Note and Scatman dueled for the lead while Cyber Secret rated behind them and Secret Circle was four wide and looking like he was threatening to fall back. Hitting the far turn, it was Unbridled's Note that began waving the white flag while Scatman went on, with Cyber Secret and Secret Circle still in pursuit. The half-mile went in :47.09, the first six furlongs in 1:11.42.
Scatman led as the field turned for home, but he wasn't shaking Secret Circle. With the latter one lugging out a bit, he slowly cut into Scatman's lead and took the lead with about 100 yards left. Just as that happened, Optimizer was closing ground with every stride to get up for second while Secret Circle held him safe, breaking up the Secret Circle-Scatman exacta.
D. Wayne Lukas: “We are real proud. We didn’t get beat by much – only about a half-length. They only get longer and tougher from here. That’s the way it goes.”
Jon Court: “I had to come four wide in the final drive. Two more jumps and I think I would have gotten there. I won three races today, and I think I would have traded them for this one. I’m not complaining because this horse is really nice.”
Feb. 25, Grade II Risen Star Stakes, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 Mile. Optimizer was tenth or eleventh at each call and finished ninth, beaten 13 lengths by El Padrino.
Feb. 19 NOTE: Optimizer wasn't entered in the Southwest.
Feb. 16 NOTE: It's hard to tell what's going on here. “He’s the best horse, to be sure,” said trainer Lukas. “A lot of the other horses have to improve, move forward and increase their figures, but talent-wise he’s already there. Problem is, the distance (of the Southwest) isn’t ideal for him. He’s doing really well. He needs more ground. He’s going to excel at a mile-and-an-eighth and at some point later, I think, a mile-and-a-quarter. So many horses in races like the Southwest are just milers. They are looking at a gut check later. We have to enter and take a look to see how we draw, because at this point he could be compromised.”
Feb. 12 NOTE: Now said to be probable for the Grade II Risen Star on Feb. 25.
Feb. 9 NOTE: “Optimizer’s work was outstanding,” trainer Lukas said. “I didn’t even see how fast it was relative to the others. I just know, boy, he looked really good.”
Feb. 7 NOTE: Pointing to the Southwest Stakes on Feb. 20.
Jan. 16, Smarty Jones Stakes, Oaklawn Park, One Mile. Optimizer finished sixth at 2-1 odds, a big disappointment for his barn and backers alike. He was beaten 6 3/4 lengths by Junebugred. He was sixth or seventh at each call under Terry Thompson. Early fractions were moderate.
The chart call: "Optimizer settled off the pace, continued evenly off the inside, lacked the necessary response in the drive."
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Optimizer has three starts with a win, a place and a show. The show was in his most recent race, the Grade I Dixiana Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. He has won a maiden race on turf at Saratoga and was second in the Grade II With Anticipation Stakes on turf at Saratoga. All three of these races were 1 1/16 mile.
Oct. 13 NOTE: He's said to be pointed to the Juvenile or Juvenile Turf.
Oct. 25 NOTE: Plan is for him to be in the Juvenile.
Nov. 5, Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. Optimizer ran eighth at odds of 32-1. He was beaten 11 lengths by the front-running Hansen, who was timed in 1:44.44. Optimizer started slowly and did not impact the race.
Nov. 26, Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 Mile. Optimizer finished fourth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Gemologist. Optimizer had a bad trip--he was four or five wide both turns, positioned seventh of 11 in the early going. In the stretch, this turned into a two-horse race with Gemologist wearing down Ever So Lucky from his outside. However, a late run by Timely Tally made it closer than it looked for second. Gemologist won by 1 3/4 length, while Timely Tally came from the clouds to get third, beaten two lengths for it all, and Optimizer stayed on for fourth.
Gemologist hit the wire in 1:44.46. Ever So Lucky set the early pace, then conceded it to Seve, then got back in front with six furlongs timed in 1:12.62. Meanwhile, Gemologist loomed at all times before siezing the lead past mid-stretch, and Timely Tally, ridden by Calvin Borel, came from last of 11 after six furlongs
PRETENSION (NY)
Trainer: Christopher Grove
Owner: Kidwells Petite Stable
Breeder: Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC & A. Lakin & Sons Inc.
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Bluegrass Cat (Storm Cat, She's a Winner)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Main Streetin' (Street Cry (IRE), Main Topic (CAN))
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-3-8-0-0 (16) 3.00
Foal Date: April 22, 2009
Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club
$75,000 OBS March 2011.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
May 5, Canonero II Stakes, Pimlico, 1 1/16 Mile. Pretension took it to the odds-on favorite My Adonis and beat him. Ridden by Javier Santiago, Pretension broke alertly but relinquished the lead to 1-5 favorite My Adonis as the field entered the first turn. Santiago kept after the favorite, pressing him closely to the top of the lane, where his mount edged to a narrow lead. He battled My Adonis into defeat, while Brimstone Island rallied past the favorite to take second. Pretension won by neck and completed the distance in 1:45.70. My Adonis had shipped from New Jersey to Louisville to Baltimore in only a few days' time.
Chris Grove: “If the travel time was going to bother him were going to take advantage of it. The plan was not to give him a breather and either go with him, which could be suicide, or take back, but take back didn’t seem to be the right avenue. We are going to be conservative and see how Mr. Kidwell sleeps on it, but if he gets excited, we could be Preakness bound. I don’t have a problem taking that route. If we were ever going to come back in two weeks, this would be it. He won over the track and looked good doing it.
“Edgar Prado said he would have finished third in the Gotham but he was riding to win. I always thought this horse was a little more advanced than Norman (Absjornson) at this stage and was hoping to get him to the Preakness.”
April 7, Grade III Illinois Derby, Hawthorne, 1 1/8 Mile. Pretension ran poorly in this race and finished ninth, beaten 13 1/4 lengths by Done Talking. His excuse was that he was steadied approaching the first turn and was five wide on the far turn.
March 3, Grade III Gotham Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/16 Mile. Pretension finished fifth, beaten 9 1/2 lengths by Hansen. He was in mid-pack early, inched up to third and then lost placements. The chart call: "Pretension saved ground, chased inside on the turn and continued on the rail through the stretch."
Feb. 11, Sweet Envoy Stakes, Aqueduct, One Mile 70 Yards. Swag Daddy was made the 3-5 favorite, but he finished second, beaten 1 1/4 length by Pretension, who was timed in 1:43.87. Swag Daddy was fifth of eight early, while Pretension was third or fourth. Pretension got the jump on Swag Daddy leaving the turn.
Jan. 4, Entry Level Allowance, Laurel, 1 1/16 Mile. Pretension was in second place, behind the leader Hakama at each call and finished second by 1 1/4 length. The winner was timed in 1:45.35. Five ran. Hakama's initial fractions were :24.66, :48.76 and 1:13.83.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Pretension won at first asking on Oct. 8 at Charles Town going 4 1/2 furlongs. He ran second to Oil Rig at Laurel going 5 1/2 second time, which was Nov. 11. Third and final race of the year yielded a second-by-a-head finish to Swag Daddy in the Damon Runyon Stakes at a mile and 70 yards.
TEETH OF THE DOG (KY)
Trainer: Michael Matz
Owner: J. W. Singer LLC
Breeder: Royal Pegasus
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Bluegrass Cat (Storm Cat, She's A Winner)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Deputy Reality (Deputy Minister (CAN), Halo Reality)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-3-8-0-0 (16) 3.00
Foal Date: March 20, 2009
$80,000 Keeneland September 2010.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On April 20, Teeth of the Dog breezed four in :48.80 (30/43) at KEE.
On April 29, Teeth of the Dog breezed five in 1:03 (1/2) at FAI.
On May 6, Teeth Of The Dog breezed five in 1:01.00 (1/2) at FAI.
On May 12, Teeth of the Dog breezed five in 1:01.00 (2/20) at FAI.
April 7, Grade I Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, 1 1/8 Mile. Gemologist, favored at 6-5, won, and Teeth of the Dog kept running late to finish third. Usually a forwardly-running influence, Gemologist was content to rate in third behind a pace set by The Lumber Guy, who led the field through rank fractions of :23.04, :47.56 and 1:12. My Adonis was positioned in second until the field turned for home, closer to the early pace than many expected. Leaving the far turn, both My Adonis and Gemologist moved to overtake The Lumber Guy, and both did. But Gemologist soon put away My Adonis and then held off an advancing Alpha, the 2-1 second choice. Gemologist was timed in 1:50.96, with Alpha only a neck back in second. Teeth of the Dog was beaten 3 1/4 lengths after running the final three furlongs evenly.
Feb. 4, Maiden Special Weight, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Went the Day Well finished fourth, but he was beaten 1 1/2 length by Teeth of the Dog. The running time was 1:51.03. Went the Day Well was off slowly but made up 2 1/2 lengths on the leader from the furlong marker to the finish line. Teeth of the Dog was timed in 1:51.03.
Jan. 7, Maiden Special Weight, Gulfstream Park, One Mile. Unbridled Minister and Manny Cruz bided their time in sixth of 11, then fifth, while stalking behind fractions of :24.21 and :46.98--remember, the timer is really close to the gate at this distance at GP. Meawhile, Teeth of the Dog and Tiz Yankee vied for the lead. Unbridled Minister got by those two late in the game to prevail by three parts of a length, and the other two ran on to be second and third. The winning time was 1:37.75.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
Teeth of the Dog ran once, finishing third to One Sock Down at Gulfstream Park in a six-furlong maiden special weight on Dec. 8. He was sixth of eight at each call and was beaten 9 1/2 lengths.
TIGER WALK (KY)
Trainer: Ignacio Correas, IV
Owner: Sagamore Farm
Breeder: River Bend Farm Inc.
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Tale of the Cat (Storm Cat, Yarn)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Majestic Trail (Kris S, Personal Glory)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 6-4-15-1-0 (26) 2.06
Foal Date: April 10, 2009
Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club
No auction history.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On April 21, Tiger Walk breezed four in :48.00 (1/16) at PIM.
On April 29, Tiger Walk breezed five in 1:01.40 (2/2) at PIM.
On May 6, Tiger Walk breezed five in 1:02.20 (2/3) at PIM.
On May 13, Tiger Walk breezed four in :47.60 (1/4) at PIM.
April 27 NOTE: Pointing to the Preakness. “We have made a few changes with him,” trainer Correas said. “He seems to lose interest midway through races and then comes back with a run, so we are going to add blinkers. The last time he worked, he had them on and looked pretty good. He is improving but certainly needs to step up to compete at the highest level. He is going to need to with the added 1/16th of a mile, but that could play to his favor because he looks like he can run all day.”
April 7, Grade I Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, 1 1/8 Mile. Tiger Walk finished fourth again, from eight runners. He was pretty much seventh until the final eighth mile, which he finished with some interest. Gemologist beat him five lengths. John Velazquez had the mount.
March 3, Grade III Gotham Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/16 Mile. Tiger Walk finished fourth, while Hansen defeated him by nine lengths. My Adonis was second, beaten three lengths, and Finnegans Wake headed Tiger Walk for the show. Tiger Walk was four wide early. He advanced from tenth place in the early going but lost about four lengths on the leader in the process.
Feb. 12, Grade III Withers Stakes, Aqueduct, 1 1/16 Mile. Tiger Walk hit the finish line third, beaten five lengths by Alpa, who was timed in 1:44 1/5. He was four lengths off the lead after a half-mile and was in a drive over a quarter-mile from the finish line.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
After two off-the-board finishes on turf at Saratoga -- one sprint, one two-turn race -- Tiger Walk won his third start going a mile on turf at Laurel on Nov. 3. On Dec. 14, he won on the dirt, also at Laurel, and also running one mile. He was four wide and very handy in the win.
WENT THE DAY WELL (NY)
Trainer: Graham Motion
Owner: Team Valor International and Mark Ford
Breeder: James Patrick Delaney
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Proud Citizen (Gone West, Drums of Freedom)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Tiz Maie's Day (Tiznow, Sweet Roberta)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 4-1-11-0-0 (16) 1.91
Foal Date: Feb. 21, 2009
Photo by Bob Mayberger/Eclipse Sportswire Inc.
$15,000 November 2009
$43,385 Tattersalls October 2010.
Private purchase 75% interest TVI.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
May 5, Grade I Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 Mile. Went the Day Well finished fourth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths by I'll Have Another. The chart call: "Went the Day Well bumped at the start, was outrun for a half four wide, angled in into the second turn, moved back out seven wide entering the stretch and closed well between rivals."
GRAHAM MOTION – “Johnny said he just had a tough trip. As good a trip as he got last year, he had a tough trip this year. He galloped out in front.”
JOHN VELAZQUEZ – “We didn’t break out of there well, and it was screwed up from there on. I was actually just beating Julien (Union Rags) into the first turn, so that’s how far back we were. The horse next to me clipped heels coming out of the gate, so now I’ve got to steady and go inside of him. We go to the first turn and he gets pushed over and I have to steady again. Now I’m far back with Julien. Now I have to go around the horse in the first turn, got outrun three-wide, went back to the inside, and I got a good trip from there, but I was so far back I couldn’t make up that much ground, no way, not on this kind of track the way it is today.”
Does that make this one of the worst Derby trips you’ve had? “Nah, not at all, are you kidding? I just got shut off and I lost my position twice, but in the first quarter-mile. There were a couple Derbys where I clipped heels and was practically on the ground. This was not my worst trip, but it was a bad trip.”
March 24, Grade III Spiral Stakes, Turfway Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Went the Day Well stalked the pace under John Velazquez before making a winning move heading into the stretch. Heavy Breathing, the 2-1 favorite, took the field through early fractions of :23.10, :46.98 and 1:11.86. Ill Conceived, Went the Day Well and Tizanexpense pursued up the backstretch. Rounding the far turn, Went the Day Well and 25-1 longshot Holiday Promise began threatening Heavy Breathing. With a furlong left, Went the Day Well had the lead for good. He won the race by 3 1/2 lengths. Heavy Breathing hit the wire a length behind Holiday Promise, followed another two lengths back by Handsome Mike, who trailed the field in the early going after breaking from post 12. The race was timed in 1:51.33. Went the Day Well won $282,000.
Barry Irwin, Team Valor: "Based on what Johnny said, we might want to run him one more time. The Lexington. I've got to talk to Graham, so that's off the top of my head. If this horse hadn't gotten stuck in quarantine 10 days extra, he'd run one more time. He's going (to the Kentucky Derby). This horse runs on the dirt. This horse trained every day of his career (last year) on Polytrack. He runs on this stuff. I would take this horse (over the other three 3-year-olds we own). He wants to run a mile and a quarter, that is for sure.
"Lucky Chappy's gone to Dubai. We're not going to run him there and then run him (in the Derby). That would be far-fetched. I'm sure if he won, some of my partners would want to do it, but I might have to put a few of them in straight jackets.
Do you think John Velazquez is committed to ride this horse in the Derby? "I have no idea. Let's face it, there are some really damn good horses. No jock in his right mind is going to commit right now unless he's riding Union Rags or something. When it comes to the Derby, there are really no loyalties.
Graham Motion: "I was very impressed with him. He was in a tight spot, and Johnny got him out of there. I thought this horse was explosive today." Will he race again before the Derby? "I think that the beauty of this race is that you have the option of running again or not running again. I feel confident (about the Derby), and I would not have told you that last year, necessarily. It's going to be a question of giving him a week to see how he comes out of it. The Lexington is the only option (if he races again before the Derby). He'll stay at Keeneland."
John Velazquez: "He did everything great today. I thought he was going to be a little farther back, but the track is playing pretty fast so I didn't want to be too far back, so he got a good position going into the first turn, and I took advantage of that -- saved all the ground and pulled him out at the quarter pole. When he got to the lead, he started waiting and lugging in, and then he just went on. He still doesn't know very much. You can tell, as soon as he pulled out at the quarter pole and he found himself on the lead, he didn't know what to do. I think this horse will go all day."
March 3, Maiden Special Weight, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/16 Mile. Went the Day Well skipped the Battaglia Memorial and broke his maiden with a nice stalking trip and good stretch move. He was timed in 1:44.78 and beat Tiz Yankee by 1 1/4 length under Javier Castellano.
March 1 NOTE: Went the Day Well wasn't entered in the Gotham. He's in the fourth at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight.
Feb. 25 NOTE: “Went The Day Well has blossomed as hoped for following his U.S. and dirt debut and will be flown Wednesday to New York, where Edgar Prado will ride him in the Gotham Stakes. I don't ever recall running a maiden in a graded race, but we are running out of time with him to make the classics, a result of him having been stuck in quarantine an extra ten days,” Barry Irwin told Bloodhorse.com.
Feb. 4, Maiden Special Weight, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 Mile. Went the Day Well finished fourth, beaten 1 1/2 length by Teeth of the Dog. The running time was 1:51.03. Went the Day Well was off slowly but made up 2 1/2 lengths on the leader from the furlong marker to the finish line. He was 3-1 in a seven-horse field. Edgar Prado was up.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
In his debut at Haydock Park on Sept. 24, Went the Day Well got away slowly but finished well for second place in a one-mile race on turf.
His second start came on Oct. 11 at Leicester going a mile and 60 yards on turf, and he finished second by a head after getting the lead late. Went the Day Well was brought back over to the U.S.
ZETTERHOLM (NY)
Trainer: Rick Dutrow, Jr.
Owner: Winter Park Partners
Breeder: Anthony Grey
Sire (Sire's Sire, Dam): Silver Train (Old Trieste, Ridden Inthestars)
Dam (Dam's Sire, Dam): Holy Wish (Lord at War (ARG), Holy Moly)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 3-2-9-0-0 (14) 2.11
Foal Date: April 26, 2009
Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club
No auction history.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE THREE
On April 20. Zetterholm breezed four in :49.20 (7/15) at AQU.
On April 26, Zetterholm breezed five in 1:01.80 (2/3) at AQU.
On May 5, Zetterholm breezed six in 1:13.60 (2/3) at AQU.
On May 13, Zetterholm breezed five in 1:01.40 (1/2) at PIM.
April 6, Patsyprospect Stakes, Aqueduct, One Mile. Restricted to New York-breds, the Patsyprospect was won by Zetterholm. He was best of five, winning by 2 1/4 lengths over Sportswriter with Junior Alvarado up. The time was 1:37.75.
March 4, Enty Level Allowance, Aqueduct, One Mile 70 Yards. Zetterholm won for the second time, going the distance in 1:42.12. Under Junior Alvarado, he was last of nine, 5 1/4 lengths back, after a half-mile.
Feb. 4, Maiden Special Weight, Aqueduct, One Mile 70 Yards. Zetterholm broke his maiden at 9-5 odds, winning by 1 3/4 length over Pearl of Wisdom. The winning time was 1:45.32. Zetterholm came from sixth of 10, in sixth place at the first call.
Jan. 7, Maiden Special Weight, Aqueduct, One Mile. Zetterholm finished second to Readytodefer, beaten seven lengths to a time of 1:40.78.
PERFORMANCE AT AGE TWO
On Nov. 27, Zetterholm finished eleventh in his debut, a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Calder.
